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Which type is best? Get to know the different types of gravel tires. thumbnail

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Which type is best? Get to know the different types of gravel tires.

Gravel tires are in between the properties of road tires and MTB tires, and there is a lineup of tires with both properties. In this issue, we will introduce the different types of gravel tires and how to choose and customize them for different uses.

Modified at: 2023.7.4Posted at: 2022.9.7

Table Of Contents

Types of gravel tires

Slick Tires

Slick tires are common on “non-gravel” road bikes. Slick tires are tires without grooves.

The purpose of having no grooves on the tire is to increase the tire’s grip on the road surface, allowing a thin, light tire to grip the road surface well.

On the other hand, because they do not have knobs like block tires, they have the disadvantage of not being able to “catch bumps” when driving on unpaved roads.

Since slick tires have such characteristics, one might ask, “Then, why not just use a regular road tire?” However, many gravel slick tires have improved puncture resistance, and they are used not only by users who mainly ride on paved roads on gravel bikes, but also by road bike users who prefer more durable tires.

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Advantages and disadvantages of slick tires on gravel bikes

Block Tire

Block tires are the exact opposite of slick tires. They are characterized by “knobs” on the tire that are on blocks, which allow them to catch mud and gravel to avoid slipping on rough roads, and they boast high driving performance.

On the other hand, block tires have knobs that make it difficult to grip the road surface on paved roads, and the tires themselves are often heavy tires, so there is a disadvantage that “the nimble ride like a road bike is compromised” when mounted on a gravel bike.

Therefore, in most cases, block tires are installed on gravel bikes "when riding mainly on unpaved roads such as muddy or gravel roads.

Semi-slick tires

Semi-slick tires are halfway between slick and block tires.

The tire center, which catches the road surface on pavement, is slick, and the side portions are small blocks in order to catch gravel well on gravel. In other words, a semi-slick tire is "suitable for both paved and unpaved roads.

Semi-slick tires are truly “tires for gravel bikes,” and in fact, many gravel bike users as well as road bike users who want to enjoy gravel on their road bikes love them.

Semi-slick tires seem to have all the advantages, but their disadvantage is that they are “halfway”.

If you are mainly riding on paved roads, slick tires can provide a more nimble ride, and on gravel or rough roads that are seriously gouged out, they cannot catch the surface as well as block tires. It sounds good to say that it can handle both, but it can also be said that it is an “either/or” tire.

However, for users who are new to gravel and other rough terrain, this half-heartedness is a good reason to introduce gravel tires.

Which type of gravel tire should I choose?

It is best to "use different types for different purposes

Gravel bikes are designed to be ridden in a variety of situations, but in Japan, where paved roads are widely maintained, it is unlikely that you will "always ride on gravel. They should be interspersed with paved roads at some point.

In this sense, it is best to use slick or semi-slick tires for everyday riding, and change to block tires when going on full-scale gravel or rough roads, or prepare a set of wheels for that purpose.

Fortunately, road bikes are so easy to change wheels on that it only takes about 5 minutes to change them before a ride.

If changing tires is a hassle and you cannot afford multiple wheels, choose semi-slick tires that can handle all roads with one set of tires.

Semi-slicks will allow you to handle gravel while maintaining some of the nimbleness of a road bike. However, the knobs on semi-slicks are smaller, so the knobs will wear out more easily when riding on pavement with high road resistance.

Once you operate gravel tires on semi-slicks, it will give you a chance to think about how you want to operate your tires and how you want to customize your wheels.

If you use gravel tires for commuting to work or school, definitely go for slick tires.

If you are going to use a gravel bike for commuting to work or school, slick tires are the way to go.

If you are pressed for time, the key to getting to your destination quickly and with little effort is to customize your gravel bike to be more like a road bike.

However, if your commuting route includes a lot of forest roads or gravel, a semi-slick bike will be more drivable. This is a matter of consulting with your commuting route.

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  • Current Article

    Which type is best? Get to know the different types of gravel tires. thumbnail

    Which type is best? Get to know the different types of gravel tires.

    Gravel tires are in between the properties of road tires and MTB tires, and there is a lineup of tires with both properties. In this issue, we will introduce the different types of gravel tires and how to choose and customize them for different uses.

Expand your gravel bike enjoyment!

「中途半端」とも言われるグラベルバイクですが、実はカスタマイズやセッティング次第でいろんな道を楽しめます。グラベルバイクの楽しみの幅を広げる方法を解説します。

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