
User submitted reviews
Review by FolsomRiderReviewed 8/27/2022by FolsomRiderCycling EnthusiastNorthern California 3 of 3 customers found this review helpful.Real World Comparison with Bontrager Hard Case LiteCompared to the Bontrager Hard Case Lite R3, these tires are the best by far. I have a 2022 Trek Domane SL5, which comes stock with 32mil Bontrager R3s. I brought the bike back to the store because the tires were losing 15 to 25 pounds of air overnight. On a century ride, I had to pump the tires every 20 miles! They suspected the tape on the rims was bad and replaced it. That helped very little. In addition, the R3s got punctures easily and sealant would seep out through the tread and sidewalls at 70 pounds pressure.
A couple of weeks ago I ran over something that put a 1inch slice in the sidewall of the rear tire and it was ruined. So I replaced the Bontragers with Panaracer Gravelkings. I got exactly the same size (32m). What a difference! They�re much more sure footed on fast downhills and sharp turns. They feel more stable, comfortable and are noticeably quieter. I expected the Gravelkings to be heavier and slower since they have a more puncture resistant tread (you can feel the difference when you install them), but they are actually about the same weight and I�ve noticed no difference in rolling resistance or speed on my usual routes. But I have noticed a MUCH better ride and they hold air longer. I�m so happy with these tires- they�re better in every way, and even less expensive than the Bontragers. I�m a huge fan of Panaracer now.
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Compared to the Bontrager Hard Case Lite R3, these tires are the best by far. I have a 2022 Trek Domane SL5, which comes stock with 32mil Bontrager R3s. I brought the bike back to the store because the tires were losing 15 to 25 pounds of air overnight. On a century ride, I had to pump the tires every 20 miles! They suspected the tape on the rims was bad and replaced it. That helped very little. In addition, the R3s got punctures easily and sealant would seep out through the tread and sidewalls at 70 pounds pressure.
A couple of weeks ago I ran over something that put a 1inch slice in the sidewall of the rear tire and it was ruined. So I replaced the Bontragers with Panaracer Gravelkings. I got exactly the same size (32m). What a difference! They�re much more sure footed on fast downhills and sharp turns. They feel more stable, comfortable and are noticeably quieter. I expected the Gravelkings to be heavier and slower since they have a more puncture resistant tread (you can feel the difference when you install them), but they are actually about the same weight and I�ve noticed no difference in rolling resistance or speed on my usual routes. But I have noticed a MUCH better ride and they hold air longer. I�m so happy with these tires- they�re better in every way, and even less expensive than the Bontragers. I�m a huge fan of Panaracer now.
Review by JDReviewed 4/20/2023by JDCompetitive RacerPortland0 of 3 customers found this review helpful.Flat prone and spookyWorst tire I have ever used. These tires get punctured, cut, and flat more than any other tire I have ever used. If I leave the bike sitting in the garage overnight, I�ll see little bubbles of white fluid around the entire circumference of both front and rear wheels (tire sealant). Luckily, the tire sealant is working and filling those the holes but it�s just a sign of how prone these tires are to road debris. The tread is not even worn through. On top of that, running this tire on the front regardless of pressure gives you a spooky road feel above 25mph. It is not confidence-inspiring at all and feels like the wheel is not tight in the fork or you�re starting to get a flat. I would not recommend these to anyone! I use the 38mm tire.
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Worst tire I have ever used. These tires get punctured, cut, and flat more than any other tire I have ever used. If I leave the bike sitting in the garage overnight, I�ll see little bubbles of white fluid around the entire circumference of both front and rear wheels (tire sealant). Luckily, the tire sealant is working and filling those the holes but it�s just a sign of how prone these tires are to road debris. The tread is not even worn through. On top of that, running this tire on the front regardless of pressure gives you a spooky road feel above 25mph. It is not confidence-inspiring at all and feels like the wheel is not tight in the fork or you�re starting to get a flat. I would not recommend these to anyone! I use the 38mm tire.
Review by AnonymousReviewed 4/13/2023by AnonymousCompetitive RacerBeaverton, OR0 of 3 customers found this review helpful.Spooky and always going flatWorst tire I have ever used. These tires get punctured, cut, and flat more than any other tire I have ever used. If I leave the bike sitting in the garage overnight, I'll see little bubbles of white fluid around the entire circumference of both front and rear wheels. Luckily, the tire sealant is working and filling all the holes but it's just a sign of how prone these tires are to road debris. On top of that, running this tire on the front regardless of pressure gives you a spooky road feel above 25mph. It is not confidence-inspiring at all and feels like the wheel is not tight in the fork or you're starting to get a flat. I would not recommend these to anyone! I use the 38mm tire.
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Worst tire I have ever used. These tires get punctured, cut, and flat more than any other tire I have ever used. If I leave the bike sitting in the garage overnight, I'll see little bubbles of white fluid around the entire circumference of both front and rear wheels. Luckily, the tire sealant is working and filling all the holes but it's just a sign of how prone these tires are to road debris. On top of that, running this tire on the front regardless of pressure gives you a spooky road feel above 25mph. It is not confidence-inspiring at all and feels like the wheel is not tight in the fork or you're starting to get a flat. I would not recommend these to anyone! I use the 38mm tire.
Review by Craig SReviewed 6/19/2023by Craig SCycling EnthusiastAstoria OR1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.A great tire for the roads & paths.A very good tire for the tarmac. Fast and comfortable. I use these as a road set for my gravel bike. Durable enough if you find yourself on a packed trail. Super squirrelly on anything loose but that's not what they're for anyway.
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A very good tire for the tarmac. Fast and comfortable. I use these as a road set for my gravel bike. Durable enough if you find yourself on a packed trail. Super squirrelly on anything loose but that's not what they're for anyway.
Review by PawlcrawlReviewed 6/9/2023by PawlcrawlCompetitive Racer2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.IndestructibleI have beaten the hell out of these tires on the road and on singletrack and wow are they resilient. I've only started to get punctures here near the end of a 3+yr life and thousands of miles. Nothing a Stans plug couldn't fix.
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I have beaten the hell out of these tires on the road and on singletrack and wow are they resilient. I've only started to get punctures here near the end of a 3+yr life and thousands of miles. Nothing a Stans plug couldn't fix.
Review by AnonymousReviewed 5/23/2023by AnonymousCycling EnthusiastColorado Mountains and roads3 of 3 customers found this review helpful.Long time fan of the Panaracer Gravel KingThe Gravel King provides a great ride on both gravel and pavement. They corner great on pavement - twisty roads are a delight. Hold up super well on gravel and provide stability even when the surface is loose and sketchy.
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The Gravel King provides a great ride on both gravel and pavement. They corner great on pavement - twisty roads are a delight. Hold up super well on gravel and provide stability even when the surface is loose and sketchy.
Review by flatfishfoolReviewed 8/30/2022by flatfishfoolCycling EnthusiastAnchorage, AK5 of 5 customers found this review helpful.Enjoyed this tire but am getting many flatsBought these in 38mm this spring for my gravel bike, running with tubes. I ride mixed road and trails with about 2/3 time on asphalt road or trail and 1/3 packed gravel. These were great for the first few hundred miles this spring/summer but lately I have been getting many flats and finding a lot of small slices all the way through the rubber. In some cases I have found a small glass shard that has punctured all the way through and is embedded. These road hazards are all part of the deal but I am not finding that the advertised puncture resistance is very good. Maybe I got a bad batch or they changed manufacturing lately.
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Bought these in 38mm this spring for my gravel bike, running with tubes. I ride mixed road and trails with about 2/3 time on asphalt road or trail and 1/3 packed gravel. These were great for the first few hundred miles this spring/summer but lately I have been getting many flats and finding a lot of small slices all the way through the rubber. In some cases I have found a small glass shard that has punctured all the way through and is embedded. These road hazards are all part of the deal but I am not finding that the advertised puncture resistance is very good. Maybe I got a bad batch or they changed manufacturing lately.
Review by D Boone Biking AdventuresReviewed 12/8/2018by D Boone Biking AdventuresCycling EnthusiastSo Cal10 of 10 customers found this review helpful.Great smooth riding gravel tiresThese tires are a great option if you do a mix of dirt and road riding, as they roll smoothly on road as well. Even though they dont have knobs, they do surprisingly well in dry dirt. Sand or mud may not be the best for these tires, but for hard pack they work really well, and for loosely packed dirt theyre good also. The tan sidewall is cool, and seems fairly tough. These tires are fairly light also, compared to some other tires with more tread or knobs. Time will tell if they last, but running them tubeless theyve been great so far.
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These tires are a great option if you do a mix of dirt and road riding, as they roll smoothly on road as well. Even though they dont have knobs, they do surprisingly well in dry dirt. Sand or mud may not be the best for these tires, but for hard pack they work really well, and for loosely packed dirt theyre good also. The tan sidewall is cool, and seems fairly tough. These tires are fairly light also, compared to some other tires with more tread or knobs. Time will tell if they last, but running them tubeless theyve been great so far.
Review by Biking in EPReviewed 6/23/2022by Biking in EPCycling EnthusiastMinneapolis8 of 8 customers found this review helpful.Breaking up is hard to doI loved this tire, the wonderful plush ride (with tubes), the low rolling resistance, the relative good handling and ability to ride pavement and rail-to-trail gravel with no compromises. Yet, I've never had so many flats in my 50 years of riding road, mountain and snow. And I ride good roads! Rims and rimstrips all in good shape. Had plenty opportunity to examine inside and astounded there's a so-called flat protective layer because I don't see it. When the first flat happened, I attributed it to a pinch flat from low-ish 50psi. Consistently running 70 psi since and still, about 4 flats riding on good roads and minor gravel. Latest is tiny slice through and into the tube but no object in the tire. More psi = more jarring ride so I'm back shopping other brands. Maybe tubeless+sealant resolves these puncture issues since most have favorable reviews. But I can't enjoy a blissful ride with tubes risking another untimely flat.
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I loved this tire, the wonderful plush ride (with tubes), the low rolling resistance, the relative good handling and ability to ride pavement and rail-to-trail gravel with no compromises. Yet, I've never had so many flats in my 50 years of riding road, mountain and snow. And I ride good roads! Rims and rimstrips all in good shape. Had plenty opportunity to examine inside and astounded there's a so-called flat protective layer because I don't see it. When the first flat happened, I attributed it to a pinch flat from low-ish 50psi. Consistently running 70 psi since and still, about 4 flats riding on good roads and minor gravel. Latest is tiny slice through and into the tube but no object in the tire. More psi = more jarring ride so I'm back shopping other brands. Maybe tubeless+sealant resolves these puncture issues since most have favorable reviews. But I can't enjoy a blissful ride with tubes risking another untimely flat.
Review by NigelReviewed 9/10/2018by NigelCycling EnthusiastVancouver1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.Excellent tire, best bang for your buck.Best value for performance weight and protection. Not the longest wearing tire but great for spring summer and fall, I switch to a thicker tire for the winter months.
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Best value for performance weight and protection. Not the longest wearing tire but great for spring summer and fall, I switch to a thicker tire for the winter months.
Review by AnonymousReviewed 9/6/2018by Anonymous2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.Great tiresSuper cool tires fast and very grippy they are everything i was hoping for. One thing they are hard to get on the wheel i mean hard besides that awesome product.
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Super cool tires fast and very grippy they are everything i was hoping for. One thing they are hard to get on the wheel i mean hard besides that awesome product.
Review by flatfishfoolReviewed 6/28/2023by flatfishfoolCycling EnthusiastAlaska1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.punctures a lot, only use it if you are tubelessI previously reviewed this tire giving it low ratings. I have returned for an update and to echo others. When I rode this with tubes, after a few hundred miles it became unrideable. I would get 2-3 flats per ride, mostly in the rear but sometimes front also. After becoming a patching expert for awhile I took them off and threw them away. A friend also had them but ran them tubeless and he said they were fine. So I thought I might have had a bad batch. Since I otherwise love the slick and 38 width and couldn't find a good alternative, I bought them again to run tubeless. Tubeless they are great but only because the slime plugs the holes. I counted 24 punctures in my rear tire yesterday after 400 miles.
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I previously reviewed this tire giving it low ratings. I have returned for an update and to echo others. When I rode this with tubes, after a few hundred miles it became unrideable. I would get 2-3 flats per ride, mostly in the rear but sometimes front also. After becoming a patching expert for awhile I took them off and threw them away. A friend also had them but ran them tubeless and he said they were fine. So I thought I might have had a bad batch. Since I otherwise love the slick and 38 width and couldn't find a good alternative, I bought them again to run tubeless. Tubeless they are great but only because the slime plugs the holes. I counted 24 punctures in my rear tire yesterday after 400 miles.
Review by AnonymousReviewed 3/21/2023by AnonymousCycling EnthusiastNCGreat Road Tire for Some Mixed SurfacePut these on my first actual road bike. I'm more of a gravel/mountain biker and these have performed well for all the light gravel and dirt I have used them on. Only a little over 100 miles and they have expanded a bit to just under the marked 26mm, but have performed well to my expectations.
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Put these on my first actual road bike. I'm more of a gravel/mountain biker and these have performed well for all the light gravel and dirt I have used them on. Only a little over 100 miles and they have expanded a bit to just under the marked 26mm, but have performed well to my expectations.
Review by MadFiberRideReviewed 3/26/2017by MadFiberRideCompetitive RacerSeattle11 of 12 customers found this review helpful.32mm - Great tire for all round riding with packed dirt.Used on a go-for-coffee bike and general commuter on a route that includes some hilly grass sections and trails. Very nice riding and they feel fast.
No flats yet. If you are getting 5 flats in 100 miles, there is something other than the tire causing a problem.
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Used on a go-for-coffee bike and general commuter on a route that includes some hilly grass sections and trails. Very nice riding and they feel fast.
No flats yet. If you are getting 5 flats in 100 miles, there is something other than the tire causing a problem.
Review by Old riderReviewed 10/25/2021by Old riderCompetitive RacerNew England7 of 7 customers found this review helpful.Great on asphaltI've purchased these several times, in 26, 28, and 32mm widths. I find them to be great tires for training on the road. The tread is standard file. Quality control is excellent. I'm a 190 pound rider, so I run the 28 or 32 on my bikes that will fit them, and 26 on the road frames with less clearance. I as low as 70 psi in a 32, but generally 90-100 with 26 and 28. I find these tires roll well. I won't go on about them being "supple" or having a smooth ride, because for the most part I consider that to be nonsense. On a nice steel frame they give a good ride. On a carbon race bike, sharp edge bumps feel like sharp edged bumps. I've never found traction on asphalt to be a problem with these either. Mounting them is not difficult; they fit tight enough without being a chore to get on the rim. What I find most remarkable about these tires is that while the do seem to pick up a lot of glass shards, it's pretty rare that it works it's way through to cause a flat. I carefully pick the glass out of my tires every week or two. I've had absurd amounts of glass embedded in these without flatting. I've worn a few right to the casing. I can't say that for many other tires, which often suffer some sort of fatal damage before the tread is gone. For the price these are my go-to training tires.
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I've purchased these several times, in 26, 28, and 32mm widths. I find them to be great tires for training on the road. The tread is standard file. Quality control is excellent. I'm a 190 pound rider, so I run the 28 or 32 on my bikes that will fit them, and 26 on the road frames with less clearance. I as low as 70 psi in a 32, but generally 90-100 with 26 and 28. I find these tires roll well. I won't go on about them being "supple" or having a smooth ride, because for the most part I consider that to be nonsense. On a nice steel frame they give a good ride. On a carbon race bike, sharp edge bumps feel like sharp edged bumps. I've never found traction on asphalt to be a problem with these either. Mounting them is not difficult; they fit tight enough without being a chore to get on the rim. What I find most remarkable about these tires is that while the do seem to pick up a lot of glass shards, it's pretty rare that it works it's way through to cause a flat. I carefully pick the glass out of my tires every week or two. I've had absurd amounts of glass embedded in these without flatting. I've worn a few right to the casing. I can't say that for many other tires, which often suffer some sort of fatal damage before the tread is gone. For the price these are my go-to training tires.
Review by AnonymousReviewed 12/25/2022by AnonymousFlorida West CoastJust what I was looking forI wanted a smooth rolling wide (35mm) tire for my gravel Bike for road riding.. These tires have jus the right amount of tread and seem fast to me for a wide tire. We get a lot of shell, etc on the roads and I would like a gator skin equivalent but�I have had a few punctures and the sealant (Stan�s) has worked each time.
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I wanted a smooth rolling wide (35mm) tire for my gravel Bike for road riding.. These tires have jus the right amount of tread and seem fast to me for a wide tire. We get a lot of shell, etc on the roads and I would like a gator skin equivalent but�I have had a few punctures and the sealant (Stan�s) has worked each time.
Review by AnonymousReviewed 2/9/2015by AnonymousOregon 23 of 23 customers found this review helpful.Better than my old gatorskins! My new favorite winter training road tire.Gravel kings have been great! I was a little worried it would be too much tire tread for how much road riding I do but I love them. There's so much crap on the road this time of year they definitely provide some extra security. 28's are the way to go! No issues on group rides at all or holding my speed plus it's nice knowing if I want to take a detour on some fire roads i can link all kinds of new rides together. I've ridden them anywhere from 80 to 105 psi, no pinch flats or flats at all. I've put at least 500 miles on them already & they still look brand new.
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Gravel kings have been great! I was a little worried it would be too much tire tread for how much road riding I do but I love them. There's so much crap on the road this time of year they definitely provide some extra security. 28's are the way to go! No issues on group rides at all or holding my speed plus it's nice knowing if I want to take a detour on some fire roads i can link all kinds of new rides together. I've ridden them anywhere from 80 to 105 psi, no pinch flats or flats at all. I've put at least 500 miles on them already & they still look brand new.
Review by InclineMarkReviewed 6/28/2021by InclineMarkCycling EnthusiastSF Bay Area6 of 6 customers found this review helpful.Very Nice Surprise How Wonderful these Tires Are!After reading a British cycling review of these tires, on a whim I bought these 700 X 38 Slicks for my Road/Gravel Bike before a team cycling tour of the Eastern Sierra/White Mountains. I installed them on my DTSwiss C1800 wheels as tubeless and thoroughly enjoyed how comfortable they were on the rough mountain roads. I ran them at 45 psi front/50 rear and I floated over the expansion cracks on the mountain roads. I trained with them on my home roads before the trip and I felt no reduction in speed and I really pushed them on descents and they cornered well. After the trip, I put my gravel tires back on my DTSwiss wheels, but when my GP5000 TL 700 X 32's wear out on my road wheel set, I'll put the Panaracer Slicks back on. I am a decent 66 year old rider and at this point comfort wins out over pure speed and weight-weenie-ness!
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After reading a British cycling review of these tires, on a whim I bought these 700 X 38 Slicks for my Road/Gravel Bike before a team cycling tour of the Eastern Sierra/White Mountains. I installed them on my DTSwiss C1800 wheels as tubeless and thoroughly enjoyed how comfortable they were on the rough mountain roads. I ran them at 45 psi front/50 rear and I floated over the expansion cracks on the mountain roads. I trained with them on my home roads before the trip and I felt no reduction in speed and I really pushed them on descents and they cornered well. After the trip, I put my gravel tires back on my DTSwiss wheels, but when my GP5000 TL 700 X 32's wear out on my road wheel set, I'll put the Panaracer Slicks back on. I am a decent 66 year old rider and at this point comfort wins out over pure speed and weight-weenie-ness!
Review by Jon TateReviewed 3/29/2021by Jon TateDaily CommuterNashville, TN1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.Great looking tires with really nice road feel!I'd read accounts of this being a favorite tire for many commuters. I got a pair (tubeless) for upgrades to a new All City Space Horse. I've only taken a couple of rides since finishing that project and mounting the tires, but I can tell you that they have an excellent road feel. Yes, they are pretty tight and you'll need to get that firs bead in the center of the rim before trying to get that last 4-5 inches of the other side mounted, but it wasn't a problem for me. I don't have plans to run them tubeless right now, but I could if I changed my mind. Brown sidewalls look really cool with matching bar tape.
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I'd read accounts of this being a favorite tire for many commuters. I got a pair (tubeless) for upgrades to a new All City Space Horse. I've only taken a couple of rides since finishing that project and mounting the tires, but I can tell you that they have an excellent road feel. Yes, they are pretty tight and you'll need to get that firs bead in the center of the rim before trying to get that last 4-5 inches of the other side mounted, but it wasn't a problem for me. I don't have plans to run them tubeless right now, but I could if I changed my mind. Brown sidewalls look really cool with matching bar tape.
Review by theAReviewed 3/16/2021by theACycling EnthusiastSoCAL6 of 6 customers found this review helpful.Worth Every PennyThis is the best purchase I have made in a long time. I live in an area with really bad roads, debris, sand, cracks and just overall poor conditions. I frequently ride in a State Park (USA)that has no bike lanes and some rocky gravel portions on the trail. These tires handle so the poor roads so well. Loose gravel not an issue. Rain, you can feel the grip. Bumpy roads not so bad now with the 26mm tires. I will be buying a second pair and I am considering making these my permanent tires.
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This is the best purchase I have made in a long time. I live in an area with really bad roads, debris, sand, cracks and just overall poor conditions. I frequently ride in a State Park (USA)that has no bike lanes and some rocky gravel portions on the trail. These tires handle so the poor roads so well. Loose gravel not an issue. Rain, you can feel the grip. Bumpy roads not so bad now with the 26mm tires. I will be buying a second pair and I am considering making these my permanent tires.