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Tyres have a difficult job on gravel bikes. They should roll easily, safely and smoothly on the road and offer good grip off the tarmac. A slick tyre would actually be ideal for the road, whereas a tyre with pronounced studs would be ideal for loose or slippery ground. But how do you marry both worlds in such a way that you can switch from tarmac to gravel, dirt and back again without any noticeable deficits? To get to the bottom of this question, we asked the tyre manufacturers to send us their fastest gravel bike tyre and the best all-rounder. We then extensively tested the six pairs of tyres for gravel use in the road test and laboratory to shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the various rubbers.
Riding gravel bike tyres tubeless: But with how much air pressure?
The first question that arises is: How much air should the tyre actually contain? The manufacturers' specifications vary, from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 3.5 bar (Kenda) to a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 bar (Vittoria). Our road tests showed: 2 bar is ideal off-road, 4 bar makes a 40-millimetre-wide tyre really hard. As soon as the surface becomes uneven, the pressure has to be lowered, otherwise the tyre will jump. Nothing brings as much safety off-road as an adapted tyre pressure that is as low as possible. Whether it's gravel or forest tracks, everything works better with less air in the tyres. Slippery bends become more controllable and the tyres grip better both uphill and downhill.
In our opinion, Kenda's recommendation is therefore correct. 3 bar with a tube is a compromise, we rode better with 1.9/ 2.2 bar front/rear and without a tube (with a 70-kilogram rider). Background: The inner tube breaks easily at low pressure if it is pinched at the rim flange. The casing is more stable and can be ridden safely without a tube ("tubeless") even with less air. All tyres in the test can be ridden without an inner tube. To do this, valves must be screwed directly into the sealed rims and the tyres fitted with sealant. The initial fitting is not always easy, but a professional can do it in a few minutes - if in doubt, ask your dealer. After that, you only need to re-inflate the tyres occasionally and add sealing milk every six months.
Gravel bike tyres in the TOUR test
On gravel bikes, it is better to ride tyres without inner tubes
The true fun potential of gravel bike tyres, which are also better protected against punctures, is only revealed when they are equipped in this way. The best all-rounders roll flawlessly on tarmac, are easy to control and grip surprisingly well off-road. Above all, Continental's Terra Speed model. Its lugs are barely noticeable on the road, but bite hard off-road. The fast rubber compound allows the tyre to roll like a racing bike tyre - even with little air. The rolling resistance on the road only increases by a meagre 3 watts when the pressure is lowered from 3 to 2 bar. Off-road, the low pressure only has advantages. When pedalling on the road, 2 bar feels rather too plush, and the accuracy when turning into corners suffers. Everyone has to find out for themselves what suits their personal style and route mix best.
Schwalbe's G-One Allround is also a very good all-rounder. The coarser-profiled G-One Bite is the better compromise when more terrain comes under the tyres. Kenda's Boost Pro is the best off-road tyre - but on the road it changes very unharmoniously from straight ahead to lean angle and also rolls poorly. The majority of tyres lie between these extremes. On all models, lugs on the tyre shoulders ensure grip when leaning; with little air, traction is also good when climbing and braking. In the centre of the tyre, the tread is sometimes more, sometimes less pronounced. However, the rolling resistance depends more on the rubber compound: The fastest tyres in the test even have a continuous tread in the centre of the tyre. In the table on the following pages you will find all the details about the tyres in condensed form and can pick your favourite for your usage profile.
12 gravel bike tyres in the test
We tested these 12 gravel bike models from the leading tyre manufacturers.
How TOUR tests gravel bike tyres
TOUR carried out all tests independently of the tyre manufacturers' test facilities in its own laboratory. We are the only magazine to measure rolling resistance with our own equipment. We have tested the rolling resistance on gravel and road surfaces with an oscillating pendulum and at different tyre pressures. This provides an indication of the quality of the rubber compounds and profiles.
Gravel bike tyres should have the lowest possible rolling resistance even at low pressure. We determined the cut resistance as a measure of puncture protection separately for the centre and side of the tyre by driving a metal blade through the tyres and measuring the forces required to do so. In the practical test, we rode the tyres on different surfaces: Tarmac, pavement, gravel and forest paths alternated.
The gravel bike tyres tested in detail
Gravel bike tyres on test: Continental Terra Speed
- ModelTerra Speed
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturermax. 5 bar
- Price per piece: 57,90 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height40 x 37 millimetres
- Weight: 400 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*: 23,3 / 24,8 / 27,7 Watt
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*35.0 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side: 503 / 204 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 1,0
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 1,0
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 1,0
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 2,0
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 2,7
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 2,0
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 2,0
- Road feel 10 % Grade 1,0
Overall grade (100 %) 1.4
Test summary of the Continental Terra Speed
The test winner in this comparison test of gravel bike tyres! Combines exemplary grip with very low rolling resistance. Very light, yet good puncture protection. The delicate lugs probably wear out relatively quickly.
Gravel bike tyres on test: Continental Terra Trail
- ModelTerra Trail
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturermax. 5 bar
- Price per piece: 57,90 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height40 x 37 millimetres
- Weight: 457 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*: 32,9 / 34,2 / 38,7 Watt
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*: 45,9 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side501 / 207 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 2,0
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 3,0
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 3,0
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 2,0
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 2,7
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 1,0
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 1,0
- Road feel 10 % Grade 2,5
Overall grade (100%) 2.3
Test summary of the Continental Terra Trail
The Terra Trail gravel bike tyre from Continental grips like a cross tyre and still rides comfortably on the road. Rolls well for a tyre in this class. Good when terrain is predominant.
Gravel bike tyres on test: Kenda Alluvium Pro
- Model: Alluvium Pro
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturer2.0 - 3.5 bar
- Price per piece64,95 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height43 x 41 millimetres
- Weight: 515 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*31.8 / 34.8 / 41.9 watts
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*: 47.2 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side: 415 / 216 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 3,3
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 3,3
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 2,7
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 3,3
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 2,7
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 2,0
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 2,0
- Road feel 10 % Grade 1,0
Overall grade (100%) 2.6
Test summary of the Kenda Alluvium Pro
The Kenda tyre is surprisingly capable off-road. The shoulder lugs bite hard in all riding conditions. Good road feel. Tubeless mounting difficult, the tyre is very wide.
Gravel bike tyres on test: Kenda Boost Pro
- ModelBoost Pro
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturer3.1 - 5.2 bar
- Price per piece64,95 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height: 38 x 38 millimetres
- Weight: 433 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*38.1 / 41.7 / 48.2 watts
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*: 52.8 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side370 / 201 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 1,3
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 4,3
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 4,0
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 4,3
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 2,7
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 1,0
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 1,0
- Road feel 10 % Grade 4,0
Overall grade (100%) 3.2
Test summary of the Kenda Boost Pro
Gravel bike fun tyre with ultimate off-road grip, but borderline on asphalt. Bites through everywhere, even on soft ground. The Kenda tyre is also too wide.
Gravel bike tyres on test: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H
- ModelCinturato Gravel H
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturer2.5 - 4.5 bar
- Price per piece59,90 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height41 x 37 millimetres
- Weight: 501 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*: 25,5 / 26,9 / 31,6 Watt
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*: 38,4 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side395 / 196 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 3,0
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 1,7
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 1,3
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 3,7
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 3,0
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 3,0
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 3,5
- Road feel 10 % Grade 1,0
Overall grade (100%) 2,2
Test summary of the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H
Fast minimalist with very good road feel. Surprisingly good off-road traction when leaning, more limited straight ahead.
Gravel bike tyres on test: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M
- ModelCinturato Gravel M
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturer2.5 - 4.5 bar
- Price per piece59,90 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height41 x 40 millimetres
- Weight: 514 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*31.4 / 34.5 / 39.3 watts
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*: 45,7 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side: 474 / 199 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 3,3
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 3,0
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 2,7
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 2,3
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 3,0
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 1,0
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 1,0
- Road feel 10 % Grade 2,0
Overall grade (100%) 2,4
Test summary of the Cinturato Gravel M:
Powerful, open tread pattern, grabs firmly even on soft ground. Good self-cleaning. Pleasant road feel, rolls satisfactorily.
Gravel bike tyres on test: Schwalbe G One Allround
- ModelG One Allround
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturer: 3 - 5 bar
- Price per piece59,90 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height: 38 x 35 millimetres
- Weight: 487 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*: 22,8 / 24,2 / 27,9 Watt
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*: 36,0 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side: 406 / 211 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 2,7
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 1,0
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 1,0
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 3,7
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 2,7
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 2,5
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 3,0
- Road feel 10 % Grade 1,0
Overall grade (100%) 1,9
Test summary of the Schwalbe G One Allround
Trendsetter and still the fastest gravel bike tyre with perfect road feel. The Schwalbe G One Allround is ideal when road predominates in the mix.
Gravel bike tyres on test: Schwalbe G One Bite
- ModelG One Bite
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturer: 3 - 5 bar
- Price per piece59,90 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height40 x 37 millimetres
- Weight: 494 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*: 25,4 / 26,9 / 31,3 Watt
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*: 40,4 Watt
Cut resistance tread / side414 / 231 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 2,7
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 2,0
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 1,3
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 3,3
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 2,3
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 1,0
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 1,0
- Road feel 10 % Grade 2,0
Overall grade (100%) 1.9
Conclusion on the Schwalbe G One Bite:
More bite than the Schwalbe G-One and still convincingly easy rolling. A good compromise when there's more terrain than road to tackle.
Gravel bike tyres on test: Vittoria Terreno Zero
- ModelTerreno Zero
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturer3-6 bar
- Price per piece: 48,95 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height40 x 37 millimetres
- Weight: 458 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*: 29,1 / 30,5 / 34,5 Watt
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*: 40,6 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side: 430 / 135 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 2,0
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 2,0
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 2,0
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 3,0
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 4,0
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 3,0
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 3,5
- Road feel 10 % Grade 1,0
Overall grade (100%) 2.4
ConclusionTipping dynamically and sportily in bends. Rolls quietly. Shoulder studs grip hard when required. Sensitive sidewall.
Gravel bike tyres on test: Vittoria Terreno Dry
- ModelTerreno Dry
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturer2.5-6 bar
- Price per piece: 48,95 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height42 x 41 millimetres
- Weight: 491 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*: 29,3 / 30,4 / 34,5 Watt
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*41.2 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side416 / 149 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 2,7
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 2,0
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 2,0
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 3,3
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 3,7
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 2,0
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 2,5
- Road feel 10 % Grade 1,0
Overall grade (100%) 2.2
Test summary of the Vittoria Terreno Dry:
Slightly grippier than the Zero, with comparably good rolling values - therefore the better compromise in mixed terrain. Sensitive sidewall.
Gravel bike tyres on test: WTB Byway
- ModelByway
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturer2.1-4.1 bar
- Price per piece: 54,95 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height: 38 x 35 millimetres
- Weight: 428 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*32 / 34.1 / 40.3 watts
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*: 45,5 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side403 / 227 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 1,3
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 3,0
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 2,7
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 3,7
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 2,3
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 3,5
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 4,0
- Road feel 10 % Grade 1,5
Overall grade (100%) 2.8
Test conclusionRolls quietly on tarmac, but not really fast: The rubber compound is therefore not trimmed for low rolling resistance. Some bite when leaning.
Gravel bike tyres on test: WTB Venture
- Model: Venture
- Recommended air pressure Manufacturer2.1-4.1 bar
- Price per piece: 54,95 Euro >> available here
Measured values
- Dimension width x height41 x 37 millimetres
- Weight: 525 gram
- Rolling resistance road at 4 / 3 / 2 bar*: 42,7 / 41,3 / 45,5 Watt
- Rolling resistance gravel at 2 bar*: 59,0 Watt
- Cut resistance tread / side380 / 170 Newton
Valuation
- Weight 10 % Grade 3,7
- Rolling resistance gravel 20 % Grade 5,0
- Rolling resistance road 25 % Grade 4,0
- Cut resistance Tread 10 % Grade 4,0
- Cut resistance side wall 5 % Grade 3,3
- Grip gravel 10 % Grade 2,0
- Grip Earth 10 % Grade 1,0
- Road feel 10 % Grade 3,0
Overall grade (100%) 3.5
Conclusion: Off-road specialist. The soft sipe profile rolls noticeably on the road and increases rolling resistance on all surfaces. Good grip.
* Rolling resistance based on 30 km/h at 90 kg system weight
