How to choose tires, pressure, inserts and others for your gravel bike?

Choosing the right tire for your gravel truck is not easy, since it will depend on factors such as the terrain, the weather, the objectives we have, our experience and even what we plan to do. Below, we leave you some considerations when choosing your next tire:

1. Tire width I think this is where we find one of the main questions and where we see the biggest changes as gravel evolves. Gravel tires vary in width; We can find from 33c to 55c (equivalent to 2.25 inches in MTB measurements). Width influences comfort, stability, safety, traction and handling on different surfaces. The wider the tires, the more traction and stability they tend to offer on uneven terrain. In contrast, thinner ones may be faster on smooth terrain. Nowadays, speed is related to feeling comfortable on the bike and stability; On the road, they have increased the width focusing on better contact with the terrain, less vibration and greater grip, following a similar trend as gravel.

2. Tire tread design The design varies depending on the type of terrain for which the tire is designed, as well as the spacing and height of the treads. In general, tires with more pronounced, that is, more aggressive, knobs or knobs are ideal for loose and technical terrain such as gravel, hard-coated roads or trails. Smoother designs are better for paved surfaces and better quality for gravel. There is no one better than the other; The choice will depend on what we are looking for and the places where we usually walk.

3. Protection against punctures Without a doubt, this topic deserves a specific post and we will address it later. Using systems to reduce the chances of punctures is crucial, although there is no definitive answer. It will depend on the feeling we like to have with our bike, the type of terrain we generally ride on and our driving style. It is important to evaluate compatibility with our wheels and tires, as well as use a system that does not absorb too much tubular fluid and test the appropriate pressure. Although there are various brands and measures, nothing guarantees completely avoiding punctures, but these systems usually allow you to continue walking for a while after a puncture.

4. Tire inflation pressure Another very relevant aspect when using tires, since this choice will directly affect performance, safety, stability and our experience on the bike. The good thing is that we can adjust the pressure depending on the terrain, weather conditions, our driving style and the format we are in. Adjusting the pressure for a calm start is not the same as for a race. Wider tires allow for lower pressures for better shock absorption and traction on loose terrain, as opposed to thinner tires that will need a higher pressure to avoid blowouts or punctures. There are tools to find the approximate pressure, but it is a very personal choice that must be tried, since it depends a lot on each riding style, technical level, weight of the rider, tires and other factors. Spending a day testing and understanding how the bike feels at different pressures can make a big difference in our gravel riding.

In conclusion, if you were expecting a specific answer, you won't find it here. We firmly believe that each rider should learn to understand their riding style, choose tires, adjust the pressure and test, test and keep testing. Without a doubt, experimentation makes a difference and makes you a better gravel rider, with greater knowledge, understanding of your style, technical ability, recognition of types of terrain and priorities when riding.

Photos by Claudio Olguín.