Gravel Bike · All-Road

What tire width should I run on my all-road bike?

For mixed-surface riding, 38-40mm is the sweet spot on 700c wheels. This width provides enough volume for comfort and grip on gravel without feeling sluggish on pavement. Run 35mm if you ride mostly road with occasional gravel. Go to 42-45mm if you ride mostly gravel with rough sections. Experiment with pressure — most riders run too high. Start at 40psi for a 75kg rider on 38mm tires and adjust down in 2-3psi increments until the ride feels supple without feeling vague in corners.

Related gear types

If this answer nudged you toward a different style, these guides compare specs and trade-offs.

Classic Gravel

$1200 – $8000

dominant

The original do-it-all gravel bike with balanced geometry and mid-range tire clearance for mixed-terrain riding.

Tire clearance 38–45mmBalanced endurance geometryMultiple bottle and rack mounts

Gravel Race

$2500 – $12000

common

Lightweight, performance-oriented gravel bikes built for competitive gravel events and fast riding.

Aggressive race geometryLightweight framesetsStiff power transfer

Aero Gravel

$3000 – $12000

niche

Gravel bikes with aerodynamic frame optimization designed for flat and fast gravel racing.

Aero-optimized tube shapesIntegrated cockpitDeep section frame profiles