What is Panaracer GravelKing?
Hello, this is Ikeda.
For anyone who rides a gravel road bike, you've probably heard of the ultra-popular gravel tire, the Panaracer GravelKing.
It's a classic, a staple, a masterpiece. Grumpy has started carrying this series, which perfectly fits those descriptions.
GravelKing tires were originally developed for gravel road bikes, but after a major model change, they've become a new series.
With even more variations, incredibly easy tubeless setup, and excellent cost performance, these tires truly live up to their name, "King of Gravel."
This time, I'll give you a brief overview of the GravelKing series.
Please refer to the YouTube video as well.
True to its name, "King," the GravelKing series offers a diverse lineup to suit various riding conditions.
The tires are broadly divided into four types: "X1," "GK," "SS," and "SK."
I'll briefly introduce each, based on the proportion of on-road to off-road riding.
First up is the standard model, the GravelKing (GK).
Recommended for a 80:20 on-road to gravel ratio.
Among the GravelKing series, this is the most pavement-oriented, featuring a tread without knobs for a smooth ride.
If you primarily ride on paved roads but might encounter gravel or rough patches occasionally, the GravelKing is recommended.
Available in sizes from around 700x30c for road bikes to 650x48B for gravel and touring bikes, it's also a good choice for those who enjoy long rides and touring.
Panaracer Gravelking
Price: 6,600 yen
Next is the hybrid model, GravelKing SS, which offers comfortable riding on both on-road and off-road surfaces.
Recommended for a 50:50 on-road to gravel ratio.
The center of the tire features a smooth slick pattern, while small knobs on the sides provide ample grip on gravel roads.
The SS is also recommended for those who primarily ride on paved roads, but it's perfect if your route includes light gravel sections, such as riverbanks or parks.
Some experienced cyclists even mix and match, using the SK for better grip on the front and the SS for better rolling efficiency on the rear.
Price: 6,600 yen
Third is the latest model in the series, the GravelKing X1.
Recommended for a 40:60 on-road to gravel ratio.
Staff member Murakami uses this model, and he commutes with it primarily. He even tackles challenging areas like light trails with just this one tire.
According to him, if you ride both on-road and off-road, you can't go wrong with the X1.
The tire features blocks arranged in the center, providing a comfortable and smooth ride on paved roads, while the side blocks firmly grip the surface when riding off-road.
This is the newest flagship model among the four GravelKing types. While the available sizes are currently fewer than other models, they are expected to expand in the future.
Price: 6,600 yen
Fourth is the immensely popular model that symbolizes the GravelKing series, the GravelKing SK.
Recommended for a 30:70 on-road to gravel ratio.
While this is the most off-road oriented in the lineup, its nimble performance on paved roads is also a compelling feature.
The uniformly arranged small square blocks are excellent, covering not only gravel roads but also moderate trails.
In fact, staff member Ikeda has been a long-time user of this model, having used 650B, 700c, and 29-inch versions, and including previous iterations, this is his third set.
Having experienced the previous models, he's incredibly impressed by how easy this new series is to set up, almost to the point of addiction.
He has ridden it in various locations, including mountains, rivers, forest roads, and long rides, and it offers excellent balance and reliability regardless of the terrain. If you're unsure which gravel tire to choose, you can't go wrong with the SK.
It comes in a wide range of sizes, including 700c, 650B, 26-inch, and 29-inch.
Price: 6,600 yen
That concludes the introduction to the four series.
However, the GravelKing series has even more depth.
In addition to the four models introduced here, each is further divided into three types: "Standard," "R (lightweight)," and "+ (durability)."
Even within the same model, these three features can slightly change its preferred terrain.
Furthermore, with various sizes, colors, and clincher-specific tires, the GravelKing series truly offers a wide variety to choose from.
We've also set up a dedicated corner in our store and are gradually expanding the lineup. You can even take them home or have them installed right away.
If you're looking for a cost-effective gravel tire that's also tubeless-compatible, give the GravelKing a try.
