GravelKing SK vs Byways vs Switchback Hill?

[Stevef]

I put a pair of 650bX48 Panaracer Gravelking SKs on my Renegade recently-they're pretty great on area dirt roads but kinda plodding on pavement.  Most of my rides have some of both so I'm not sure the benefits outweigh the drawbacks here.  I'm thinking about trying some WTB Byways because they have a little tread/knobs on the sides with a slick center so they seem like they'd be a decent compromise.  Also thinking about just going full slick/file tread with the Switchback Hills.  Most of my dirt roads are pretty smooth but the shoulders can get gravelly and dusty/sandy so some little bit of tread seems like a good idea.  Has anyone had a chance to compare any/all of these tires that can offer an opinion on their performance on mixed-surface rides? I'm also considering just putting a Byway on the back and keeping a GK-SK on front.  Do the tan sidewalls look similar enough to pass as a set?

My Renegade looks pretty good sportin' the 650bs I think!

Thanks, Steve

[Bill M.]

I hate to lob an extra choice in here, but have you considered the Terrene Elwoods?  I have the Light version, and they have a good combination of easy rolling and grip on loose stuff.

Bill

Stockton, CA

[Kevin McGrew]

I would give another vote for the Terrene Elwood Light version.

However - your roads in that photo look just like mine and I also have to  use pavement to get there.  In that situation I have found a fully slick tire to be the best compromise.   

As a compromise I like  your idea of keeping the SK in front and running a slick in the back.  Why not just get a 48mm Gravelking slick for the back?   

[Harald Kliems]

I strongly dislike tires with a smooth center and side knobs -- the transition between the two when cornering is just awful, and I also don't think they help much with grip. On roads like the one on your picture, I'd go with slicks, front and back. As as Kevin said, the slick GravelKings are a good budget option.

 Harald in Madison (WI)

[Steve Park]

Tough choice among good options....

Elwood Lights are great for traction and handling on dirt, but I find them a quite pokey compared to SBH on smooth surfaces.  SBH are fast and still reasonably grippy on dirt but clearly not as grippy as a tire with positive tread.  

I guess it comes down to your priorities.  Speed v traction.

I like the SBH bc it never feels cumbersome and the traction on dirt is good enough especially with careful tending of psi.

[satanas]

If the road pictured is hardpack - no sand - then a slickish tyre should be fine. However, if there are any sand patches near downhill corners then side knobs are very useful if you dislike crashing - on the front at least. I haven't ridden Byways, but *well-supported* side knobs don't necessarily have to ruin cornering on bitumen. IMHO, it boils down to speed and cornering on bitumen (=> slicks) versus cornering security on loose surfaces (=> side knobs).

IME, centre knobs only matter on soft dirt or mud. The rest of the time relatively smooth centre tread is fine, but YMMV.

Later,
Stephen

[Stevef]

Thanks for the replies, they've helped!  I did consider the Elwoods, had my eye on them for a while actually.  In the end I decided I wanted to stick with tan sidewalls, tho.

I think what I've done here is something that I have done in the past--that is, buy equipment for the worst possible scenario/conditions instead of the best for "most of the time."  I miss the smooth Compass ride, the seemingly effortless, gliding way they roll.  So I'm going to have to get a set of SBH's for this application.  The 5-10% of the time that I want a bit more tread I'll just slow down and depend on my exceptional bike-handling skills.  (painfully sharpened at the cost of many miles, a fair bit of hide and blood, and a couple of broken bones.)  B-)

Steve

[Steve Park]

That is a good rule to live by.  

[Steven Frederick]

Heh, yep, but I keep having to re-learn it!

Switchback Hills ordered-I hope and expect it'll be an improvement...

Steve

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[Stevef]

Yes, Switchback Hills are more better.  Much livelier feeling and sufficient grip for the dirt roads I typically ride.  The only place they came up a little short on traction was on a climb when I deliberately drifted over into the loose gravel and sand at the edge of the road to test them.  The back spun a bit and the front squirmed around a little but neither felt completely overwhelmed.  So on 15 miles of gravel they were challenged for about 20 feet of optional loose stuff.  For the way they roll everywhere else I'll take that hit!  Next is setting them up tubeless and adding fenders...