What Your Tires Will Face
Flint Hills gravel—sharp rocks that destroy tires and spirits
~90% unpaved chunky flint rock roads, ~10% paved transfers. Sharp stones slice sidewalls. Clay mud when wet becomes 'peanut butter' that stops bikes.
TECHNICAL: HIGH (3/5)
- Tire-slicing flint
- Washed-out gullies
- Punchy rolling hills
- Rivers to ford
- Primitive unmaintained roads
Best Tires for Unbound Gravel 100
Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite
Recommended: 40mm — $69.90The mud tire. When the course is saturated, this is what you mount.
For Unbound Gravel 100: 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
Tufo Gravel Swampero
Recommended: 40mm — $69.95Budget mud weapon. Deep lugs for when the course turns to soup.
For Unbound Gravel 100: $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
Schwalbe G-One Overland
Recommended: 40mm — $69.90All-conditions adventurer. Handles mud, wet, and loose with confidence.
For Unbound Gravel 100: 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
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 |
Sharp surfaces: err on the higher end to prevent pinch flats and rim damage. Mud: drop 3-5 psi below 'wet' values for maximum 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
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 Unbound Gravel 100. Print it and tape it to your stem.
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