It's critical to understand our static wet grip test works with a hard surface. This means the grip data is only directly useful for comparing tires on hard surfaces where the rubber compound creates the grip. Understanding the test results gets more difficult when grip is created by the knobs digging into the surface. Keeping things consistent, all of the testing was done on the same bike – a steel, custom-built Mercredi – and on the same wheelset, WTB’s new carbon CZR i23 gravel wheelset featuring 23mm internal rim widths. I figured I'd use this fast-acting sealant, which is capable of plugging bigger holes than the standard option, as I was expecting rough conditions over the winter, but I needn't have worried – or if they have punctured I've not noticed it. So it's a win-win. Advanced Extra Alpha Cord: AX technology uses extremely narrow cord which is weaved at a super high density into the casing for lightness and flexibility. This increased density improves resistance to cuts and abrasions.

There will also be many surfaces where the total grip will be a combination of the tread compound grip and the grip provided by the knobs. Under these circumstances, the hard surface grip can still be a deciding factor. As for their puncture resistance, I can only say I'm still running on the first lot of sealant – about 40-50ml per tyre – and I've had no leaks, burps or slashes to deal with, so the Advanced Extra Alpha Cord and the Anti-Flat Casing would seem to be doing their jobs of resisting all intruders. The sidewalls of the Panaracers aren't porous, and I didn't have any issues with sealant leaking out when first inflating to the recommended 60psi maximum pressure. The combination of genuine gravel trails, cobbles, off road and on road riding gave the tyres, not just a good going over for each geographical element, but also how well they transition from one to another, and I have to say I was really impressed with the balancing act that thePanaracer Gravelking SK TLC gravel tyre managed to perform. The criteria for selecting the tyres to test was a wheel size of 700c and a tyre width between 38mm and 45mm.

Puncture Force Blunt Needle: The Blunt needle has a flat tip and won't split the casing wires. To puncture the tire, the blunt needle has to cut the casing wires. The eyewatering prices of these "gravel" specific tyres set me off in search of less fashionable but cheaper alternatives. And not tubeless either, I remain unconvinced of the benefits relative to cost of converting. I just don't suffer enough real world punctures to give it cause for serious consideration.

They have indeed been a little more comfortable of a ride. Much of that may be from only inflating these to 90 psi rear and 85 psi front. The GP4000 I was doing 110 psi rear and 100 psi front. So, I don’t know how they would compare at the same inflation. They have real good grip and I have always felt confident riding on them. I have also had no flats, which is great. I do think I lost a little bit of speed with these. This is probably due to them being a little higher rolling resistance tire plus the lower inflation. Max inflation for these is only 105 so I wouldn’t be able to go as high as I did with the GP4000. The Gravelkings are also quite a bit heavier as they are supposed to be about 320 grams vs 220 grams for the GP4000. Durability Through muddy clay puddles and slop, I found myself often going sideways, which might be a sensation familiar to cyclocross riders, but doesn’t make for the most confidence-inspiring ride, especially when you hit a patch of mud at speed. You can forget trying to turn on really wet mud too. Set a pair up on my Mavic all-roads and they were a pig to inflate, I had to resort to C02 instead of the tubeless specific floor pump I use. ZSG Natural Compound: This compound has the same low rolling resistance as the premium compound. Its enhanced wear resistance makes it perfect for a long lasting training tire with an excellent ride.

The Panaracer Pasela wired tyre has the same protection, lots of width options and you'll get a pair for the price of one of these Gravel Kings. I changed out from WTB Nanos about a month ago because in reality less than 5% of my riding is ever on gravel. The Paselas have been great so far, much zippier than Nanos, good grip, the gumwalls are lovely and wash up well. They can handle rougher stuff, nae punctures thus far. Nice and easy to get on/off the rim too which is an important consideration if you're still running tubes. WTB Riddlers for example were an absolute 'mare! Seen some criticism of weak sidewalls but not been an issue for me yet.