For the type of riding you’re describing I think volume is more important than tread, so I wouldn’t shy away from slicks. Tubeless is probably the way to go if your rims are compatible. In addition to the two tires you mentioned I’ve been running Pirelli Cinturato velos, which are tough but still pretty quick. I get nervous running gp5000s full time but if you’ve had good luck those are hard to beat.

Conti has a new 5000 All Season which is more grippy, thicker tread and better puncture resistance for only a marginal loss in rolling resistance. It's tubeless but you can just run it with tubes.

I get nervous running gp5000s full time but if you’ve had good luck those are hard to beat.


I've been riding the same gravel - smooth small aggregate rail-trails and not too bad gravel roads with 700 x 25 Conti 5000 GPS and having no more issues with them than when riding on regular roads - the usual 1 - 3 on-the-road flats that I get in any typical year. Albeit I do need to be a bit more careful with the 25's - keep a bit of an eye out for the odd bigger chunk of gravel or pothole with some sharp edges - I'm not setting any world records here , just connecting up some of my normal road riding routes with some non-paved riding options. That's why I was thinking the Conti GP 5000's in a 32 might be OK.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Probably fine. I've done BWR on 5000s/3000s with no grip or flatting issues.

For anything wet or deep sand, I'd want a true off-road tire. But for light "gravel" seems just fine to me.

 
For anything wet or deep sand


Generally speaking if it's wet I'm not heading out. Sorry lived in Vancouver for 10 years and rode enough in the rain and the wet there to last a life-time. Now - getting caught in the rain once out for a ride . . that's different. I'll not bail on the ride and head home - I will finish it up!

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

You might be able to run some Vittoria Corsa N.EXT G2.0 TLR in 34mm depending on what wheels you have. A little slower but would make a good compromise for your riding conditions