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 trip 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 thus far. Sure, their Problem cyclocross lineup has a number of extra aggressive tires, however they sometimes 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 circumstances. The tread is harking back 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 could be 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 the same 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 website 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 acquainted with 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 useful.
The tremendous sharp profile helps the tire chunk into the terrain when it’s mushy and delivers braking energy when rolling downhill. The cornering and facet 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 might 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 the same 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 identical 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 it is a gravel-focused tire (not like ‘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, street, and ‘cross races have completely different calls for; the tire compound ought to replicate that. The Gravine has a gravel-specific tread compound made from a particular greater durometer rubber. Problem calls this ‘SMART plus rubber.’
The SMART+ 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?
So as, Problem’s gravel lineup in descending tread: 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 circumstances.
All you want is the proper 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 of off. There isn’t a ‘trick’ to putting in them; there’s a particular method, and when performed accurately, 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 very 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 stability out the cracked and garbled roads within the winter, and the casing is supple.
Our 40mm non-XP check tires weight out to between 456g and 466g – an excellent bit beneath claimed weights.
Combined Terrain Efficiency
My trip on the Problem Gravine was primarily combined terrain, beginning on the street, using to the gravel, after which singletrack. Very similar to a really aggressive contemporary Grifo, the Gravine was a stable performer. The tread isn’t quick on the street 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?
Once 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 facet knobs have interaction as a lot as any tire would. When the course is barely skinny mud with extra water, the facet 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 street, the Gravine sheds rapidly. I packed it up with mud on various events. The middle line would all the time re-appear on the dry gravel after the mud sections, and rapidly after; the mud would fling off like a well-designed ‘cross-mud tire.
Lasting Impressions – Problem Gravine
After many miles of combined terrain and street, I’d choose the Gravine over the Getaway for my using type.
I trip extra like a mountain biker; I prefer to trip 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 changing into widespread. 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 might be your new go-to.
We’ll comply with up with a long-term evaluation 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 awesome 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.