Panaracer GravelKing 700x26C Tire Review: Gravel or Road Tire?

[@Pedals_and_Pathways]

I do the same thing with my road bike and theze tires work great on the road but allows flexibility to hit some modest gravel or rough tarmac I use my gravel bike for dedicated gravel rides Keep up the good reviews!

[@MountainRoadRide]

Thanks for the feedback! I think you’ll enjoy my next video. I’ve taken this setup one step further to make it even more capable on the gravel. Be on the lookout for the post in next few days.

[@anthonymoreno5476]

I just saw your video, I tried the same tire but 28c it’s better due to lower pressure of 65psi. Thanks for the review.

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

I just bought a pair of Panaracer GravelKing 700x26C for my road bike at a massively reduced price of only 60€ (they're normally close to 50€+ each). Already have Panaracer GravelKing 700x32C on my +1 gravel bike and love them. GravelKings last long on the road unlike Continential TerraSpeed which wore down quickly. So it's Vittoria Panaracer for me.

[@ajlexinicole7]

W&OD Trail. Looking forward to putting the 32's on my Gravel Bike as I'm not a lot of full gravel right now. So, taking the 38's off for now!! Thank you for the review!!

[@demogames3384]

Hows the performance in the road? Can you compare it to the slick tires for roadbike?

[@ajlexinicole7]

@@demogames3384 will for sure be able to tell that there is a lot of rolling resistance. So, if you want them for all out speed, don’t get them. The 32’s are very comfortable though. Great for all around surfaces and not to heavy gravel.

[@demogames3384]

@@ajlexinicole7 But i think this is the only tire that has less rolling resistance but can tackle gravel smoothly. Like all rounder tires

[@ajlexinicole7]

@@demogames3384 that’s probably about right!!

[@davidck6196]

Nice. Just copped a pair of these as I have a few routes nearby that have the same kind of “mild” gravel in this video. Gonna Test ‘em out this weekend.

[@laniernelson1019]

South African accent is awesome, great review!

[@MountainRoadRide]

Thanks! Nice job spotting the accent 😁

[@NikZechel]

Great review man!

[@trumanhung]

Great video! For folks trying to go above 26c make sure to check the tyre clearance

[@MountainRoadRide]

Thanks! Yes definitely make sure about the tire clearance before going >26c. In my blog post I have close-up pics of the rub that a Conti 28mm tire caused on my frame. I also added loads of measurements about how wide these tire measure: mountain-road.com/blog/panaracer-gravelking-700x26c

[@TheLelol]

The 26mm Gravelking tires seem to be equally capable on light gravel as my 28mm Continental grandprix 5000. What is the bigger advantage? A wider tire or a gravel specific tire?

[@MountainRoadRide]

I think it comes down to personal preference, but here is my best answer to your question...The 28mm GPs will most like be able to run at a slightly lower pressure, which could make riding light gravel that little more comfortable. On the other hand, the 26mm GravelKings have a bit more texture to the tread pattern, providing more grip (at least in theory) and it might also offer just a bit more puncture protection compared to the GPs. Pros and cons to both options.

[@danmozy]

wondering this too

[@bartvandeput6620]

I'm thinking of fitting the 32mm tyre on my winterbike... For light gravel, bad winterroads,... What's important for me to is how easily they go on and off... If you're stuck by the side of the road at freezing temperatures with a puncture I need something that fits relatively easy...

[@MountainRoadRide]

I had no issues getting these tires on or off the rim, but that will of course largely depend on your wheel and it’s ability to fit tires easily.

[@obtugtxivtub]

About to put some of those in 28c on my aluminum road bike.

[@MountainRoadRide]

Enjoy! This tire has served me well.

[@m.h.4143]

thank you for your review. Was exactly I was looking for. 26 oder 28c Thanks

[@MountainRoadRide]

Great! So glad that it was helpful.

[@williamboike7276]

I'd like to try these tires on my Pinarello, but I'm concerned about clearance. I noticed he was using rim brakes like myself.

[@MountainRoadRide]

Since making this review and wearing out these tires I’ve stepped it up even more and now ride 28mm tires with the same rim brake road bike. Generally (there are some tires that expend beyond the stated width) a road bike with rim brakes will be able to squeeze in up to 28mm tires. Maybe buy from a place with a good return policy to experiment.

[@JanBanJoovi-ol1qv]

They do come in 23c. I have friends who managed to fit it 28c tyres, the tyres will roll indeed. But there’s not much space left from the frames. in the long run, they end up having damaged frames because of the dirt rubbing the frames. So just because you will be able to fit wider tyres it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

Thanks for the experiment. Can you tell me the height of the 26mm tire from the edge of the rim? Thanks and atb, Tony

[@MountainRoadRide]

Interesting question. Unfortunately I don’t have these tires on my bike anymore and didn’t really take that measurement when it was on the rim.

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

@@MountainRoadRide thanks anyway. I'm running 25 mm with very little clearance to the top of the fork crown. Just thought I'd check. Have a good one, Tony

[@jima6930]

I am riding the 25C continental gp4000 now and ride higher pressure (around 110) to avoid pinch flats. Would the gravelking be a softer/smoother ride on the road?

[@danielsepulveda912]

way softer

[@danmozy]

I'm wondering this as well. Wonder how much slower the GK are vs GP on the road too

[@mariojavier1623]

Is the 26C the same width as the 25C like GP5000?

[@onlyizzy3150]

Just got mine today, going to install em tonight and hit the rode tomorrow morning. I'll let y'all know how they are after a long good ride the city of Chicago on a fixed gear! 😎 let's see how long they'll last.

[@MountainRoadRide]

Lovit! I think you’ll enjoy them. Mine is still going strong on my road bike and clocking some good miles.

[@yilmanbabilonia]

And?

[@onlyizzy3150]

@@yilmanbabilonia they are really good! Get so much grip even on rainy days! I say get em!

[@demogames3384]

Can you compare it to the slick tires for roadbikes? Still im thinking to buy this kind of tires(32c to 35c) . I hope i can catch up to my roadbike friends. They are using 25 and 23c tires and super slick tires. I only use gravel bike

[@MountainRoadRide]

These tires are very similar to a pure road tire. They’re basically just slicks. Here is an interesting comparison that you can make. Look at Panaracer’s Race C Evo4 Road Tire (bit.ly/3xgRZea) and how similar the tread is to the GravelKing’s. The only difference comes in with the extra puncture protection (and hence extra weight) on the GravelKing tires. Another thing to consider is that the tire will wear out over time, making the surface even smoother.

[@demogames3384]

@@MountainRoadRide i saw the panaracer evo. Im surprised almost similar pattern. I hope i can get one for my self. Thank you. ☺

[@martinlightheart693]

What is the inner width of the rim you used with these GavelKings?

[@MountainRoadRide]

The carbon rims used in this video have a fairly narrow, 17mm inner width. You’ll find more of the measurements and comparisons listed in the blog post: mountain-road.com/blog/panaracer-gravelking-700x26c

[@crispybrusselsprouts8653]

Hi! What are the compatible inner tube sizes for this 700x26c tyres? Thanks in advance!

[@MountainRoadRide]

Hi! I only used 18-25mm tubes with this tire. I would caution against anything bigger than 32mm since this tire doesn't pop into the rim hooks as much as other tires. My fear was that a bigger inner tube might result in it fitting too insecurely.

[@crispybrusselsprouts8653]

Hello! Thank you for you amazing answer, I really appreciate it! However do you think Panaracer Inner tube 700x25/35 will be compatible with this tyre? www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi5.walmartimages.com%2Fasr%2F7b6f4430-e1ce-45f0-aeb4-76331843f475_1.3a453e6b652816cbf59bd4c32ead541f.jpeg%3FodnWidth%3D612%26odnHeight%3D612%26odnBg%3Dffffff&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FPanaracer-700-x-25-35-cm-Presta-French-60-mm-Bicycle-Tube%2F450639917&tbnid=rkIdCzWTFhSRzM&vet=1&docid=AbHOoQkkKlntbM&w=612&h=612&itg=1&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim

[@crispybrusselsprouts8653]

Is 80PSI perfect for this tyre? Any more recommendation?

[@MountainRoadRide]

The tire pressure will certainly depend on your bike and body weight. I’d recommend that you use a tire pressure calculator like this one from SRAM to dial in the pressure much more accurately: axs.sram.com/guides/tire/pressure

[@japple602]

I have a Domane like yours. What is the clearance like at the rear brake calipers and brake bridge with the 26mm? Do you think you could run the 28mm? Disappointingly my domane has a lot more room for a bigger tyre at the front than the rear.

[@navsnipe]

I have a 2014 Domane 4.3 and the GravelKing 28c fits with no problems.

[@flippinaudioclips2411]

Can I use 18/25c inner tube on a 26c tyre?

[@MountainRoadRide]

That’s the size tube that I use. I will say that you need to just check your rim’s inner width. My rim measures in at 17mm wide, which means that the tube doesn’t expand as much. On a 23mm wide rim it might be worthwhile going for a bigger inner tube.

[@topbanana4013]

Waist of money first day out on then I got a puncture 30 seconds into ride home so big I had to take tire off then 1 wk later same again so a pair of £56 tires will cost you another ltr of tire sealant. They have 0 puncture protection

[@MountainRoadRide]

Sorry to hear about the frustrations. My experience has been a lot different. I’ve ridden my set for well over 1000miles without a single issue. Just to be clear, the 700x26C GravelKing tires are not tubeless compatible (only the 32c and up are). There should not be any sealant involved with running these tires. Check that this is not your issue.

[@fast4four]

I ride my 28’s (also apparently tube only) tubeless and have 0 issues. They set up great like all my other panaracer tires.

[@topbanana4013]

@@MountainRoadRide mine WAS 38c TLR they even made an upgrade for more protection that's even more money, not only that they had poor grip in dry or wet pretty dangerous to be fair, on my bike for 2 wks st8 into the bin, ofc i was gutted £56 in the bin. reverted back to Hutchinson override TLR 0 punctures in 2 months . im city rider that also combines canal tracks on my commute to and from work.

[@coles8296]

How do these compare to a normal road tire when riding on the road? Do you notice a big difference in rolling resistance?

[@MountainRoadRide]

They compare very favorably - hardly any perceived additional rolling resistance. My average riding speeds with these tires on the road have been just as fast as the standard road tires that I replaced them with.

[@joaosalvador4786]

@@MountainRoadRide I'm considering them as a fall/winter road tire, increasing wet grip and running with lower pressures more confortably. Do you agree?

[@MountainRoadRide]

@@joaosalvador4786 I think this tire can work perfectly for that purpose. They do smooth out fairly quick when riding on the road a lot, but still offer good grip. I’ve now been riding mine all season and still going strong. The biggest benefit really is the additional protection against punctures that you might have with this over a standard road tire.