Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Thanks to our sponsor, Ribble, for supporting this video. To learn more about the Ribble Ultra-Grit, head to ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-ultra-grit
Elite gravel racers are increasingly shunning dedicated gravel tyres in favour of wider rubber designed for mountain bikes.
Influenced by riders such as Dylan Johnson, many gravel racers are claiming mountain bike tyres – specifically lightweight options designed for cross-country racing – are faster than gravel bike tyres. That’s despite the fact that they're heavier and potentially less aerodynamic.
It’s been a key trend at many of this year’s most important gravel races, such as The Traka and Unbound, so let’s take a look at what has been driving this trend, what it means for everyday gravel riders, and whether XC mountain bike tyres really are the future of gravel.
00:00 Intro
00:36 Is Wider Always Faster?
03:40 So Why Aren't All Gravel Pros Using MTB Tyres?
05:04 Who's Right And What Does It Mean For The Rest Of Us?
06:51 What About New Ultra-Wide Gravel Tyres?
07:49 Bottom Line
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Thanks to our sponsor, Ribble, for supporting this video. To learn more about the Ribble Ultra-Grit, head to ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-ultra-grit
Elite gravel racers are increasingly shunning dedicated gravel tyres in favour of wider rubber designed for mountain bikes.
Influenced by riders such as Dylan Johnson, many gravel racers are claiming mountain bike tyres – specifically lightweight options designed for cross-country racing – are faster than gravel bike tyres. That’s despite the fact that they're heavier and potentially less aerodynamic.
It’s been a key trend at many of this year’s most important gravel races, such as The Traka and Unbound, so let’s take a look at what has been driving this trend, what it means for everyday gravel riders, and whether XC mountain bike tyres really are the future of gravel.
00:00 Intro
00:36 Is Wider Always Faster?
03:40 So Why Aren't All Gravel Pros Using MTB Tyres?
05:04 Who's Right And What Does It Mean For The Rest Of Us?
06:51 What About New Ultra-Wide Gravel Tyres?
07:49 Bottom Line
Listen to the BikeRadar Podcast
→ bikeradar.com/bikeradar-podcast
Follow BikeRadar on our social media channels:
→ instagram.com/bikeradar
→ facebook.com/bikeradar
→ twitter.com/bikeradar
BikeRadar is supported by Mountain Biking UK and Cycling Plus Magazine –For more information and to subscribe please visit
→ bit.ly/3nMr3Rn
For more content like this see our latest subscription offer –
→ cyclingplus.com/subscribe-today
→ mbuk.com/subscribe-today
