"Gravel" riding here in middle TN is mostly dirt roads, lots of creek crossings with rocky bottoms, short steep climbs up the ridges that separate the creeks. I've done several rides on and old HT mtb with fat knobbies. Seemed like overkill. I've now built up an old Cannondale ST and will hopefully try it out this weekend. I have Vittoria rando pros that are 37 nominally but actually measure 32. I was a little disappointed to find that this is as wide as I can fit on the ST, chainstays being the tight spot. I have a Sugino triple with a 26t small ring, nine speed cassette with 28t large cog. I've ordered an 11-32 cassette just in case. Should be interesting.