Modified at: Mar 28, 2023
Posted at: Nov 4, 2021
Panaracer's GravelKing gravel tires have been rapidly gaining popularity over the past few years, and we have compiled a list of the differences between the different models and how to choose one.
Table of contents
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*Tire weights are listed for black tires. Colored tires may have different weights. *Panaracer refers to clinchers as “TUBED” and tubeless ready as “tubeless compatible,” but in this page, clinchers and tubeless ready are used uniformly.
Panaracer’s basic gravel tire model. There are two lineups: clincher and tubeless ready.
Based on the concept of “for cyclists who want to ride freely and comfortably from paved to unpaved roads,” the clincher models are available in sizes from 23C to 28C. The great advantage of these tires is that they can be used on gravel without changing the way road bikes ride. It is also great that they can be used on rim brake road bikes without any problems.
It is a slick tire, so it is a “durable road tire”. It is a strong tire that is hard to puncture on a bit of gravel or dirt roads, but not so strong that it can be ridden on gully dirt roads without slipping.
The tubeless-ready models are available in extra-thick sizes ranging from 32C to 40C, and are lightweight, starting at 290g for 32C.
| Model | Type | 23C | 25C | 28C | 30C | 32C | 35C | 40C | 43C | 50C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GravelKing | Clincher | 220g | 240g(26C) | 270g | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 290g | 310g | 340g(38C) | ◎ | - |
The GravelKing Plus is a puncture-resistant version of the main GravelKing model, available in clincher and tubeless-ready versions.
Like the GravelKing, it is a slick tire, but with improved puncture resistance to reduce the risk of punctures on rough roads.
The clincher model is available in 26C and 28C, while the tubeless ready model is only available in 32C, so there are fewer options than GravelKing, but for sizes larger than 32C, you can choose another model to solve the problem.
| Model | Type | 23C | 25C | 28C | 30C | 32C | 35C | 40C | 43C | 50C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GravelKing Plus | Clincher | - | 270g(26C) | 310g | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing Plus | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 330g | - | - | - | - |
The GravelKing SS is a well-balanced mix of on-road lightness and rough terrain drivability that only a road bike can offer. SS stands for “SEMI SLICK,” a model with a slick-like pattern in the center of the tread and tread on the sides.
Thanks to the side treads, it is more durable on rough terrain than the GravelKing, making it ideal for “basically pavement, but also quite a bit of gravel” riding.
The clincher models are only available in 28C, while the tubeless ready models are available in sizes from 32C up to 43C.
In addition to the 700C size, the tubeless ready models are also available in the 650B size; starting in spring 2023, the size lineup will be expanded to include three sizes: 650 x 38B, 650 x 43B, and 650 x 48B.
| Model | Type | 23C | 25C | 28C | 30C | 32C | 35C | 40C | 43C | 50C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GravelKing SS | Clincher | - | - | 310g | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing SS | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 320g | 380g | 410g | 480g | - |
The GravelKing SS Plus is an enhanced durability version of the semi-slick model that was previously available for overseas users, and is available only as a tubeless lady model.
The lineup consists of three sizes (32C, 35C, and 38C), and the weight is similar to that of the GravelKing SK (50-70g), so it is difficult to choose one over the other.
| Model | Type | 23C | 25C | 28C | 30C | 32C | 35C | 40C | 43C | 50C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GravelKing SS Plus | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 370g | 450g | 480g | - | - |
The GravelKing SK has a block pattern on the tread and is more balanced for off-road driving.
It is the most rugged model in the GravelKing series, but it has a shallower and finer block pattern than most off-road tires, so it is balanced so as not to detract from on-road riding.
It is the ideal tire for road bikes and gravel roads, and for riding with MTBs on rougher, rougher roads.
Tubeless-ready models are available from 32C up to a whopping 50C, so as long as you have bike clearance, you can fit a tire on your road bike that is no longer more MTB-like in size than it is on the road.
In addition to 700C, the GravelKing SK lineup also includes 650B sizes and sizes for 29er (29 x 2.10 only), making the series a choice for MTBs to be used for city riding or light gravel.
| Model | Type | 23C | 25C | 28C | 30C | 32C | 35C | 40C | 43C | 50C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GravelKing SK | Clincher | - | 270g（26C） | 280g | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing SK | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 320g | 380g | 410g | 480g | 570g |
The GravelKing SK Plus is the “strongest version” of Panaracer’s GravelKing, a GravelKing SK with a block pattern tread and puncture resistance.
Despite being the strongest gravel tire available, the 26C weighs only 300g, which is about the same weight as a training tire for road use, and is a good balance of durability, off-road durability, and light weight.
| Model | Type | 23C | 25C | 28C | 30C | 32C | 35C | 40C | 43C | 50C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GravelKing SK Plus | Clincher | - | 300g（26C） | 310g | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing SK Plus | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 360g | 420g | 480g | - | - |
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Let’s compare the differences between the GravelKing models we have looked at so far, feature by feature.
| Tyre Type | Puncture Resistance | Rough Roads | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GravelKing | slick | ○ | △ |
| GravelKing Plus | slick | ◎ | △ |
| GravelKing SS | slick/block | ○ | ○ |
| GravelKing SS Plus | slick/block | ◎ | ○ |
| GravelKing SK | block | ○ | ◎ |
| GravelKing SK Plus | block | ◎ | ◎ |
Basically, there are three tire types: slick, semi-slick, and block tires, which is the main difference. All have Plus models with enhanced puncture resistance.
Naturally, the block tire has more resistance on the road surface and is heavier to drive on, but it is also more durable on gravel and dirt.
Of Panaracer’s gravel kings, the standard tire sizes for road bikes, 23C to 28C, are clincher tires only.
Disc brake models may have no problem with tires larger than 32C, but rim brake models of road bikes are limited to about 28C due to frame and brake construction, so it is best to assume that only clincher wheels can be used for gravel king on rim brake road bikes. It is best to think that only clincher wheels can be used for gravel king on rim-brake road bikes.
Panaracer’s Gravel King lineup is only available in tubeless ready wheels in the off-road-oriented 32C to 50C sizes. If you want to ride more off-road, tubeless ready wheels are a must.
In addition, if you choose Gravel King’s 30C or larger tires, you will most likely need not only tubeless-ready wheels but also a disc brake road bike to accommodate them due to brake/frame clearance, so these are the tires to choose for your bike as a road bike tire.
However, there is an advantage to having only tubeless-ready tires for fat gravel kings.
However, Gravel King’s off-road-oriented sizes are all tubeless-ready tires, so the absence of a tube has the advantage of reducing weight even if the tire is thicker.
Moreover, Gravel King’s tubeless-ready tires are also lightweight tires, so they counteract the disadvantage of “graveling makes the ride heavier.
Usually, tires from tire manufacturers vary in price by $10 or more depending on model and characteristics, but Gravel King tires are all in the $50-60 range, and the price difference between clinchers and tubeless tires is only about 15%.
At over $100 for a front and rear set, they remain expensive for bicycle tires, but the wide range of choices within the Gravel King series may be one reason for Gravel King’s popularity.
If you ride around town and only occasionally ride on rough roads, the basic GravelKing is the best choice. If you want to reduce the risk of punctures, choose the GravelKing Plus.
Of course, it is possible to enjoy a sturdy ride in town with a GravelKing SS or GravelKing SK, but since lightness is important for town riding, the basic model is recommended.
If you mainly ride on paved roads as a road bike, but would like to try gravel or ride rough routes for camping, etc., the GravelKing SS is the best place to start.
It can be ridden like a road bike because the center is close to a slick, and once you get into gravel, the block pattern on the sides can handle side slides, etc.
The GravelKing SS is aimed between road and gravel, so you can use it for city riding.
If you want to cycle or race with MTB, the GravelKing SK is almost always the best choice, not only on rough terrain, but also in mud.
Keep in mind, however, that the GravelKing SK is a gravel road tire, so it will not give you the exact same performance as an MTB tire.
| Model | Type | 23C | 25C | 28C | 30C | 32C | 35C | 40C | 43C | 50C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GravelKing | Clincher | 220g | 240g(26C) | 270g | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 290g | 310g | 340g(38C) | ◎ | - |
| GravelKing Plus | Clincher | - | 270g(26C) | 310g | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing Plus | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 330g | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing SS | Clincher | - | - | 310g | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing SS | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 320g | 380g | 410g | 480g | - |
| GravelKing SS Plus | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 370g | 450g | 480g | - | - |
| GravelKing SK | Clincher | - | 270g（26C） | 280g | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing SK | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 320g | 380g | 410g | 480g | 570g |
| GravelKing SK Plus | Clincher | - | 300g（26C） | 310g | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| GravelKing SK Plus | Tubelss Ready | - | - | - | - | 360g | 420g | 480g | - | - |
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