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Panaracer Gravelking SS / SS+ smooths over dry, fast gravel w/ semi slick tread

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Panaracer Gravelking SS /  SS+ smooths over dry, fast gravel w/ semi slick tread
From L. To R., 700c x 35mm, 700c x 43mm, and 650b x 48mm.

Need something between the slick GravelKing and the knobby-er GravelKing SK? Panaracer hears you. Their answer? The new GravelKing SS and SS+. Designed for dry and fast race day conditions, the tire still offers a bit of tread to help keep things rubber side down.

Using a smooth, almost herringbone like pattern for the center tread, the GravelKing SS looks like it would be super fast on pavement and smooth, dry gravel. When you need to lean into the turn, a diamond pattern is used on the transition area followed by slightly more aggressive rectangular shoulder knobs.

Offered in both 700c and 650b sizes, available options include 700 x 28, 32, 35, and 43c or 27.5 x 1.9 (650b x 48).

Panaracer Gravelking SS /  SS+ smooths over dry, fast gravel w/ semi slick tread Panaracer Gravelking SS /  SS+ smooths over dry, fast gravel w/ semi slick tread

The tires will also come in SS or SS+ casings. Both tires use a 126 TPI casing with a nylon puncture resistant belt, but the SS+ gains a bead-to-bead layer of Panaracer’s ProTite protective material for even more protection. Both tires also use Panaracer’s ZSG (Zero Slip Grip) rubber compound.

Sold in black and brown sidewall options and in tubed or tubeless compatible casings, pricing for the SS is set at $49.99. If the SS+ follows the same pricing convention as other Panaracer tires, it will likely be $59.99. SS tires will be available in early June, while the SS+ will follow in July. Currently, the SS models are available for preorder on the Panaracer website.

panaracer.com

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15 Comments
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Seraph
Seraph
4 years ago

TIL that a “semi-slick” is the same as a slick, according to Panaracer.

Austin
Austin
4 years ago
Reply to  Seraph

Really? If anything, I wouldn’t call the slick a slick.

Seraph
Seraph
4 years ago
Reply to  Austin

At speed, microtread is the same as slick. Plus that “tread” wears out in only a few rides, so even if it did provide extra grip it would be ineffective in a short time.

Phill
Phill
4 years ago
Reply to  Seraph

also, forgot to include this in my previous comment, you are 100% correct about micro tread riding like a slick at speed in a straight line. but during cornering, especially in the wet, they offer massive traction advantages over true slicks.

Dolan Halbrook
Dolan Halbrook
4 years ago

That tread looks about ideal for a lot of the dirt roads we have out in Oregon.

phroboi
phroboi
4 years ago

Dear Panaracer,

If you’re listening: Please make 26″ GravelKing tires in addition to SK and SK+ and in multiple widths. Other than Rene Herse there are NO good options for 26″ road tubeless tires. I’d buy them, and sell them at the shop where I work.

Thanks for considering.

Frank
Frank
4 years ago
Reply to  phroboi

AGREED! There are a lot of old mountain bikes out there just in need of some decent rubber to make them great commuter or adventure bikes.

Rene Herse Rat Trap Pass are great tires, but very expensive, and not that durable. Big Apples are super heavy. There is nothing in-between.

blahblah1233445
4 years ago
Reply to  Frank

Try Furious Fred from Schwalbe, or maybe Maxxis Maxxlite?

Phill
Phill
4 years ago
Reply to  Frank

check out Maxis Roamer, DTH, Holy Roller, and Hookworm and The WTB Cruz and ThickSlick. Unfortunately all require tubes, but all are so damn beefy that I’ve never had a flat. All of them are amazing for converting old 26″ mountain bikes to really beefy commuters. The ThickSlick and DTH are the lightest (the DTH was originally designed as a BMX race tire) the thick slick is my personal favorite out of all these but if you have any sand or dirt they’re not great. The Holy Roller is a great middle weight and really good all-around (especially if there’s a significant amount of non paved surfaces). The cruze Hookworm and Roamer are basically indestructible but very heavy (all ride like the Big Apple)

Zachary W Sprague
Zachary W Sprague
4 years ago

*dimples chain stays*

Samsquanch
Samsquanch
4 years ago

A 38 or 40 version would have been nice. Big jump form 35 to 43.

Blake
Blake
4 years ago
Reply to  Samsquanch

They are doing a 38. It’s listed on jbi.

Phill
Phill
4 years ago
Reply to  Samsquanch

Panaracers 43s are just relabeled 40s. They adjusted the labeling about a year ago because their 40’s usually measured closer to 43 on modern, wide internal width (23+) rims. if you mount the 43 on a “normal” road rim (17ish) internal they mount really close to 40

Steve h
Steve h
4 years ago

Their 40’s in the gravel king always ran a bit wider than that, so they called them 43’s instead, on my 3rd set of SK’s, might have to give these a try,

Phill
Phill
4 years ago

I’ve got over 800 (mostly pavement) miles on the file tread Graveling slicks (700×28) and they still have tons of tread. If you’re wearing out herringbone tread tires after “only a few rides” I would suggest investing in higher quality tires. I have absolutely experienced what you’re talking about, but only with cheep off brand tires.

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