ERE’s Tenaci gravel bike rolling stock gets an upgrade for 2021, with more capable tires and a new affordable alloy gravel wheelset. We first spotted the fast-rolling ERE Research Tenaci gravel tires back in 2018 in a wide range of sizes offering mixed-surface grip for all-road to fast gravel bikes. Now Tenaci moves a bit further off-road with more comfort & control in bigger volumes and a lighter weight tubeless construction, and its own dedicated aluminum wheelset.
ERE Tenaci gravel bike family expands with new wheels and wide tires
ERE names each of its disciplines after a key word in Latin, with the gravel range Tenaci meaning grip. Since gravel has pretty much blown up since Tenaci’s debut three years ago, ERE Research figured it was time to update the gravel line-up. The new alloy wheels offer an affordable, comfortable mixed-surface option. And even the new and lighter tires come down in price while getting bigger volumes, and a more premium supple option.
ERE Tenaci GR20 alloy gravel bike wheels
While ERE’s new gravel tires are made for a premium ride, the GR20 wheels are more about striking a no-nonsense balance of strength, durability & value at a decently light weight.
Claimed to weigh 1625g for the 700c pair (737g front, 887g rear), the GR20s get a tubeless-ready, hooked aluminum rim with a 24mm internal width, 28mm outside, and 22mm deep.
The affordable low-profile alloy gravel wheels build with 24 straight-pull aero spokes and alloy nipples front & rear, like the rest of their wheels. Built around 12mm thru-axles & centerlock disc brake mounts, the alloy hubs come standard with premium steel Japanese EZO bearings, or an extra 100€ option for a ceramic upgrade.
The hubs are offered with Shimano, SRAM XDR, or Campagnolo’s new 11-13sp compatible N3W body.
The $500 / 400€ ERE Tenaci GR20 alloy wheels come in six decal color options to best match your gravel bike – green, red, purple, blue, Albi white, or Obscuri black. They come pre-taped for tubeless setups (but without tubeless valves.) ERE also includes a lifetime warranty on the wheels, plus a 50% off crash replacement program.
ERE Tenaci TLR wider & handmade tubeless gravel bike tire updates
More than just going wider, ERE give their Tenaci gravel tires more options in this new update – all sharing the original tread design, meant to roll fast on hardpack, offer wider contact patch on loose gravel & sand, then engage more open shoulder knobs in soft dirt & when cornering.
Essentially there will now be two tubeless constructions to choose from – a standard 120tpi TLR nylon casing with low rolling resistance 65a durometer HPC synthetic rubber, and an all-new lighter, more supple 220tpi handmade cotton CC TLR tire with grippier 65a UPC natural rubber.
Both share similar Armis 2 bead-to-bead sidewall protection, with the nylon tires likely getting a butyl coating and the cotton tires getting a 3-layer latex coating. Both are said to create an airtight seal, but either construction should be used with sealant for a tubeless setup.
Three sizes will now be offered in the Tenaci TLR tubeless gravel tires – 34mm, 38mm & 44mm (up from the 30-40mm range of the first Tenaci generation).
The standard 120tpi TLR tire will be available in all three sizes, and in either black or tan skinwall options for each size.
Claimed weights of 347g (34), 410g (38) & 555g (44) make them a bit lighter than gen1. All of the standard 120tpi Tenaci TLR tires sell for the same $59 / 49€.
The more supple 220tpi Tenaci CC TLR tire will be available only in a 38mm version for the time being, and will sell for $79 / 69€. Final weight should be 423g for the 38mm tire, with availability coming in March 2021.
Outside of the cotton tire, all of the other new Tenaci gravel wheels & tires are available now, direct from ERE and through their international distributors.
