How to get the most out of your next big tour with the right tyres, clever equipment and the right event planning.
The fascination of graveling and bikepacking lies in the freedom to discover new paths. No matter whether you are planning a short weekend in the surrounding area or embarking on a multi-day trip: the right preparation of material and equipment decides how much fun you have on the way. Current developments on the market and various event formats show what really matters when it comes to optimising your setup.
Nothing dampens the joy of a long ride as much as a flat tyre in rough terrain. When choosing tyres for mixed surfaces of asphalt and gravel, you should therefore make no compromises. According to tyre manufacturer Vittoria, reliability is the most important characteristic for commuters, long-distance riders and bikepackers alike.
A good example of this focus is the Vittoria RideArmor, which is now available in a wider version with 42 millimetres (700x42c). The larger air volume not only ensures better vibration damping and more stability on long distances, but also offers more grip. To prevent cuts and punctures on rough surfaces, the manufacturer uses an ArmorSkin sidewall and a continuous Kevlar protection belt from bead to bead. A Graphene+ Silica rubber compound also ensures high mileage and reliable grip in different weather conditions. The tyre is suitable for both tubeless systems and classic inner tubes and is approved for mounting on e-bikes.
The fact that gravel adventures do not have to fail at the limits of family planning is shown by the further development of special transport equipment. Anyone who wants to be out in the terrain with children needs an extremely robust and agile setup.
The manufacturer Tout Terrain has developed the Singletrailer II Gravel for this purpose. This single-wheel child trailer is specially designed for off-road use and is equipped with a 20-inch Continental Double Fighter 1.75 Gravel tyre. An adjustable rear shock absorber allows a suspension travel between 120 and 160 millimetres to absorb shocks on uneven paths. Safety is ensured by a five-point safety harness with a Fidlock buckle and a stable steel roll bar. Particularly practical for modern gravel bikes: the CNC-machined coupling of the trailer is also compatible with dropper posts. An integrated storage compartment in the rear also ensures that important luggage can be transported directly on the trailer.
How you tune your setup ultimately depends heavily on the type of your adventure. The gravel scene now offers an enormous range of events that place different demands on people and material.
No matter which format you choose: analyse the route profile and ground conditions precisely beforehand in order to optimally adapt your tyre width, air pressure and packing volume.
Your takeaway: Rely on puncture-proof, wider tyres for long gravel tours and adapt your packing setup exactly to the support offered by your event.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.