CX/Gravel Tire Test: Panaracer GravelKing X1 R 40

Panaracer recently renewed its entire GravelKing lineup and introduced an entirely new GravelKing: the X1. The GravelKing X1 (and all other new GravelKings) is available in 3 different casing versions, with the regular X1 being the most versatile with balanced performance. The X1+ comes with a reinforced casing, and the X1 R we have on test today comes with the fastest and lightest casing construction for gravel bikers looking for all-out performance.

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All casing constructions are updated with a special TuffTex layer developed by Panaracer that adds protection and better sealing capabilities. The beads have been updated with a unique BeadLock bead that makes it much easier to inflate the tire even when you do not have access to compressed air. This is pretty much a tubeless-ready 2.0 construction, as while the original GravelKings were available in a tubeless-ready casing, sealing and inflating weren't always that easy.

The compound also sees an update. The updated GravelKings now come with a new "ZSG Gravel" compound, a variation of Panaracer's ZSG compound, which we find on many of their high-end tires. The previous editions of the GravelKings could have been better performers in our wet grip test, and we always thought the compound could use improvement in that regard.

While all GravelKings receive the new casings and compound, the X1 is the only entirely new GravelKing. The tread design is new, and the X1 comes with a versatile tread pattern that should be usable under almost all conditions. Although most of the other GravelKings come in an extensive range of sizes, sometimes from 26 mm up to 54 mm, the X1 is only available in the 35, 40, and 45 mm sizes. We've tested the X1 with the R casing and in the 40-622 size.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Panaracer
Model	GravelKing X1 R
Year	2024
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	RF740-GKX1-R-SX2
TPI	-
Compound	ZSG Gravel
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	40-622
Specified Weight	460 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	75
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	35-622 (700x35c) 40-622 (700x40c) 45-622 (700x45c)

Panaracer GravelKing X1 R 40 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	460 grams
Measured Weight	443 grams
Measured Width Casing	39 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	40 mm
Measured Height	37 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	1.9 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	1.60 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (30 ml sealant)
Measured Width	39 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar 39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 barHigh Air Pressure (50 psi / 3.4 bar)	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar 33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar 39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (42 psi / 2.9 bar)	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar 33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar 36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar 39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (33 psi / 2.3 bar)	21.6 Watts CRR: 0.00647
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar 36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar 39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 barExtra Low Air Pressure (25 psi / 1.7 bar)	23.8 Watts CRR: 0.00713
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	28 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	1.60 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	70 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	1.9 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.2 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

The new Panaracer X1 R performs strongly in our tests. However, the most significant improvement seems to come from improved user-friendliness, such as better sealing capabilities and easier inflation. We also see a good improvement in our wet grip tests, where the new X1 R clearly offers more grip than all of the previous generation GravelKings we've tested.

We've compared the X1 R to the previous generation GravelKing SK (read review), and while the X1 R has a much rougher tread pattern, rolling resistance is almost the same, which indicates that the new compound offers a small improvement in rolling resistance. We're looking forward to testing the X1 with the standard casing as well, as that should provide a better comparison to the previous generation GravelKings that we've tested.

The X1 is a great addition to the GravelKing range, and the new casing design and compound look superior to the previous generation.

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RATING: 4.5 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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