A gravel bike combines the characteristics of a road bike and a touring bike. It's designed for mixed surfaces: asphalt, gravel, dirt roads, and light trails. In France, these types of terrain are everywhere: from the urban bike paths of Paris and its suburbs to the gravel roads, forest trails, and country lanes of Île-de-France, Normandy, Burgundy, and Brittany. With its robust frame, geometry designed for long-distance comfort, and ample clearance, the gravel bike is suitable for all kinds of journeys—from commuting to epic cycling adventures.
Summary:
Can you make a mistake in choosing tires?
Criteria for choosing your tires
How to adapt tires to your needs
Conclusion
Tires make gravel bikes true all-terrain vehicles – they directly determine handling, grip, and comfort on the ride. In this article, the experts at Routes and Roads explain how to choose the right tires for your gravel bike so you can enjoy your rides on the roads of France – in the city, suburbs, or countryside.
Can you make a mistake in choosing tires?
Tires are the only point of contact between the bike and the road. An unsuitable model reduces grip, makes handling unpredictable, leads to premature wear, and increases the risk of punctures on uneven surfaces. Choosing the wrong tires is easier than you might think: two models can look similar but perform very differently on the road.
Even a small variation in width, tread pattern, casing density, or pressure significantly impacts grip, comfort, and handling. What rolls well on asphalt can become unstable on gravel, and tires designed for dry surfaces quickly lose their effectiveness in wet conditions. An unsuitable tread pattern can slip in mud or, conversely, impede rolling on bike paths. For example, an overly aggressive tire will be noisy on asphalt, while a road slick won't grip well on gravel roads and forest trails.
Pressure is also important: an overinflated tire has less grip, dampens vibrations less, and is more easily punctured on the sharp stones of rural roads.
Criteria for choosing your tires
When choosing gravel tires, it's important to consider the width, tread pattern, casing density, weight, and tubeless compatibility. These criteria determine grip, comfort, and reliability on different types of terrain.
Tire width
Standard gravel tires measure between 35 and 45 mm.
Narrow tires (35–38 mm): suitable for asphalt, urban cycle paths and smooth gravel roads.
Medium tires (40–42 mm): versatile, they are suitable for most routes in Île-de-France.
Wide tires (45 mm and more): perfect for rough roads, loose gravel or muddy passages, for example in forests or countryside.
Before purchasing, check the maximum possible tire width on your bike, especially at the fork and chainstays.
Tire profile
For asphalt with some gravel sections, semi-slick tires—tires that are nearly smooth in the center with more pronounced knobs on the sides—are ideal. For routes that include forest trails, rural roads, or hilly areas, a more aggressive tread pattern provides better control on descents and loose surfaces. On wet roads or for autumn rides, a self-cleaning tread pattern is very practical.
Carcass and density
The casing density is indicated in TPI (Threads Per Inch). A high TPI value (100–120) improves rolling resistance and comfort, while a low TPI value (around 60) makes the tire more robust but also heavier. For most routes in France, a range of 60–90 TPI offers a good compromise between comfort and protection.
Tubeless compatibility
Many gravel tires are available in a tubeless version, reducing the risk of punctures and allowing you to run lower pressures, which is practical on gravel or uneven terrain. Look for the Tubeless Ready, TLR, or TL markings.
Tire weight
Weight affects the rolling resistance and handling of the bicycle. For urban and suburban roads, opt for lightweight tires without sacrificing durability, especially if you plan to ride on gravel or forest paths.
Puncture protection
Gravel routes are rarely perfect. Reinforcements and puncture protection are particularly useful for rides outside of town and long distances across the French countryside.
How to adapt tires to your needs
For asphalt and urban driving, 35–38 mm tires with a smooth or almost smooth profile, such as the Continental Terra Speed , are ideal.
For mixed routes Paris - suburbs - countryside, opt for versatile 40–42 mm tires with moderate treads, for example the Maxxis Rambler Tires .
For rough roads, bike trips or outings with a load, opt for tires of 45 mm and more, with a robust casing and reinforced protection, such as the Schwalbe G-One Allround TLR tires .
For long journeys across France, it can be useful to have two sets of tires: one for city and training, the other for travel and more technical routes.
Conclusion
Choosing the right gravel tire is key to comfort, safety, and performance. Width, tread pattern, weight, durability, and tubeless compatibility are essential, especially on urban and regional routes. At Routes and Roads, you'll find the tires that will allow you to ride with confidence and fully enjoy your rides!
