After two seasons on the Challenge Gravel Grinders, it’s time for a change.
With a busy gravel racing calendar ahead—including Gravel Nationals in September—I wanted a tire that would roll fast, grip confidently on mixed surfaces, and handle the unknowns of Midwest gravel.
I started by digging into reviews, pressure recommendations, and rolling resistance tests.
Here’s what I found—and the tire I’m going with for the rest of the season.
Why I’m Replacing My Gravel Grinders
The Gravel Grinders have served me well.
Their file tread center provides speed on pavement and hardpack, while the side knobs offer decent traction on loose corners.
But it’s time for something faster, especially if the Nationals course leans toward smoother, faster terrain—there’s even talk of it being slick-friendly.
Still, I want a tire that balances speed with versatility. So I started researching.
What the Experts Recommend
Bicycling Magazine’s Gravel Tire Guide
Bicycling recommends:
- 40mm tires with a standard casing
- Tubeless setup with topped-off sealant
- Consideration of casing type, TPI, sidewall protection, and compound
For mixed tread options, they highlight:
- Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss
- Vittoria Terreno Dry
- American Classic Kimberlite
GranFondo-Cycling’s Tire Test
GranFondo offered more creative insight—including a “smell test”!
They identified top picks for different priorities:
- Speed: Schwalbe G-One RS
- All-around performance: Continental Terra Trail, Specialized Tracer
Though the Tracer has more aggressive knobs than I prefer, the Terra Trail caught my attention.
Velo’s Take
Velo agrees with Bicycling and GranFondo on two standouts:
- Vittoria Terreno Dry: Solid and predictable, but reported as a bit slow
- Schwalbe G-One RS: Fast but has a tendency to wash out in corners, which is a red flag for my riding style
Tire Pressure Considerations
Using the Silca Tire Pressure Calculator, I plugged in my setup with:
- 40mm tire width
- Mid-range casing
- Category 2 gravel
It recommended 34–35 psi, slightly higher than the 30 psi I typically run in my current 42mm Gravel Grinders.
That’ll be an adjustment, but it’s helpful to have a validated range to test from.
Rolling Resistance: Who’s Fastest?
To get data-driven, I turned to the excellent Bicycle Rolling Resistance site.
Based on their tests, here’s how a few of the contenders stacked up:
| Tire | Rolling Resistance Rating | Notes |
| Continental Terra Speed TR 45 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Fastest overall |
| Continental Terra Speed E-25 45 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Slightly heavier, still quick |
| Schwalbe G-One RS | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Very fast, but less stable in corners |
| Vittoria Terreno Dry | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Great grip, modest rolling speed |
| Tufo Thundero | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Fast and versatile—friend Dan swears by them |
| Pathfinder 2Bliss | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Grippy, but slower in tests than the Terra Speed |
My Final Choice: Continental Terra Speed 45s
After sifting through all the reviews, test results, and pressure recommendations, I’m going with the Continental Terra Speed 45s.
They hit the sweet spot:
- Top-rated for rolling resistance
- Lighter tread for speed, but enough bite for mixed terrain
- Endorsed by multiple reviewers as a race-ready tire
I’ll double-check clearance on my Giant Revolt, but since the 42mm Gravel Grinders fit comfortably, I’m confident the 45s will too.
I’ll have the team at Wheel & Sprocket install them to make sure everything sets up tubeless and dialed.
Have a Favorite Gravel Tire? Let Me Know!
Tire choice is always part science, part art.
I’d love to hear what you’re running this season—especially if you’ve ridden the Terra Speed, Schwalbe G-One RS, or Tufo Thundero.
Drop a comment or shoot me a message!
Bonus: My Top Tire Resources
If you’re researching gravel tires, check out:
- Silca Tire Pressure Calculator
- Bicycling’s Gravel Tire Guide
- GranFondo-Cycling Gravel Tire Test
- Bicycle Rolling Resistance Reviews
Three Things to Know About My Gravel Tire Choice
1. After comparing expert reviews and rolling resistance tests, the Terra Speeds stood out as the fastest and most well-rounded option—ideal for races like Gravel Nationals where speed matters, but some traction is still needed.
2. Sites like Bicycle Rolling Resistance provide data-driven comparisons that reveal big differences in speed—even between tires with similar tread patterns. In this case, the Terra Speed significantly outperformed others like the Pathfinder.
3. Using tools like the Silca Pressure Calculator can help you optimize grip, comfort, and rolling speed. For 40mm tires on Category 2 gravel, 34–35 psi was recommended—slightly higher than what I had been using.
Need more?
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Paul Warloski is a:
- USA Cycling Level 1 Advanced Certified Coach
- RRCA Running Coach
- Training Peaks Level 2 Coach
- RYT-200 Yoga Instructor
- Certified Personal Trainer
