Tires and Gravel Types?

What Tire Should I Use?

One of the most frequently asked questions in the gravel world is what tire should I use and at what PSI?

There isn’t one answer for everyone, but the Panaracer GravelKing’s are the go-to tire for the Gravel Worlds Crew. Each one of us on the grew has thousands of miles ridden on Panaracer GravelKing’s and we’re thankful their sponsorship has allowed us to continue to use those tires. 

For Gravel Worlds, you are more than ok with 35c or larger. 38c is a very common width to local riders. Our gravel generally rolls pretty fast, so Panaracer Gravel King SK or SS models will work great! As for PSI, much depends on your weight, bike set-up, and riding style. Generally, we always believe that you should start at a slightly higher PSI when you first install the tires (always easier to let air out than put it in!) and decide if what the best balance between speed, comfort, and rolling resistance is best for you.

Overall our gravel is a mix of limestone and pea gravel mix. The soil base is generally very sandy so our gravel roads generally dry very quickly compared to other areas with a clay base. We’ve had a couple Gravel Worlds years where it rained pretty heavy the few days before the race and the course was completely dry by race day. 

 
 

What is your Gravel Like?

The second most asked question we get is, what is your gravel like? We all know that “gravel” is different all over the country. Sometimes Gravel means an old blacktop road that hasn’t been resurfaced in 35 years, sometimes it means softball-size limestone single track. The good thing with the gravel around Lincoln, Nebraska is you are going to get a bit of almost everything. So here’s a breakdown of the 4 most common types of gravel you’ll see at Gravel Worlds.

(In order of commonality)

Hard Packed Gravel

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Most Gravel on course will be fast, hard-packed limestone gravel. When Dry, the well-packed gravel of the car tracks can roll almost as fast as concrete. When wet, will generally still roll fairly fast, but if wet for extended periods of time can become soft and be the softness of a wet rails-to-trail path. Gravel size is usually smaller than large marble in size. 


Pea Gravel

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Ranging from just slightly covered to 3-4” deep. The pea gravel roads can be the ultimate speed sucker if you don’t stay in the normal driving rut or go too far to the side of the road. Most pea gravel roads will still roll fast with a hard base but can be very deep in places. These roads are often the most altering and can very quickly change in condition. Pea Gravel is usually smaller than marble size.

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Fresh Limestone/White Rock

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Any road repairs or newer roads will be covered with new thick Limestone/White Rock. This rock will often be harder to ride at speed and likely won’t have any paths worn in from cars. White Rock can range from Marble size to the size of your fist. This is also the most likely location for any punctures as the rock can be sharp. 

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Dirt/Mud “MMR”

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“Minimum Maintenance Roads” or “MMRs” will be announced with a yellow signs that say “Gravel Ends”, “Dirt Road”, or “Minimum Maintenance Road”.  These roads are generally 100% dirt with no gravel/rock on top.

When Dry, these roads can be hard-packed and roll like concrete. If it’s been dry and hot for extended periods these roads can be almost powder dirt. Be sure to be cautious of vehicle or equipment ruts that may have been left from the last time the road was wet.

However, when wet these roads will be brutal and unrideable with a very thick and heavy peanut butter consistency.. Mud will instantly accumulate and bog up any amount of tire clearance if you attempt to ride.   

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