My wife is giving her body a break from running and has entered a low key gravel event. She has no interest in buying a new bike and is interested in riding my old mint condition GT I Drive 22lbs full suspension team bike. It has 26" Ceramic Mavic Cross Max wheels, what all around tires would work well for general riding and gravel events?
Also, I understand that top gravel riders are riding road bikes rather then gravel bikes on less technical courses, I suppose that also an option for her?
My wife is giving her body a break from running and has entered a low key gravel event. She has no interest in buying a new bike and is interested in riding my old mint condition GT I Drive 22lbs team bike.
It has 26" Ceramic Mavic Cross Max wheels, what all around tires would work well for all around riding and events?
For low-key gravel she’d probably want a nice fast-rolling XC tire. The Conti Cross King or Race King, for example.
My initial answer would have been to put Thunder Burts on, but it seems that Schwalbe does not make them in 26 inch. They are my go-to XC tire. The CX Comp seems to look similar to the Thunder Burt.
As mentioned above, Continental Race Kings are pretty much the fastest mountain bike tire out there - faster than some gravel tires.
You’re looking specifically for the “Protection” version, not the less expensive “wire” version. The skinwalled Bernsteins are the fastest, but the black ones do pretty well too.
Crosskings are significantly slower, however, they make a decent front tire if more grip is needed.