What Your Tires Will Face
Mixed mountain bike terrain following the Continental Divide
~90% unpaved: 2,100 miles of gravel/dirt roads, ~60 miles singletrack, ~950 miles paved. Surfaces range from smooth gravel to unmaintained trails to rocky New Mexico terrain.
TECHNICAL: HIGH (3/5)
- Indiana Pass—highest point at 11,913ft
- Fleecer Ridge—toughest climb with infamous descent
- Great Divide Basin—100+ miles of waterless desert
- 30+ Continental Divide crossings
- Gila Wilderness—steep, rugged New Mexico mountains
Best Tires for Tour Divide
Schwalbe G-One Overland
Recommended: 40mm — $69.90All-conditions adventurer. Handles mud, wet, and loose with confidence.
For Tour Divide: 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
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S
Recommended: 40mm — $73.99Soft-terrain specialist. Open knob pattern sheds mud and grips wet rock.
For Tour Divide: $73.99 MSRP, 430g per tire (40mm), high puncture resistance for sharp surfaces. 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
Vittoria Terreno Wet
Recommended: 40mm — $79.99Wet-condition weapon. Graphene compound grips when surfaces get slick.
For Tour Divide: 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
Front: Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass (44mm) — Rear: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S (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
Use the higher end of the range. Sharp surfaces demand extra sealant.
Spare Strategy
Carry a tube, tire plugs, AND a tire boot. Sharp surfaces can cause cuts too large for sealant alone.
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 Tour Divide. Print it and tape it to your stem.
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