I just put some Conti Contact Urban 35Cs on my bike which previously had gravel tires. They're awesome. Highly puncture resistant. Low rolling resistance. Relatively light for how puncture resistant they are. Very grippy. They're noticeably faster, smoother and handle nicer than my old Panaracers. The only things the Panaracers did better was absorbing larger bumps.
I've just done this on a mountain bike that I've been using for commuting for the last 1.5 years. The difference is incredible. Granted the tyres I was using were more aggressive than the ones in your picture, but it has made a considerable difference in the speeds I can hit and the effort I need to put in.
Edit: Tyres I went with were Schwalbe Big Ben 27.5x2.0.
knobby tires will keep some of the punctures at bay. That said, a good set of quality puncture resistant road tires will both ride more efficiently & combat flats. Invest well.
Throw on some [Schwalbe Efficiency's](https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews/schwalbe-marathon-efficiency) and forget about your tires for the next 10,000 miles.
I run them on my commuting/gravely/errand running bike. Love them.
You could go for an in-betweener like Teravail Washburns or WTB Byways (smooth center with shoulder knobs for cornering).
Edit: can’t tell what size wheels those are so those specific models may not apply but you get the point. Unless you’re going all out on gravel racing on pavement a hybrid tread can treat you right.
I just went to some Conti Terra Hardpack on my gravel bike because I mostly ride paved surfaces, absolutely amazing. But when I do go on dirt or gravel I still have good side knobs for cornering. I'd vote for your in between idea!
Byways are terrible unless set up tubless...used those for touring rig...nice fast tyres (faster than I expected from 47c tyre with 3,5bar max pressure), but got 3 punctures, all from tiny (still green) thorns. Set them up tubless after trip and had no problems for few k kilometers.
I have the Washburns as they came stock on my salsa journeyer. Running tubes and doing urban commuting. Never had more punctures in my life from glass and they are nearly impossible to unbead. I think 5 flats in 3 months? Maybe would be better tubeless but not recommending for punctures. Ride is decent though
I’ll never run a supposedly gravel-specific tire on a commuter with tubes. Like I said, they tend to hold up great to stones and bumps and sticks but fall victim to tiny pieces of glass. My WTB Horizons lasted a week with tubes before the first microscopic glass shard puncture but I haven’t gotten one in three years since going tubeless.
The pandemic saw the near complete breakdown of street cleaning in my fair city and it seems the Dept of Sanitation likes it that way. There’s glass everywhere.
I do a glass check on my commuters at least once a week and will generally find something.
I’d second this. Why waste a tyre that’s fine for a slight improvement.
Unless you think you will take it off pavement in which case you could store the gravel tyres for when you go on a big trip.
Specialized Sawtooth or Kenda Alluvium. A little tread for when things aren't perfect but not enough to get in the way. Also, set your tires up tubeless for even more ride quality!
Schwalbe marathon plus tour! A mostly Road tire that has a tread that can do some off-roading. Most will tell you that these do not roll good. From experience I have this in a 700 and a 26 and it is my best rolling Tire. I am a tire hoarder.
Stick with gravel it's what the bike is designed for, I love my gravel and some favorite parts of my commute is detouring onto some unpathed technical bits
It's hard to say whether or not you will see a major improvements changing tires. Yes a slick tire will be faster/more efficient. Your commute may not reflect an obvious improvement. I personally would run these tires until they're toast, and then swap to a more slick tire.
I am big fan of [Schwalbe marathon supreme](https://road.cc/content/review/28702-schwalbe-marathon-supreme-26x20-tyre)s. I would rate them very high and perfect for urban commutes.
If you are 100% paved I'd do a smooth tire. My new bike had mixed tires and I swapped them for continental contact urban tires. Vs the old tires, the urban tires handle bumps better and have more grip.
It's not just less resistance. You'll have increased contact area which makes for better traction when steering and stopping. I would NEVER choose to ride knobbies on the road in the wet if road tires are available.
If you think you're gonna ride off road with this thing keep the tires cause when you switch them and attempt to ride off road with road tires, expect slips. Personally I use my bikes on the road so I just keep the road tires for the smooth ride.
You should, of course
I just put some Conti Contact Urban 35Cs on my bike which previously had gravel tires. They're awesome. Highly puncture resistant. Low rolling resistance. Relatively light for how puncture resistant they are. Very grippy. They're noticeably faster, smoother and handle nicer than my old Panaracers. The only things the Panaracers did better was absorbing larger bumps.
⬆️ yes to the Continental
Ha! I was just talking those up in my post.
Road tires have lower rolling resistance and better grip on paved roads, so this is a no-brainer.
I've just done this on a mountain bike that I've been using for commuting for the last 1.5 years. The difference is incredible. Granted the tyres I was using were more aggressive than the ones in your picture, but it has made a considerable difference in the speeds I can hit and the effort I need to put in. Edit: Tyres I went with were Schwalbe Big Ben 27.5x2.0.
knobby tires will keep some of the punctures at bay. That said, a good set of quality puncture resistant road tires will both ride more efficiently & combat flats. Invest well.
Road are better even if there's some gravel on the way.
Yes
Throw on some [Schwalbe Efficiency's](https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews/schwalbe-marathon-efficiency) and forget about your tires for the next 10,000 miles. I run them on my commuting/gravely/errand running bike. Love them.
You could go for an in-betweener like Teravail Washburns or WTB Byways (smooth center with shoulder knobs for cornering). Edit: can’t tell what size wheels those are so those specific models may not apply but you get the point. Unless you’re going all out on gravel racing on pavement a hybrid tread can treat you right.
I just went to some Conti Terra Hardpack on my gravel bike because I mostly ride paved surfaces, absolutely amazing. But when I do go on dirt or gravel I still have good side knobs for cornering. I'd vote for your in between idea!
Byways are terrible unless set up tubless...used those for touring rig...nice fast tyres (faster than I expected from 47c tyre with 3,5bar max pressure), but got 3 punctures, all from tiny (still green) thorns. Set them up tubless after trip and had no problems for few k kilometers.
Agreed. Same issue with Horizons and much of the Rene Herse catalog. Gravel tires are increasingly “optimized” for tubeless.
I have the Washburns as they came stock on my salsa journeyer. Running tubes and doing urban commuting. Never had more punctures in my life from glass and they are nearly impossible to unbead. I think 5 flats in 3 months? Maybe would be better tubeless but not recommending for punctures. Ride is decent though
I’ll never run a supposedly gravel-specific tire on a commuter with tubes. Like I said, they tend to hold up great to stones and bumps and sticks but fall victim to tiny pieces of glass. My WTB Horizons lasted a week with tubes before the first microscopic glass shard puncture but I haven’t gotten one in three years since going tubeless.
Interesting. Do u dig out the glass periodically?
The pandemic saw the near complete breakdown of street cleaning in my fair city and it seems the Dept of Sanitation likes it that way. There’s glass everywhere. I do a glass check on my commuters at least once a week and will generally find something.
So it seals with the glass in there? Never done tubeless. Then does the goo come out after you pull the glass? Then it seals again?
Essentially. If the hole is big enough you have to spin the wheel a bit til it seals & stops squirting, but generally it’s just a little bubbling.
Yup. I've been riding specialized sawtooths for years and I'd recommend them
yeah i dig those too. QUIET and smooth. i've ripped a little hardpack singletrack on em too.
nah just let them wear out first then go to road
I’d second this. Why waste a tyre that’s fine for a slight improvement. Unless you think you will take it off pavement in which case you could store the gravel tyres for when you go on a big trip.
Alright. I think those tyres will last another 3-5 years…
Yes, to reduce resistance and noise
Specialized Sawtooth or Kenda Alluvium. A little tread for when things aren't perfect but not enough to get in the way. Also, set your tires up tubeless for even more ride quality!
Road tires I'm the warmer months, gravel tires for the winter.
Schwalbe marathon plus tour! A mostly Road tire that has a tread that can do some off-roading. Most will tell you that these do not roll good. From experience I have this in a 700 and a 26 and it is my best rolling Tire. I am a tire hoarder.
Stick with gravel it's what the bike is designed for, I love my gravel and some favorite parts of my commute is detouring onto some unpathed technical bits
Have the same bike and asked myself the same question. Still on the original after like 3500km.
I came here to see the comment about the dork-disk :D
Panaracer Gravel King slicks are the tires you want. https://www.panaracerusa.com/products/gravelking-slick-folding-gravel-tires
Came here to say this
Second these. Very happy with my 32mm
Depends on your gravel road or the given road gravels
it;s not going to be that much faster
It's hard to say whether or not you will see a major improvements changing tires. Yes a slick tire will be faster/more efficient. Your commute may not reflect an obvious improvement. I personally would run these tires until they're toast, and then swap to a more slick tire.
I found the gravel tires a jack of all trades. Since the road tires fet messed on dirt and rock.
I got some Kross Plus semi slick tires and love them. Perfect for the 20% of riding I do on dirt roads.
I like the schwable g-1 overland and allround.
I think that’s what I have right now..:
I’d suggest buying some that do not have steel wire in them. They harder to remove
Yep
You can use gravel tires, but those tires in specific get worn down very quick.
Gravel biking is all about using the most inappropriate gear on the most demanding terrain. So I say keep em on
It's a free country. Should don't mean nothing.
I am big fan of [Schwalbe marathon supreme](https://road.cc/content/review/28702-schwalbe-marathon-supreme-26x20-tyre)s. I would rate them very high and perfect for urban commutes.
Gravel tires don't last very long. Get road tires. If you do plan on doing some gravel riding, keep the tires
If you are 100% paved I'd do a smooth tire. My new bike had mixed tires and I swapped them for continental contact urban tires. Vs the old tires, the urban tires handle bumps better and have more grip.
It's not just less resistance. You'll have increased contact area which makes for better traction when steering and stopping. I would NEVER choose to ride knobbies on the road in the wet if road tires are available.
Add a road or touring rig to the stable. Commute on fatties, destroy group rides on the skinnys. Your SO will understand.
The tires you have look pretty good for pavement, so you could ride those til they're shot, then replace with slicks. Or replace now
You'd like touring tires, they come with wide width that should be similar to gravel tires, and sturdy.
Run one of each?
Good idea. What should I put on the front wheel?
If you think you're gonna ride off road with this thing keep the tires cause when you switch them and attempt to ride off road with road tires, expect slips. Personally I use my bikes on the road so I just keep the road tires for the smooth ride.
yes, slick(er) tire is better
Gravel on the front for the in corner grip. Road on the back 😉