THE BEST GRAVEL TIRES for both GRAVEL and ROAD? Specialized Pathfinder vs Pirelli Cinturato Allroad

[@Sator810]

I got perhaps 10.000 kms on the pathfinder pro. And what I love about those tires are that tarmac does not feel like a transport stage since they roll so well on it. It really is what made me love my gravel bike, a bike that is fun to ride on both surfaces on the same ride.

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Epic comment - I had the exact same experience Happy riding 🔥

[@gatta182]

i heard that pathfinder pro easy to teared or less km to wear out ? or they had good reliability?

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

@gatta182 very good reliability, never had a problem apart from one huge glass shard which cut on on the flat section but that was a freak accident. Also, I have ridden SO MANY km on my pathfinder 38s and they are still to show any real signs of use

[@gatta182]

@@PatrickDelorenzi yeahh but soo little reseller here in Indonesia, hard too find,... i just bought panaracer gravelking SS +,

[@tomtiehatten4346]

Another option may be the Vittoria Terreno Zero. I use them in 650bx47 on a Rose Backroad and although I have three wheelsets with my bike (one purely for the road with Hutchinson Sector tires in 28 mm and one with Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M in 700x40) I mostly use the 650b wheelset with the Vittoria's to ride road as wel light terrain. In allmost all situations they and are very fast and have enough grip on gravel roads.

[@chubsound]

WTB Byway (47X650), has served me very well on my gravel/road bike, nicknamed, FrankinKrank. I run them tubeless on Sunringle duroc 35 wheels.

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Great suggestion, a lot of other people have pointed the Byway as a solid choice! Thank you for the comment and happy riding

[@chrishurley5711]

I ride a 40 byway and have been amazed at how well they manage technical terrain when I’ve been caught out on an unknown route. Mine have taken such a beating and they’ve just sucked it up. Also reasonably quiet on my smart trainer. I’m totally convinced if you’re running one wheel set then these kind of tyres are the way to go- “centre slicks with shoulder knobs”

[@justsomedude7556]

I have a set of the AllRoads that I have been using for about 4 or 5 months that I swap out with the Cinturato Gravel H in a 45 if I need something a little wider and beefier, but while the All Roads test slow, I do not see it. I can do the same speeds and power on them as I can do with my road dedicate bikes. However, this bike being fast is not a huge concern for me. I have other bikes for when I want to be fast, this bike is for enjoying the view and having fun. If I was going for a single bike scenario, I would not hesitate to leave them on.

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

I find them to be very fast also, comparable to the pathfinder pro

[@gregmorrison7320]

I"ve been using WTB Nano's for years but on recommendation have recently switched to the Pathfinder Pro's. Feel great on sealed road but sketchy on fast downhills and loose gravel. Ok for general riding. I'm using 47mm front and 42 rear (measures same as a 40mm Nano). For racing I will go back to Nano's for grip and safety and faster on gravel unless all you are doing is long straight roads.

[@jedy90]

I had changed die Victoria Tereno dry and changed for the Specialized and have to say even though heavier and wider it rolls so much better on road and gravel

[@matthewkramer8613]

WTB Vulpine and Vulpine S. Very similar to Pathfinders. My bike came the Vulpine standard and are at home in the dirt; a little drag on the road but still pretty good. Interested in what others also think. cheers!

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Ruke92]

I have used my pathfinder pros for multiple gravel races and plan to use them for unbound this year!

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Great great tyre

[@kenta486]

What width are you using?

[@Ruke92]

@@kenta486 I have 42s and they had no issues on Unbound 100 this year. Albeit almost perfect conditions this year!

[@hampuspersson7855]

Challenge Strade Bianchi as well as Getaway both have very low rolling resistance according in testing. Believe both os offered in 40mm. Looks very nice!

[@jonassp96]

Challenge Strade Bianchi Pro are awful, they are rolling good on road but on gravel I had so much cuts and punctures. And the Tire exploded after just 700km… Will never ever buy a new Challenge Tire.

[@joshuasinger7689]

I’ve been using Challenge Getaway Pro 40 for a few months now. Very similar in tread to both the Specialized and Pirelli but has that great Challenge handmade feel. I’ve ridden them in some pretty hard stuff and they have held up great (but note that I’m a light rider with a light touch on the trails). Tread has been holding up exceptionally well. Rolling Resistance site says they are the fastest of all similar. I believe it. You should try these and review for sure.

[@MrOlafMat]

I am riding Continental Terra Hardpack 700x50 and they work great for mix of tarmac and wood shredding

[@mellissanash7517]

That would be a fun one to review.

[@Thomas-fy9yc]

I just got rid of my exploro, but I ran several different tires for 50/50 gravel, including the Soma Cazadero, Pathfinder Pro, Cinturato M and H, Rene Herse Bon Jon, Tufo Thundero…All of these are pretty decent, Cazadero was prob the closet to pathfinder with its solid center. I’m surprised that you didn’t pick the Cinturato Ms, not much slower than the pathfinders and more appropriate for the morning aggressive stuff you are riding on your video. I found the Pathfinders fast on road but scary as hell on wet or loose, if I used them I’d prob opt for the Sworks 42mm.

[@mellissanash7517]

Terra Hardpack from Conti might be work a look at.

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Thanks for the suggestion! Happy riding

[@Pedal2pedal2024]

Hi Patrick. Great review bro. I just got a set of the Pirelli Cinturato H for my Aspero. Fantastic tire. 🤙

[@piltrid1]

Tufo Gravel Thundero 40 - Lower rolling resistance (see bicycle rolling resistance website review and comparison chart) despite chunkier thread (better offroad performance?), and a fair bit cheaper (at least when I bought them). Win win win? (edit: note I haven't tried the others).

[@adrianengel5351]

The tires are also light-

[@Bottomburbsburnbums]

Just waiting for a pair of 44’s to be delivered…

[@efraer]

My current setup is a Thundero 40 on the rear and a Swampero 40 in the front. I really like the additional front end grip for improved traction on loose surfaces. I've found them to be slightly better than the Pirelli Gravel H and M combination I was running before. The Tufos are lighter, a little more supple, and test slightly better for rolling resistance than the Pirellis. Other tires I've used...Challenge Geraway Pros were very fast, light, and very smooth, but had fragile sidewalls, and poor traction in loose conditions. IRC Boken Doublecross handled well in the dirt, and very durable, but was a slow pig on the road.

[@jackandrew3579]

Travail washburns are good gravel tyre with smooth strip down middle but only in 38mm and 42mm but great

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Thank you for the suggestion!

[@vinmurphy777]

I have just ordered a cheap pair of Schwalbe G-One Comp to try they are wired tire they have solid band in the middle and good side tread.

[@wyattlawson224]

Maxxis receptor 700x40 is one I’ve been looking at that fits this bill

[@CzarekKukowka]

The thread pattern maybe is smooth by Cinturato Allroad but as test showing - this is one of the slowest tires they tested on BicycleRollingResistance site. It'a about compound, not thread pattern.

[@DR_1_1]

True that it comes behind gravel and even cross versions... I use the slicker Cinturato velo, and it's also "slower" than both of these! TBH sometimes I have some doubt about their tests, I wonder if the surface of their wheel is representative of real roads/trails.. I suppose they should use several wheels with different surfaces, eg clean asphalt, rougher road with some gravels, etc instead of metal? Also the surface is not flat, this may have some inexpected side effects, too...

[@grahambowman7227]

Thanks for the video - I’m currently considering the pathfinder Pro as my next tyre. I’d be interested in seeing your thoughts on the WTB Vulpine S as this has the similar mix of tread patterns.

[@lotmom]

I rode a narrower continental ride tour for many years and loved it. It has a band down the middle with very aggressive tread down the sides, and my favorite part? Its silent on tarmac. Currently trying to get a hold of the 42s for my gravel bike

[@BGrumpy]

What is the model name ?

[@davidjfife]

Have you ever tried a set of ReneHerse tires? I’m running 650b x 48’s slicks on my tandem and single. Super smooth and fast.

[@rrrrrrikke]

Any experiences here with tyre inserts? I see some really long distance hardcore riding in some of your videos. Could maybe something to consider when riding the more remote routes.

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

I think inserts could be a very good idea. I’ve thought about them but still haven’t tested them out - maybe it’s time!

[@rrrrrrikke]

@@PatrickDelorenzi My riding is different then yours. Less mixing of road and off road. I decided to go for two wheelset setup. For Road a supple 34-36mm tyre which can do a bit of gravel hardpack to have the freedom. Just super comfy. Offroad: for the dedicated gravel days out I got a set of Zipp 101 XPLR 650b wheels (they go for less then 700euro here now) and will put a set of Conti Terra Trail 47mm on them. Even might be they are not the best tyre, they review as a good all rounder. For the price of 25Euro it is worth a try ;)

[@grvl307]

I love the Teravail washburn, also has a nice center slick band. Very durable and lots of sizes available

[@nlage8725]

I wish Pirelli would do the Cinturato Allroad with 127TPI casing instead of 60 TPI and go for the SpeedGrip compount instead of Pro Compound. This would highly improve the rolling resistance which right now lacks behind the Pathfinder. Therefore I'd go for the Pathfinder out of those 2. I'd also suggest the Tufo Thundero. Looks perfect on paper tbh

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Thanks for the suggestion and the insights on the compounds!

[@pascalo5119]

Thanks for your video. Could you please share your PSI setting for both tires.

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Yes I can pascalo! Off road it’s 2.2 bar and on road (group rides) around 3.6-4

[@pascalo5119]

Thank you.

[@rrrrrrikke]

I have the pathfinder pro that came on my crux (which I use as the one-bike for all). Really versatile tyre indeed! For more road like conditions but stil to have the option to go for adventuring on hardpack gravel I have a second set of wheels with 33mm Challenge Strada Bianca. Maybe for the dual purpose you are doing have a look at the Continental Terra Speed. Seems to be a knobbly tyre that does really well also on more smoother terrain for rolling resistance.

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Thank you for the suggestion!

[@ThePauliusz]

You should give a go conti terra speed, they are rapid on the road almost gp5000 fast, and good on gravel roads, forest roads that are made for mtb :) One negative for them, they are really fast wearing, especially on the road.

[@shirtlessGraveler305]

They are fast I have a set of 40c on my Diverge , the problem is trying to order 45c with natural side wall in the US is backorder for months on end .

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Thank you for the suggestion!

[@mellissanash7517]

My brother in law just got the S-Work Pathfinder Pro 42mm and they look great. His measured out to 44mm. There is also the cheaper non-s work 42mm and 48mm.

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

@@mellissanash7517 same here, both my 38 and 42s measure out a little bit bigger (and I’m not complaining 😃)

[@duckmanduckfairy8010]

They also have a 700X47 available

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Yes indeed. I run them on my Revolt.

[@marksandoval5361]

Specialized recently released a 700x47 Pathfinder Pro. I just bought a set and I'm loving them. I've also had good riding with the 700x43 Panaracer Gravel King SK.

[@mtndogdad]

47s are the only way to go

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Yes indeed, I run Pathfinder Pro 47mm on my Revolt.

[@NLgravel79]

Cinturato all road ok for hookless?

[@Muddyfox47]

schwalbe g-one RS? try those?

[@StewartRoss]

I have 42c (tubeless) Pathfinder Pro's and while I agree with you on the sizing, I also find them heavy and slower compared to my previous tyres, Maxxis Receptors. Receptors are fast and light on road and hard packed gravel, but they lack grip in wet or loose gravel. Pathinders have great grip and control. My ideal tyre would be 40c around 400g's, that's great on and off road. Anyone tried the Cadex AR's?

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Looking at the max is they seem great! Thank you for the tip

[@chacmool2581]

There are two key considerations missing in this discussion. One, durability/wear. Two, puncture protection.

[@christopheralix8554]

All my specialized gripton tire develop little cracks all along the sidewall including the pathfinder pro. Anyone else?

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Hi! This has not happened to me, might be climate related?

[@chrisp9859]

Specialized makes a Pathfinder pro in 650bx47mm size which sort of solves the road tire-ness of the thinner 700x38 size.

[@steveblackman8110]

I would like to know how the conti gp 5000 TR All Season 35mm perform on a gravel bike / on gravel (cause road obv good)

[@matthewlab3834]

Those roads are amazing. Where did you film this?

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Hey Matthew Most of the footage is filmed on Colle delle finestre, Strada dell’assietta and the Colombardo climb in north west Italy College delle Finestre and Strada dell’Assietta is super famous and a really beautiful ride, I’m working on a video about it

[@matthewlab3834]

So beautiful, thank you. I look forward to the video.@@PatrickDelorenzi

[@joshuabarnett8152]

I ride the Specialized Pathfinder 42. I find it does just fine on the road. I don’t think the extra width is a big deal at all.

[@Olleg.G]

I think, biggest issue with gravel tires is quick wearing off. So theese semi-slick tires are good in terms of durability. And in terms of rolling resistance should keep in mind that there is great amount of tires on market that have any type of pattern/knobs in the center are rolling really good, but slower than road bike tires, appr. 1 kmh slower. And slick design of gravel tire as is don't help you to give more speed significantly. So I personally prefer similar tires for durability not for speed.

[@HansComyn]

did you know @Dylanjohnson was HAPPY Specialized was now making a 47mm tire. Apparently, the wider IS faster... although the aero penalty will be higher the more you spent time on the road. And at UNBOUND, he put mountainbike tires! Surely, he is NOT looking for a one bike to rule them all, but wider does not necessarily mean slower, certainly not when your terrain is mixed road off-road.

[@sidewinder193]

Have you tried the continental ride tour? I’m running 35mm on a gravel bike. Surprised how little I hear this tire mentioned on you tube.

[@cybrsrce]

They have a nice tread pattern but are as heavy as durable trail mtb tires in gravel sizes - 700x40-50c.

[@loyanglionscc]

do you think 700x45 will fit the exploro racemax?

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

it might depend on the rim width, but i would say no. On fulcrum rapid red 5db rims i can't fit a pathfinder pro 700x42 in the back

[@loyanglionscc]

@@PatrickDelorenzi yup noted that it depends on wheel tire combination. i might try 42 👌 thanks!

[@cristianrecabarren5891]

thanks for the video, do you use them with inner tube or tubeless? thanks!

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Always tubeless!! 2.2 bar for mixed rides and 3ish if I’m doing only road ✌️

[@86309]

my pathfinder pros are 700x47c

[@comment_troll]

Schwabe G One RS - very fast tyre and has exactly the same characteristics. Only drawback is they don’t last super long

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Thank you for the comment CT, seems like everyone speaks highly of the Schwalbe! I will check them out when I come back to Europe

[@hanibanani9966]

@@PatrickDelorenziI use the 40mm G-One R for over 1,5 years without ANY (!) cuts under different gravl. conditions as a TL setup, and I love them (grib, traction, handling, stiffnes, etc). Before that, I had Conti's Terra Speed in 40mm and they where "ok". But never reached the R. I will switch to a new R/RS setup shortly. that might be ne next performance boost ;-)

[@weihoang9453]

O

[@michaelviglianco6121]

My Pathfinnder Pro 38s measure nearly 41 even on 21 internal rims

[@nedreiter3869]

Thanks: really useful info.

[@21gunblade]

May I know your all one bike gear number please like cassette and crankset, thanks

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Hi! At the moment I am running 33-46 chainrings with 10-44 in the back. Honestly a 42 would be enough in the back for the vast majority of use cases (especially if you run shimano 30-46 in the front)

[@chacmool2581]

Maxxis Rambler 700x50c Panaracer Gravelking SK+, 700x50c

[@anon7684]

Did you get rid of the crux?

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

I started collaborating with 3t after trying the racemax out. I still have the crux but don’t use it

[@riffmeisterkl]

Just interested in the compliance on the rough trails? Did you have the lower the pressure quite a bit? Or kept the same for road and off road? Coming from a mtb, I’m trying to get more compliance from my gravel bike. Currently have the stock Bontrager team tires on my Trek checkpoint

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Hi! I keep them around 2.2 off road and a bit higher pressure if I’m doing mostly road, tubeless of course!

[@davomoto42]

Tufo Gravel Thundero are AMAZING on pavement and gravel

[@DawaiMulders]

I just need this tyre as a winter tyre for road.

[@woutervanderdoes5163]

The pathfinders and cinturato allroad both have way higher rolling resistance than a Thunder Burt or a Race King. If you can fit a 2.1 Thunder Burt or a 2.2 Race King in your frame (I believe the 3T Racemax should accomodate this), they are significantly faster tyres on gravel and probably faster on road at lower speeds. The aero penalty of a wider tyre isn't that bad, see Dylan Johnson's video. Both the gravel tyres shown in this video are likely slower on and off road, and less capable than a true MTB tyre. If your frame can handle the 2.1 inch Thunder Burts, they are amazing rubber

[@woutervanderdoes5163]

Of course, you'd also have to ditch the front derailleur. The SRAM battery doesn't clear anything over 43ish mm

[@tariqkamil7853]

Have u tried a lagprger inner room width. I use the pathfinder pros on a 25mm inner rim width, and the tire just shy of 40mm. Oh and I’m heading to Koh samui in march with my new bike go get some road and look for easy gravel excursions

[@christiankos5766]

After G One, G One R, Pirelli Gravel H, Conti Terra Speed I am now with Tufo Gravel Thundero since a year and found the best tyre so far.

[@carlmons]

What makes the thundero better to you? I've been riding a G One R for a whole week since I built my first groavel bike - they roll very fast on the road (from a road racer's perspective) and hard-pack, but they're terrifying on loose gravel. Is it my lack of confidence on a new toy, or is it the tire, and how is the thundero better?

[@christiankos5766]

@@carlmons I'd describe my riding profile like 60% tarmac, 30% lose gravel and some 10% of trails with msc surface. The Thundero offers far more control, response and traction on gravel than the G One R w/o loosing speed and acceleration on dry tarmac. On wet tarmac the Thundero runs circles around the G One R, even during cornering on wet and fast descents with more than 40k the Thundero never gave me an insecure feeling. It nas no real donwsides what makes it out of my experiences the best allround gravel tyre so far. And in addition it's here in GER some 30% below the G One R price.

[@carlmons]

@@christiankos5766 Very helpful! I'll give it a good look. It's nice the selection is broadening, but the flip side is you can spend a fortune finding the right tire. I think the problem with the G One is the round profile without larger cornering knobs, so it sinks on loose gravel at any angle, but is fast anywhere else... haven't tried in wet yet, thanks for that warning!

[@TheDueden]

Panaracer Gravelking X1

[@eriktroostheide4846]

Schwalbe G-One RS

[@petersouthernboy6327]

That is a very good tire. I’m running 47mm Pathfinder Pros on my Revolt.

[@jaweb97]

These definitely serve a purpose but found them to squirm when cornering on road. Elite gravel race tyre tho clearly, the knobs were just a bit large (or maybe soft) for me

[@tonyg3091]

@@jaweb97Lol, yes they do squirm also not very durable compared to Pathfinder Pros.

[@kabobsyea9985]

Beast

[@mattwilliams3104]

Specialized tracer pro > pathfinder. More grip, negligible difference in rolling resistance, often slightly cheaper

[@humToNoise]

[@markanderson7412]

Schwalbe g one RS 45mm 🤙

[@fen2453]

the cinturato H is faster and lighter than the allroad

[@dominicbritt]

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H is the tyre you need..

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Hi, I had them but they are very slow on tarmac compared to both the pathfinder pro and the cinturato allroad

[@rolffuchs2737]

Yes, the fastest Gravel tyre I have ever ridden on the road.

[@Canadian666]

Maxxis new refuse

[@tambosnipes1652]

Gravelking ss

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Have the gravel kings on my 650b set of wheels and they are pretty sick! Thank you for the contribution

[@tambosnipes1652]

@@PatrickDelorenzi they kick names and take ass

[@BigDrawersMcGraw]

I can't wait to see their limited edition 2024 colors! The SS is such a good all-season road and gravel tire

[@shirtlessGraveler305]

I sold my specialized Pathfinder pros size 38. I rode them for a year. They’re a great tire but I want something with a little bit more cushion for very rough gravel because I don’t take my gravel bike on roads. I have my road bike for that .

[@petersouthernboy6327]

@@shirtlessGraveler305go wider. I run Pathfinder Pros in 47mm on my Revolt.

[@Aragorn.Strider]

the All Road is way to slow

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

I hear people say that but I have not found it to be true, I feel it’s the same as the pathfinder

[@Jason-zo6lk]

Tufo Speedero