What Are the Benefits of Wider Tires on Gravel Bikes?

Question

What improvement do wider tires give gravel bikes?

Answer 1

Gravel bike tires are better when wider as this offers riders great comfort, grip and control as opposed to narrower tires. They are also better off against pinch flats and create lesser body fatigue while on long rides. Testing revealed that an increase in tyre width can decrease the Handlebar vibrations with the highest number being a reduction of 23% for certain brands of 50 mm tires.

Comments

There are two gravel bike setups that are relevant for my riding. A setup that allows fairly fast street riding and then some gravel and LIGHT trail added in. And then another drop bar gravel setup that is more conducive to rougher road and trail bikepacking. And it seems that bar choice and tire size on the same frame will satisfy both of these needs for me. Adding Redshift suspension stem and seatpost to this same frame has made this setup cover just about everything.

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The XC bike perfected, with the comfort and riding posture of the roadbike. Beautiful. It's a bike that can do anything. I love my 25mm tyres, but i'd be lying if I said I didn't want a gravel bike.

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I have ride w gravel bikes for over 20 years Finally this Summer I decide to get a Hibrid bike and also  very happy w my desition Speed & diferent terrains makes it a great investment. Usually I ride long distance. I did couple Centuries w Contis GP 5000s 32's was pretty awesome.

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I'm SO glad that people are finally realizing that wider tires are so much better. So tired hunting for a bike, and everything I find maxes out at 40-45mm, and often lower with fenders

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You mention wider clearances for tires. How about 650B? We already had the option to go wider by making the diameter smaller. What is your opinion on this? Thanks for the great content again!

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Great and very reasonable outlook. So excited about the near future of this bike category.

Wider tyres (tubeless) and a Rudy Ultimate suspension fork, that’s what I am looking for at my next gravel bike.

I miss the fun I had with a Stigmata equipped with 650B wheels and 2“ tyres. It was so forgiving, felt playful in any terrain and was fast too.