The right tire choice for GF Strade Bianche

Famous for its challenging gravel roads and iconic white sand paths, the GF Strade Bianche places specific demands on your bike’s tires. Whether you’re riding a road bike or a gravel bike, choosing the right tires can make the difference between a successful or unsuccessful Granfondo. In this article, we’ll look at the best tires for both gravel and road bikes during the Strade Bianche.

What type of tires should I use?

The Strade Bianche is a race with a mix of paved and unpaved paths. This requires tires that provide grip on the gravel and are fast on the asphalt. For this classic, it is important to choose tires that offer the right balance between speed, grip and durability. The ideal tires for Strade Bianche are wide, with a light profile that provides sufficient grip on gravel roads, but is also suitable for fast asphalt strips.

The ideal tire width depends largely on your riding style and preferences. Tires with a slightly coarser tread for gravel roads can help minimize the loss of grip, while a tire with little tread optimizes your speed on the asphalt. Tubeless tires are recommended for Strade Bianche, as they reduce the risk of punctures and make the riding experience smoother.

Tire choice for the gravel bike at Strade Bianche

The gravel bike is designed for rougher surfaces and therefore offers more flexibility in tire choice. At Strade Bianche, the unpaved sections can be quite challenging, so it is important to choose tires that offer both comfort and grip on the gravel. For gravel races or rides on Strade Bianche, a tire width of 35 mm is ideal. This provides sufficient cushioning for the rough surfaces and reduces the chance of punctures, while still being able to ride fast on the asphalt.

Gravel bike tires often have a coarser tread than a road bike, which helps to maintain traction on loose, rocky terrain. If comfort and control are important to you, you can opt for tires with a more open tread on the sides for better grip in corners and on loose surfaces. If you decide to take part in GF Strade Bianche with your gravel bike, choose the narrowest gravel tire you can buy with the least tread possible.

Also read: Trento Gravel Escape

Tire choice for the racing bike at Strade Bianche

Although the racing bike is not traditionally intended for gravel, it is the best choice for GF Strade Bianche. Most racing bikes come standard with narrow tires, but for the Strade Bianche it is wise to consider wider tires. A tire width of 28 mm is the minimum, 30 mm is ideal. These widths are always fast, but offer more grip and comfort on gravel roads than 25 mm tires. It is important to choose a tire with a profile that can handle the asphalt, but also has sufficient grip on gravel paths.

For road bikes, it’s usually best to opt for mixed-terrain tires, such as semi-slick tires. These tires have a smooth tread for speed on asphalt, but with enough grooves on the sides for grip on dirt roads. Tubeless tires are also recommended here, as they significantly reduce the risk of punctures, especially on the rougher sections of the route. By opting for these tires, you can get the most out of the Strade Bianche without sacrificing speed or grip.

Also read: Strade Bianche Trail

Conclusion

Choosing the right tires for the Strade Bianche depends on the type of bike you ride and the balance you’re looking for between speed, grip, and comfort. Gravel bikers have more freedom to choose wider tires with a coarser tread for extra grip on gravel roads, while road cyclists will benefit from wider mixed tires that can handle both tarmac and gravel. Regardless of your choice, it’s important to choose tires that you feel comfortable with so you can ride the GF Strade Bainche with confidence.