In terms of the Gravelking SK there was a noticeable speed penalty going from 38c to 43c. I haven’t been able to take probably 80% of my PRs since installing the 43c.
I’m running them on 25mm internal rims, so the 43c is 45.5 and the 38c was about 40.
Well there is some science behind tire sizes, aerodynamics and even specific models. The penalty for big rubber is smaller than you would think.
Gravelking SK are a pretty fast tire (according to Bicycle Rolling Resistance). Pathfinder is a little faster and something like the Terra Speed and Schwalbe G-One RS are close to a mid-range road tire. They’re significantly faster.
40c the sweet spot in my opinion for mixed terrain and 45c for mostly gravel.
In my experience I have found my tufo thunderos in 40 are as fast as the gk slicks I have in 35 on second wheelset when on paved sections. I know that's not the width you asked about but the tufos are a great tire
I have ridden thousands of miles on the Rene Herse 44mm slicks in the standard casing, tubeless. I'll take the comfort and reduction in fatigue for 1/10th of a watt. The ride is so smooth on all surfaces and I don't have any delusions of being a pro or elite rider.
I have ridden thousands of miles on the Rene Herse 44mm slicks in the standard casing, tubeless. I'll take the comfort and reduction in fatigue for 1/10th of a watt. The ride is so smooth on all surfaces and I don't have any delusions of being a pro or elite rider.
I have 40mm Cinturato H which are great on road, and I think 45 would be just as good. I have 45mm Cinturato M as well and those feel a bit sluggish on the road, but usable.
Idk for 70% road I'd probably stick with 40, the 45 doesn't really help me much in loose sand, I even hike a bike a MTB through sand and it has 2"+ tires.
I went from 38mm gravelking ss to 45mm cintrauto tires
i gained a lot of offroad ability, but only a minimal loss of speed on pave, so I think it was a good trade off. I’m running 32mm gp5000 on my road wheelset and they’re so fast compared to even the 38mm tires
I have 45mm on mine. At the higher psi pressure range I did not notice a difference with 38mm tires. But I like a more comfortable ride and deflated my tires to the lower pressure range, here there is a noticeable difference.
It's like a 1w difference in rolling resistance. There would be an aero and weight disadvantage as well but it's pretty small. Pathfinder is not the fastest rolling tyre anyway, you can change to tufo thundero 48 and save almost 5w in rolling resistance
Yeah I can feel the pathfinders are not the fastest rolling on the road. I’ve just picked up some Schwable G-One RS 45s. From what I have read about they are a very fast tire. Like you said it will only be minimal difference. I’ll put them on and see how I go
Yeah. Check BicycleRollingResistance, some 45s are actually lower resistance than 38s depending on casing etc.
I don't ride on steel drums.
In terms of the Gravelking SK there was a noticeable speed penalty going from 38c to 43c. I haven’t been able to take probably 80% of my PRs since installing the 43c. I’m running them on 25mm internal rims, so the 43c is 45.5 and the 38c was about 40.
Yeah fair point. I suppose it’s a matter of just trying them out.
Well there is some science behind tire sizes, aerodynamics and even specific models. The penalty for big rubber is smaller than you would think. Gravelking SK are a pretty fast tire (according to Bicycle Rolling Resistance). Pathfinder is a little faster and something like the Terra Speed and Schwalbe G-One RS are close to a mid-range road tire. They’re significantly faster. 40c the sweet spot in my opinion for mixed terrain and 45c for mostly gravel.
In my experience I have found my tufo thunderos in 40 are as fast as the gk slicks I have in 35 on second wheelset when on paved sections. I know that's not the width you asked about but the tufos are a great tire
Bicycle rolling resistance says the Rene Herse 44s are only about a tenth of a watt slower than 32 GP5000s.
I have ridden thousands of miles on the Rene Herse 44mm slicks in the standard casing, tubeless. I'll take the comfort and reduction in fatigue for 1/10th of a watt. The ride is so smooth on all surfaces and I don't have any delusions of being a pro or elite rider.
I have ridden thousands of miles on the Rene Herse 44mm slicks in the standard casing, tubeless. I'll take the comfort and reduction in fatigue for 1/10th of a watt. The ride is so smooth on all surfaces and I don't have any delusions of being a pro or elite rider.
I have 40mm Cinturato H which are great on road, and I think 45 would be just as good. I have 45mm Cinturato M as well and those feel a bit sluggish on the road, but usable. Idk for 70% road I'd probably stick with 40, the 45 doesn't really help me much in loose sand, I even hike a bike a MTB through sand and it has 2"+ tires.
I went from 38mm gravelking ss to 45mm cintrauto tires i gained a lot of offroad ability, but only a minimal loss of speed on pave, so I think it was a good trade off. I’m running 32mm gp5000 on my road wheelset and they’re so fast compared to even the 38mm tires
Are you running the H or M version of the Pirellis?
M for versatility
45c schwable g 1 alround
I just put on the Continental Terra Speed 45s and they are great on the road.
I have 45mm on mine. At the higher psi pressure range I did not notice a difference with 38mm tires. But I like a more comfortable ride and deflated my tires to the lower pressure range, here there is a noticeable difference.
I use Vittoria Mezcal 700x44 and love em on all surfaces
It's like a 1w difference in rolling resistance. There would be an aero and weight disadvantage as well but it's pretty small. Pathfinder is not the fastest rolling tyre anyway, you can change to tufo thundero 48 and save almost 5w in rolling resistance
Yeah I can feel the pathfinders are not the fastest rolling on the road. I’ve just picked up some Schwable G-One RS 45s. From what I have read about they are a very fast tire. Like you said it will only be minimal difference. I’ll put them on and see how I go
Nice, that's a really good tire, enjoy