The new generation of gravel bikes focuses on an extreme amount of tyre clearance. Find out what wider tyres and modern wheels mean for your riding experience off the asphalt.
A clear trend is emerging in the gravel scene: tyres are becoming wider, wheels more robust, and frames offer more and more space for voluminous rubber. While narrow tyres used to dominate the picture, well-known manufacturers are opting for significantly more clearance on their latest models. This brings noticeable benefits for your riding comfort and handling on unpaved roads.
As reported by Cyclingnews magazine, bicycle manufacturers are responding directly to the demands of professionals and recreational athletes for more tyre width. A prominent example is the third generation of the Canyon Grail: while the predecessor model still offered a rather conservative tyre clearance of a maximum of 42 millimetres, this has been increased to an impressive 57 millimetres on the front and rear wheels of the new model. Even though this has made the frame minimally heavier, the manufacturer promises an overall faster and more versatile handling.
This development shows that the boundaries between classic gravel race bikes and off-road mountain bikes are becoming increasingly blurred. Wider tyres allow you to ride with significantly lower tyre pressure. This ensures better self-damping of the tyre, protects your body from vibrations, and massively increases grip on loose ground such as gravel or forest soil.
To ensure that extremely wide tyres sit stably off-road and do not feel spongy in corners, the wheels are also adapting. According to reports from Gravel Cyclist, Vision, for example, is introducing a new carbon wheelset with the SC45 SL i30, which has an internal rim width of 30 millimetres. This enormous width optimally supports tyres in the range of 47 to 71 millimetres.
The well-known professional cyclist Lachlan Morton emphasises in this context that reliability and robustness come first when gravel riding. Since you are often out on your own in the terrain, the durability of the material weighs heavier than the last gram of weight savings. Wide rims and robust hubs, such as those developed by manufacturers like Wolf Tooth with a focus on durability and easy maintenance, give you the necessary confidence to tackle rough passages without worry.
For you as a recreational athlete, this trend means one thing above all: more fun and safety. You no longer have to concentrate meticulously on the perfect line to avoid potholes or large stones. The combination of wider tyres and matching rims is much more forgiving of riding errors and conveys a stable, secure riding feel.
Your takeaway: Make use of the maximum tyre clearance of your gravel bike and lower the tyre pressure to benefit from noticeably more grip and comfort off-road.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.