DOS

Our group's annual century is this weekend and this year will include one stretch of gravel. What if any adjustments to tires and such would folks recommend. I will be riding my CAAD 10 with HED Belgium+ 25 mm rims so wheels are plenty beefy. The tires on the bike are 25mm Schwalbe One that blow up to about 27mm on the fat HED rims. My options:

Go to a wider set of tires that don't roll quite as well on pavement as the Schwalbes (Michelin Pro 4 endurance 28mm)

Back off pressure on the Schwalbes by a bit

Just ride and dont worry about it.

10 Wheels

Post a pic of the gravel section.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Bike...chC7cQ_AUIBigB

redfooj

not all gravel is the same

i ride em on 25mm Ones with nary an issue

DOS

I haven't a clue what the section is like. I suspect pretty well maintained and passable since the area, while not quite suburban, isn't exactly rural either. Based on profile of the route, and the fact that it loops around a small mountain (Specifically Sugarloaf Mt in Maryland) seems there will be rollers.

DOS

This is the way I am leaning, maybe drop 5lbs or so on tne pressure.

PepeM

I wouldn't change anything, you'll spend far more time on pavement than on gravel.

10 Wheels

Take a trip,out there in your vehicle and See what it looks like.

mcours2006

If the gravel is anything like the trail I ride on--fine gravel/packed limestone, then you'd be fine with 25mm. Lowered pressure would help on the corners if there are any, but if it's straight then don't worry about even that.

But when I think 'gravel' I am thinking of big chunks of rock that would hurt if I were to walk on it barefoot, in which case, you probably need knobbly MTB tires. :-D

Rowan

Ride it with what you have and pay attention to where you point the bike (ie, don't get distracted by someone else riding with you... pick your own lines). Oh, and moderate your speed a bit if things look like they might get rough.

Hypno Toad

This ^^^

I've done two gravel century on 28mm T-Servs. One was just fine; the other one had me swearing endlessly about my tire choice.

I ride short sections of gravel on my 23mm Rubinos all the time without a second thought.

himespau 

One thing to consider, will your CAAD take anything wider than what you've got on there now?

TenGrainBread 

Go for 28s. Good ones will be better on both pavement and gravel than 25s. Let out some air for the gravel section.

If I were you I'd spring for something nice like a Compass tire or Soma's Supple Vitesse.

Homebrew01

yes

Doge

I'd back off pressure a bit (80psi for 150lb rider) if there are no rocks/holes to flat spot you. If gravel is at the end - do it before the gravel section.
The best setup would be tubulars with big tires....but that was not your option.

RPK79

I've been on gravel roads that are smoother than asphalt.

TimothyH

Problem solved.

Don't drive there to look at it. Don't change tires or pressure. Don't even give it another thought.

I ride a road bike on gravel all the time. Just have fun. Your wheels and tires will be fine and the gravel is likely to be the most enjoyable part of the day.