What are gravel tyres?
Gravel biking has taken off in North America, particularly in rural areas where many unpaved roads are covered with gravel, hence the name of the sport. Gravel tyres have been developed to provide increased grip and resistance on these surfaces, while maintaining high rolling efficiency to keep speed on asphalt surfaces. They represent a major innovation in the cycling industry as they allow riders to venture off the beaten track with greater confidence, comfort and speed.
What kind of gravel cyclist are you?
When it comes to choosing the best gravel tyres for your needs, it is crucial to ask yourself about the types of terrain you will mainly encounter and the respective proportions of these terrains. This way, your choice will be influenced by your riding profile and your preferences in terms of riding surfaces.
You mainly ride off-road
If you come from a mountain bike background and don't do a lot of road riding, it's likely that you'll choose a gravel bike to experience more fun and speed on light gravel paths than with a mountain bike. In this case, your DNA is clearly off-road. You enjoy the feel of the terrain under your wheels and aren't afraid of the challenges nature can throw at you. The best gravel tyre for you would be the MICHELIN Power Gravel. It is designed to offer excellent grip and optimum resistance on unpaved surfaces, allowing you to enjoy your off-road rides to the full.
You mainly ride on the road
On the other hand, if you are more of a road cyclist who has done little or no off-roading, but occasionally wants to get off the main roads to explore paths and trails, then your DNA is more road oriented. In this case, the MICHELIN Power Adventure would be more suited to your needs. It allows for short escapades off well-maintained roads and it is perfect for those who want a bit of adventure without sacrificing comfort and speed on the road.
You are a "bike-packing" enthusiast
If you are planning to go on trips with your gravel bike and want to be able to carry equipment without sacrificing comfort and durability, we recommend either the MICHELIN Power Adventure or the MICHELIN Power Gravel, depending on the terrain you will encounter, favouring sections over 40mm wide. Indeed, a larger tyre will allow you to carry heavy loads without the need to over-inflate it, giving you comfort and a safe experience during your trip.
You are an "all-road" rider
Finally, if your riding profile is more of an "all-road" rider, i.e. somewhere between pure road and pure gravel, and you plan to fit large tyres, ranging from 30-40mm, then the MICHELIN Power Adventure would also be the best choice. The DNA of these bikes is to be ridden fast all year long, whatever the conditions, with the assumption that you will encounter bad roads. The MICHELIN Power Adventure, although less specifically designed for gravel, is perfect for this purpose. It offers a good compromise between grip and rolling efficiency, allowing you to ride comfortably and fast on a variety of surfaces.
Which MICHELIN gravel tyre is right for your riding style and level?
To help you choose the best tyres based on your intensity of use and performance requirements, Michelin organises its ranges into four lines:
Access Line: designed for occasional use, ideal for riders who go out less frequently.
Performance Line: the most balanced performance for regular or intensive use. Competition Line: premium tyres, offering the best performance for very intensive use.
Racing Line: professional tyres designed for competition.
The two MICHELIN ranges for gravel are available in the Competition Line with means they are designed for intensive use. Both E-bike ready and tubeless ready, they cover two distinct riding profiles. The right choice comes down to the terrain you ride on most:
MICHELIN Power Adventure Competition Line, E-bike ready, tubeless ready, for asphalt, gravel and light trail terrains. The best rolling efficiency in the range, ideal for riders who spend more time on the road than off it.
MICHELIN Power Gravel Competition Line, E-bike ready, tubeless ready, for gravel and trail terrains. With maximum grip on unpaved surfaces, for riders whose rides take them further off-road.
What type of bike do you ride?
It is essential to consider the issue of compatibility, which will naturally lead you to restrict your options. For example, it is possible to change from 50mm to 30mm tyres if your rim accepts this compatibility, but not the other way round. Check the maximum cross-sectional area that the tyre, wheel and frame can accept. In case of any doubt, contact your nearest dealer to make sure that the switch can be made without any unknown consequence.
Once you are aware of this constraint, you can choose according to your use. If you mainly plan to ride on sporty roads, for instance during training sessions, it is better to choose a MICHELIN Power Adventure with a smaller section (30mm), similar to road tyres and suitable for this use.
If you are looking for more versatility for your gravel bike, with 80% road use and 20% off-road use to have fun without too much risk of punctures, it is advisable to opt for tyres with larger sections, around 40mm, which will allow you to ride with lower pressures.
The advantage of having tubeless ready tyres is that you can ride safely with lower pressures without the risk of puncturing.
The closer you get to mountain biking, the more you should opt for wider sections. For example, MICHELIN Power Gravel tyres can be up to 47mm wide, while MICHELIN Power Adventure tyres can be up to 48mm wide.
By lowering your pressures, you will be able to regain good grip and better adaptability of the tyre to the off-road terrain you are going to cover. This combination of wider sections and lower pressures is ideal for off-roading.
How can I find out about the compatibility of the gravel tyres section?
To find out the cross-sectional dimension of the tyres for your bike, you can refer to the ETRTO standard which indicates the appropriate dimensions. This information is usually printed on the sidewall of the tyre.
For example, the notation "40-622" indicates a 40mm section (width of the tyre) and a 622mm diameter wheel.
For maximum cross-sections and wheel spacings, it is recommended that you consult your bike's manual, especially for original wheels. However, if you plan to change your wheel in order to benefit from larger cross-sections, it is essential to stay within the specified tolerance limits for your bike. This will avoid potential complications on your rides.
If you have any doubts or questions, it is best to visit a specialized dealer with your bike and ask for advice. An expert will be able to help you choose the right gravel tyres and inform you about the specific compatibilities of your bike, so that you can enjoy a safe and pleasant riding experience.
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Everything you need to know about best gravel bike tyres for your use
FAQs
Both tyres are designed for gravel riding but suit different riding profiles.
MICHELIN Power Adventure prioritises rolling efficiency and is best suited to riders who spend more time on asphalt and light trails, and who occasionally venture off-road.
MICHELIN Power Gravel is built for riders who spend more time off-road, with maximum grip on unpaved surfaces such as gravel paths and technical trails. Both are available in tubeless ready versions and are E-bike ready.
Tubeless ready tyres allow you to ride at lower pressures without the risk of a pinch puncture, which is a significant advantage on rough or unpaved terrain. Lower pressures improve grip and comfort by allowing the tyre to conform better to the surface. In the event of a small puncture, the sealant fills the hole automatically, allowing you to continue riding without stopping to change an inner tube.
Gravel tyres can be fitted to a road bike provided the frame and wheels are compatible with the tyre width. It is essential to check the maximum cross-sectional area that your tyre, wheel and frame can accept before making the switch. If in doubt, consult a specialist dealer. Bear in mind that wider gravel tyres will add some rolling resistance compared to road tyres, but will offer greater comfort and versatility on varied surfaces.
Yes. Both tyres in the MICHELIN gravel range (MICHELIN Power Adventure Competition Line and MICHELIN Power Gravel Competition Line) are E-bike ready, meaning they are reinforced to handle the additional weight and torque of electric bikes with motor assistance up to 25 km/h.