Fastest 35mm or 38mm tires
#52
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My 32mm nominal Continental GP5000 S TR measure 34.5mm actual on my 25mm internal width rims. They are much faster, much more durable, and a much better tire than the RH tires. I would not mount a RH tubeless for safety reasons but with a latex tube, they are smooth and comfortable and reasonably fast.
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#53
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Another tire that’s slightly undersized from what the OP requested but which should be pretty wicked on the road is the Ultradynamico Cava Race 33.??. It’s got a super-supple casing which I’d run with TPU rather than monkeying around with tubeless, and it’s also superlight at a claimed 295g.
I have some of their Mars Race rubber, and they strike me as quite nice for knobbies, so I’d not hesitate to try the Cava Race were I looking for a light, wide, fast road tire.
I have some of their Mars Race rubber, and they strike me as quite nice for knobbies, so I’d not hesitate to try the Cava Race were I looking for a light, wide, fast road tire.
#54
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The local bike store stocks Panaracer Gravel King SS ("semi slick") and says they are popular. The label says 410 grams in 38mm.
I considered these for replacing my Compass Barlow Pass ultra light that had a bulge. But for mostly road riding, it probably doesn't corner or roll quite as well as a pure slick. It would be better on unpaved roads with a somewhat loose surface.
They also had Gravel King Slick in stock, and these looked good. Lightweight, seemed to be very flexible. Minimal file tread.
Much less expensive than my Compass / RH was.
I'm going to replace the failed tire with one of these.
I considered these for replacing my Compass Barlow Pass ultra light that had a bulge. But for mostly road riding, it probably doesn't corner or roll quite as well as a pure slick. It would be better on unpaved roads with a somewhat loose surface.
They also had Gravel King Slick in stock, and these looked good. Lightweight, seemed to be very flexible. Minimal file tread.
Much less expensive than my Compass / RH was.
I'm going to replace the failed tire with one of these.
#56
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The local bike store stocks Panaracer Gravel King SS ("semi slick") and says they are popular. The label says 410 grams in 38mm.
I considered these for replacing my Compass Barlow Pass ultra light that had a bulge. But for mostly road riding, it probably doesn't corner or roll quite as well as a pure slick. It would be better on unpaved roads with a somewhat loose surface.
They also had Gravel King Slick in stock, and these looked good. Lightweight, seemed to be very flexible. Minimal file tread.
Much less expensive than my Compass / RH was.
I'm going to replace the failed tire with one of these.
I considered these for replacing my Compass Barlow Pass ultra light that had a bulge. But for mostly road riding, it probably doesn't corner or roll quite as well as a pure slick. It would be better on unpaved roads with a somewhat loose surface.
They also had Gravel King Slick in stock, and these looked good. Lightweight, seemed to be very flexible. Minimal file tread.
Much less expensive than my Compass / RH was.
I'm going to replace the failed tire with one of these.
GK SS has side ‘knobs’ so it is more versatile (than GK slick) - weighs a tad more than the GK slick - and is more puncture resistant
the last pair of 38 mm GK SS I purchased were around 415 g (each) ... the ‘pansy blue’ version
*** 32 mm GK slick might be an exception due to tread thickness / construction
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I may have already piped in with my tubeless experience, but they started leaking a lot of air after about a year and the beads became loose on the rim.
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Well, I just pulled the trigger on a pair of Teravail Rampart 38's based on some reviews I read. Hope they don't suck! LOL
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#60
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I went with the Panaracer GK SS. I wanted a bit more protection when I go off road and weighing in at 250 (solid steel) I think I need all the help I can get. They roll good and they are so much more quieter on my trainer. I mounted them tubleess and had to give them a little burst of air to snap them into the groove, very easy. Time will tell in the long run. Much appreciation to all the input!
Last edited by Breadfan; 07-26-23 at 04:59 AM.
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I went with the Panaracer GK SS. I wanted a bit more protection when I go off road and weighing in at 250 (solid steel) I think I need all the help I can get. They roll good and they are so much more quieter on my trainer. I mounted them tubleess and had to give them a little burst of air to snap them into the groove, very easy. Time will tell in the long run. Much appreciation to all the input!
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I like the GK Semi Slick and have worn out multiple sets now between the girl & me. We run 38’s, not the plus version, and have off road toured and raced on them for 3+ years. We run them TL with Stan’s, 35-40 psi and they’ve been trouble free. I was previously a fan of Paselas for gravel but the GK’s feel faster and lighter plus they’re TL ready. My experience with BonJons was short lived. The sidewalls just didn’t hold up to rocky trails and midwest gravel. I ran them with tubes and repaired sidewalls several times before giving up and learning an expensive lesson. They might be fine for pea gravel but worthless for adventures in chunky style. The Gravelkings in comparison seem bulletproof.
#63
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I like the GK Semi Slick and have worn out multiple sets now between the girl & me. We run 38’s, not the plus version, and have off road toured and raced on them for 3+ years. We run them TL with Stan’s, 35-40 psi and they’ve been trouble free. I was previously a fan of Paselas for gravel but the GK’s feel faster and lighter plus they’re TL ready. My experience with BonJons was short lived. The sidewalls just didn’t hold up to rocky trails and midwest gravel. I ran them with tubes and repaired sidewalls several times before giving up and learning an expensive lesson. They might be fine for pea gravel but worthless for adventures in chunky style. The Gravelkings in comparison seem bulletproof.
#64
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I went with the Panaracer GK SS. I wanted a bit more protection when I go off road and weighing in at 250 (solid steel) I think I need all the help I can get. They roll good and they are so much more quieter on my trainer. I mounted them tubleess and had to give them a little burst of air to snap them into the groove, very easy. Time will tell in the long run. Much appreciation to all the input!