What Your Tires Will Face
Classic Nebraska farm gravel with minimum maintenance roads
Loose gravel, some rough minimum maintenance, occasional sand/mud
TECHNICAL: HIGH (3/5)
- Endless horizon
- Farm crossings
- Rolling terrain
- Prairie isolation
Best Tires for Gravel Worlds
Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite
Recommended: 40mm — $69.90The mud tire. When the course is saturated, this is what you mount.
For Gravel Worlds: 42.0W rolling resistance, $69.90 MSRP, 500g per tire (40mm). The mud tire. When the course is saturated, this is what you mount.
Strengths
- Excellent mud shedding
- Strong wet grip
- Wide width range
Trade-offs
- Very slow on dry surfaces
- Buzzy on pavement
- Heavy
Vittoria Terreno Wet
Recommended: 40mm — $79.99Wet-condition weapon. Graphene compound grips when surfaces get slick.
For Gravel Worlds: 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
Tufo Gravel Swampero
Recommended: 40mm — $69.95Budget mud weapon. Deep lugs for when the course turns to soup.
For Gravel Worlds: $69.95 MSRP, 480g per tire (40mm), strong wet grip. Budget mud weapon. Deep lugs for when the course turns to soup.
Strengths
- Excellent mud grip
- Affordable
- Good clay shedding
Trade-offs
- Very slow on dry surfaces
- Limited to mud use
- Basic construction
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 |
Mud: drop 3-5 psi below 'wet' values for maximum traction. Loose surfaces: lower pressure increases contact patch and traction.
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
Vittoria Terreno Dry (40mm) — $79.99
Graphene-powered speed. Purpose-built for dry gravel racing. Review →
GET YOUR RACE DAY SETUP CARD
Tire picks, pressure chart, sealant amounts, and tubeless tips — customized for Gravel Worlds. Print it and tape it to your stem.
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