Problem Tires rounds out its gravel choices with an all-new Gravine gravel tread. The Grifo-like design goals at muddy, rugged gravel terrain with out compromising journey freedom. It might be knobby, however there’s nonetheless loads of velocity.
So, how does it stack up in opposition to its brethren within the Problem gravel lineup?
Learn on and discover out!
Problem Gravine gravel tire — What’s it?
The Gravine is Problem’s most aggressive gravel tread thus far. Sure, their Problem cyclocross lineup has a number of extra aggressive tires, however they usually max out at 33mm (or as much as 38mm), completely for enjoying within the mud.
The Gravine is the software (tire) for extra intense gravel sections, gnarly gravel racing, AND muddy situations. The tread is paying homage to the Problem Grifo cyclocross tire however way more sharp and aggressive in design.
A Tire for Each Situation
Problem takes some cues from the cyclocross self-discipline and the significance of the perform of every tread design. Although one tire may be the quickest on paper, that doesn’t imply it’s the quickest for the situations. Problem is aware of the significance of a wholesome quiver of tires with an analogous casing really feel however completely different strengths.
Take the Problem Dune, for instance; it’s the quickest (IMO) of their ‘cross choices, however attempt to race that at a muddy Koppenbergcross. You’d be on the lookout for a Limus on the first sight of the pits. Problem is increasing its gravel choices, giving the riders a differing tread, with the selection of 40-45mm widths they know (if they’re aware of the road) and a greater likelihood at taming situations on race day.
What’s the tread?
The knobs on the Problem Gravine are 2mm tall with no rounded edges. There are some slight hatches on the dots and chevrons, however this doesn’t appear practical.
The sharp profile helps the tire chunk into the terrain when it’s delicate and delivers braking energy when rolling downhill. The cornering and aspect knobs jogged my memory of the Challege Flandrien, not in form however in placement. Having the knobs low on the shoulder helps immensely when browsing by rutted muddy bogs. It may get you out of a jam and allow you to hop onto a much less saturated part in tractor pull-style mud sections. Plus – the open-tread design presents fairly good mud/dust shedding and self-cleaning.
Let’s Speak Casing
Development-wise, the Gravine shares an analogous poly-cased carcass because the Problem Getaway however provides some new tech. It arrives in Problem’s Handmade Tubeless Prepared (H-TLR) development. The casing is a large 260TPI polyester ply with a bead safety outer strip. This strip is similar on the Getaway XP and enhances tire longevity in opposition to the rim by stopping the consequences of chafing or rubbing in opposition to the rim’s bead hooks.
Since this can be a gravel-focused tire (in contrast to ‘cross), it is available in two variations, Gravine and Gravine XP, each out there in sizes 40 and 45mm. The Gravine XP options heavier-duty Corazza Armor Gold (identical because the Getaway XP).
Problem’s Corazza Armor Gold provides a bead-to-bead layer of tightly woven materials, reinforcing the tire, hoping to scale back flats.
What’s the Compound?
Gravel, highway, and ‘cross races have completely different calls for; the tire compound ought to replicate that. The Gravine has a gravel-specific tread compound manufactured from a particular larger durometer rubber. Problem calls this ‘SmartPlus rubber.’
The SmartPlus rubber has elevated put on resistance and enhanced sturdiness in comparison with others within the Problem lineup. It additionally presents improved shock absorption, higher grip, management, and diminished rolling resistance on gravel.
The place does it fall within the Problem Gravel lineup?
Problem’s gravel lineup in tread order: Strada Bianca, Gravel Grinder, Getaway, and now Gravine with essentially the most aggressive tread.
Problem Gravine Tech
First Impressions – Problem Gravine
I used to be very excited to get the information of a brand new ‘Grifo-like’ Problem gravel tire. The Grifo tread (IMO) is likely one of the most reliable, predictable, versatile, and nice throughout. You’d spot Grifos in all kinds of CX race situations.
All you want is the right strain, and also you’re prepared.
The Gravine is very similar to the Grifo in that it’s excellently versatile and is a do-anything-tire. Although I’ve solely had about two weeks on the brand new treads, it’s left me with robust optimistic impressions.
Set up
After speaking with the crew at Problem, I observed my method for putting in the H-TLR was a bit off. There isn’t a ‘trick’ to putting in them; there’s a particular method, and when accomplished appropriately, it’s a lot simpler than preventing the tire, as I did beforehand. It’s a direct results of the supple handmade development (vs. stiffer, pre-shaped vulcanized tires) and the actual fact they roll/fold flat earlier than set up.
So, you probably have Problem H-TLR cross or gravel tires, verify this video and comply with alongside.
After the set up, sealant, and inflation, I measured the Gravines on the brand new Imaginative and prescient 30 SC (23i) wheels. Our check tire is 40mm and pumped to 40mm on the dot. The tire is within the candy spot for a extra road-focused or race gravel body like the present Specialised Crux or the Colnago C68 Gravel that we lately reviewed.
The quantity is sufficient to steadiness out the cracked and garbled roads within the winter, and the casing is supple.
Our 40mm non-XP check tires weigh out to between 456g and 466g – a great bit underneath claimed weights.
Blended Terrain Efficiency
My journey on the Problem Gravine was primarily blended terrain, beginning on the highway, using to the gravel, after which singletrack. Very like a really aggressive contemporary Grifo, the Gravine was a strong performer. The tread isn’t quick on the highway in comparison with the Problem Getaway, but it surely’s not sluggish both. I discovered the candy spot for the soggy terrain and the Imaginative and prescient SC 30 wheels to be between 28 and 30psi, relying on the route.
What about Mud?
While you hit the soggy winter gravel and logging roads, the Gravine tread is excellent. It has extra chunk on unfastened terrain, particularly on unfastened leafy dust climbs I skilled. In deep, soggy, muddy sections, the aspect knobs have interaction as a lot as any tire would. When the course is barely skinny mud with extra water, the aspect knobs permit you to pedal and grip the ruts.
That is similar to the Flandrien cross tire.
Self-Cleansing
We needed to seize that full mud pic above proper after the lavatory.
As soon as out of the mud and again on the highway, the Gravine sheds shortly. I packed it up with mud on quite a lot of events. The middle line would all the time re-appear on the dry gravel after the mud sections, and shortly after; the mud would fling off like a well-designed ‘cross-mud tire.
Lasting Impressions – Problem Gravine
After many miles of blended terrain and highway, I might choose the Gravine over the Getaway for my using model.
I journey extra like a mountain biker; I prefer to journey single-track on my gravel bike and push the entrance wheel to the sting of grip.
The Gravine has extra chunk and provides extra confidence to my using, particularly when messing round off-road. As a race tire, I can see the 45mm Gravine entrance and 45mm Getway rear or perhaps a 40mm combo turning into well-liked. The Getaway is quick however can wash out in tremendous dusty or moist corners. When you’re a rider heavy on the entrance wheel and prefer to push into turns with an aggressive tire, the Gravine may very well be your new go-to.
We’ll comply with up with a long-term overview of tread put on and flat safety (as of now, Cory & I are flat-free).
However so far as I can inform, Problem has a terrific tire within the Gravine. It’s aggressive however works properly on all terrain, muddy or dry. Plus, it has that tremendous supple near-tubular really feel of the H-TLR cyclocross tires however maxed out with a bigger casing.
