What Your Tires Will Face
Forest service roads and gravel
Mix of gravel roads and forest service roads around Lake Cowichan. Variable surface quality with technical sections.
TECHNICAL: HIGH (3/5)
- Rolling to hilly terrain
- Forest service roads
- Lake views
- Dense forest sections
- Technical descents
Best Tires for Cowichan Crusher Gravel Fondo
Vittoria Terreno Wet
Recommended: 40mm — $79.99Wet-condition weapon. Graphene compound grips when surfaces get slick.
For Cowichan Crusher Gravel Fondo: 39.0W rolling resistance, $79.99 MSRP, 460g per tire (40mm). Wet-condition weapon. Graphene compound grips when surfaces get slick.
Strengths
- Excellent wet grip
- Good mud shedding
- Graphene compound
Trade-offs
- Slow on dry surfaces
- Moderate puncture protection
- Limited use case
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S
Recommended: 40mm — $73.99Soft-terrain specialist. Open knob pattern sheds mud and grips wet rock.
For Cowichan Crusher Gravel Fondo: $73.99 MSRP, 430g per tire (40mm), strong wet grip. Soft-terrain specialist. Open knob pattern sheds mud and grips wet rock.
Strengths
- Excellent wet grip
- Good mud shedding
- Strong cornering
Trade-offs
- High rolling resistance
- Slow on pavement
- Wears faster on hard surfaces
Schwalbe G-One Overland
Recommended: 40mm — $69.90All-conditions adventurer. Handles mud, wet, and loose with confidence.
For Cowichan Crusher Gravel Fondo: 40.0W rolling resistance, $69.90 MSRP, 490g per tire (40mm). All-conditions adventurer. Handles mud, wet, and loose with confidence.
Strengths
- Excellent all-condition grip
- Strong puncture protection
- Good mud shedding
Trade-offs
- Slow on dry pavement
- Heavy
- Not a speed tire
Front: Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass (44mm) — Rear: Vittoria Terreno Wet (40mm)
Faster front for reduced rolling resistance on straights, grippier rear for traction on loose climbs and corners
Pressure Recommendations (40mm)
| Rider Weight | Dry | Mixed | Wet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140-160 lbs | 34-38 psi | 30-34 psi | 28-32 psi |
| 160-180 lbs | 36-40 psi | 34-38 psi | 32-36 psi |
| 180-200 lbs | 40-44 psi | 36-40 psi | 34-38 psi |
| 200+ lbs | 42-46 psi | 40-44 psi | 38-42 psi |
All pressures assume tubeless setup with 21-25mm internal width rims. Wider rims allow 2-3 PSI lower. Add 5-8 psi for tubes. Pressures are starting points — fine-tune during training rides on similar surfaces.
Race-Day Tire Setup
Tubeless
Strongly recommended
Technical terrain and sharp surfaces make tubeless essential. Self-sealing capability is critical.
Sealant
60-90ml
Standard amount should work fine for this course.
Spare Strategy
Carry a tube and tire plugs. Technical terrain increases the chance of a sidewall cut.
Pre-Race Break-In
Mount tires 2-3 days before race day. Ride at least 30 minutes to seat the bead, check for sealant leaks, and verify tire pressure holds overnight.
Plan B Tires
Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass (44mm) — $89.00
Supple luxury. Ultra-comfortable ride with surprisingly low rolling resistance. Review →
GET YOUR RACE DAY SETUP CARD
Tire picks, pressure chart, sealant amounts, and tubeless tips — customized for Cowichan Crusher Gravel Fondo. Print it and tape it to your stem.
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