Maxxis
Have a few hundred CO winter road miles on these so far. They roll nicely and feel very robust. They're a little on the heavy side, but that kinda makes sense for a training tire. I think I found my long-term training tires.
I have an Argon Dark Matter gravel bike that I purchased in 2020. It came with Panracer gravel tires which I found to not be very durable. On advice from my best friend at the bike shop, I bought the Maxxis Rambler 700x40 gravel bike tires and the ride, durability and grip on gravel in corners was what I was looking for. I've since raced and done numerous gravel bike events on these tires for the past 2 years and they are the only gravel bike tires I use; currently on my 4th set.
I run a DC 2.4 Dissector on the back of my hardtail and 140mm trail bike. It's been a really fun tire because when you're pedaling it remains fast due to the relatively short heavily ramped center knobs, but when you lean the bike over or are descending, the side knobs are there to have your back. It's way faster than a DHR2 for the rear, but of course won't climb or brake as well.
If you like to slide a bit either under braking or into corners, this is a fun tire because the knobs will be there to back you up, but the tire certainly doesn't REQUIRE those antics, just happily accepts them. The only time I feel let down by this tire is climbing the deep dusty stuff where the super ramped knobs start to spin and don't really catch. The DC is long wearing - I wish it would wear out quicker to justify trying the 3C version.
I like pairing this with a DHF or DHR2 front in the Northeast, as we've got lots of undulating terrain, punchy singletrack, and some great local enduro style riding.
I have been using the 700x40 silk shield model for three years for training and some races. During that time I have had zero punctures in an estimated 5,000+ miles of riding. My riding is a mixture of pavement, smooth gravel, loose gravel, some dirt roads/paths, stream crossings and chunky gravel. Traction is very good except for very deep and loose conditions. These are not mud tires but they do handle sloppy surfaces fairly well. I have used these tires numerous times in races that were mostly gravel and felt that they were not holding me back. I have tried other tires for training but the silk shield Ramblers seem to be the best choice for my riding in MO and southern IL.
