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Sea Otter Classic: Panaracer Adds New GravelKing Sizes

Written by Ron Frazelle Apr 21, 2023 12:13 p.m. ET

Photo c. R. Frazelle

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The gravel tire kings, Panaracer Tires releases some exciting new sizes to their iconic GravelKing line and updated additions to their Agilest Road group. I got to see the new tires up-close and personal while attending day 1 of the Sea Otter Classic yesterday. Let’s take a quick look.

Panaracer Gravelking 29x2.1 — Photo c. R. Frazelle New GravelKing SK in 29 x 2.1″

Panaracer GravelKing SK tread — Photo c. R. Frazelle New GravelKing SK in 29 x 2.1″

The beast of the bunch is the new GravelKing SK in the 29 x 2.1″. Not only is the SK version of the GK the most aggressive of the bunch, but now with this new bigger size, you’re sure to increase the traction with a larger footprint when you’re puttin’ the horses down.

The other new addition to the GK family is the 700 x 43c in the OG GravelKing tread (slick). Just as tough as the original segment starter, this new size offers the 700c crowd extra volume, making it exceptional for the roads less traveled.

New Tougher/Lighter Agilest Tires

Continuing to be a prime example of the “Panaracer Ratio” with its balance of performance, puncture resistance, and grip while excelling at low rolling resistance, the Agilest Lite has added lighter compounds for sizes in the 700c x 28, and 25. The 700 x 28mm is weighing in at 190g, while the 25mm clocks in at a superlight 165g

Also added to the Algiest line are a tubeless (TLR) version of the tough DURO as well as two new sizes: 700c x 30 and 32mm both available in tan or black wall.

Panaracer.com

Ron Frazelle

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Ron Frazelle is the Cycling Lifestyle Editor for Bikerumor, he has been writing about bicycles and the cycling way of life for 7+ years. Prior to Bikerumor, he worked in the bicycle industry, living and breathing bicycles since 1995. He is based in Anaheim, California, Frazelle is an avid cyclist of all disciplines, camper, father to 6 children, husband, musician and self-proclaimed retro-grouch.

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Drop Bars & Knobbies

1 year ago

That 2.1 x 29 is gonna be a really really hot tire.

Greg

1 year ago

I hope they plan on updating their tubeless bead. It’s always loose, impossible to seat most of the time without preinstalling a tube to seat one side, and several people have had blowoffs. None of this is news though. Too bad because the GravelKing SK are so versatile and high value.

-7

Andrew

1 year ago

Reply to Greg

Surprised to hear this – mine have always been fine!… I might need to do some forum snooping before I invest in another set…

Sevo

1 year ago

Reply to Andrew

Sounds like an anomaly. Never had that issue and been using Gravel Kings since they came out. But always with rims rated for tubeless, never an older style rim.

Dirt McGirt

1 year ago

Reply to Sevo

I bet Greg’s source for the multiple blowout scenarios is “trust me, bro”…

Jeff

1 year ago

Reply to Sevo

Exactly.

Jeff

1 year ago

Reply to Andrew

It’s not a consistent issue but there were some tires with a little looser beads than others. We’ve addressed this issue now. And if anyone has a problem Wirth any Panaracer tire, all you need to do is contact us for help.

Ron

1 year ago

Reply to Greg

Agree in that the beads are slightly looser than others-especially for TL models but after riding and hammering various GK models for years, always have had good experiences and never had one blow off.

The one thing I would recommend (depending on the TL tape used), is if you are going to run Panaracers, wrap the rim 3-4 revs to increase the BSD and snug up the fit. Only adds a few gr of weight but can inflate with a floor pump and tires are snug- no issue.