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 experience freedom. It could 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 up to now. Sure, their Problem cyclocross lineup has a number of extra aggressive tires, however they sometimes max out at 33mm (or as much as 38mm), solely for enjoying within the mud.
The Gravine is the software (tire) for extra intense gravel sections, gnarly gravel racing, AND muddy circumstances. 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 operate of every tread design. Although one tire is perhaps the quickest on paper, that doesn’t imply it’s the quickest for the circumstances. Problem is aware of the significance of a wholesome quiver of tires with an analogous casing really feel however totally 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 conversant in the road) and a greater probability at taming circumstances 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 mushy 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 means of rutted muddy bogs. It may well 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/filth shedding and self-cleaning.
Let’s Discuss 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) building. 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 results of chafing or rubbing in opposition to the rim’s bead hooks.
Since it is a gravel-focused tire (not like ‘cross), it is available in two variations, Gravine and Gravine XP, each obtainable 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 totally different calls for; the tire compound ought to mirror that. The Gravine has a gravel-specific tread compound product of a particular greater 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 lowered 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 without doubt one of the most reliable, predictable, versatile, and nice throughout. You’d spot Grifos in all types of CX race circumstances.
All you want is the right stress, 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 constructive impressions.
Set up
After speaking with the crew at Problem, I observed my approach for putting in the H-TLR was just a little off. There isn’t a ‘trick’ to putting in them; there’s a particular approach, and when achieved appropriately, it’s a lot simpler than combating the tire, as I did beforehand. It’s a direct results of the supple handmade building (vs. stiffer, pre-shaped vulcanized tires) and the actual fact they roll/fold flat earlier than set up.
So, when you have Problem H-TLR cross or gravel tires, test 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 not too long ago reviewed.
The amount 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 superb bit underneath claimed weights.
Combined Terrain Efficiency
My experience on the Problem Gravine was primarily combined terrain, beginning on the highway, using to the gravel, after which singletrack. Very similar to a really aggressive recent Grifo, the Gravine was a strong performer. The tread isn’t quick on the highway in comparison with the Problem Getaway, nevertheless it’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 great. It has extra chunk on free terrain, particularly on free leafy filth 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 bathroom.
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 at all times 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 combined terrain and highway, I’d choose the Gravine over the Getaway for my using type.
I experience extra like a mountain biker; I prefer to experience 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 fashionable. The Getaway is quick however can wash out in tremendous dusty or moist corners. For those who’re a rider heavy on the entrance wheel and prefer to push into turns with an aggressive tire, the Gravine might 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 an excellent tire within the Gravine. It’s aggressive however works effectively 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.
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