Does the Paris Roubaix classic inspire you to conquer your own Hell of the North? Or yesterday’s Strade Bianche make you want to follow Wout van Aert and brave the snow in search of your own gravel “instant classic?”
Today we’re revisiting a round-up of some of our favorite tires for your own mixed terrain fun.

While Americans may not have sectors of cobbles, we’ve got plenty of classic mixed terrain rides with their own tire demands. photo: Belgian cobbles by Elle Anderson
There are countless “white road” and “Roubaix” type classic rides here in the States, including yesterday’s Boulder-Roubaix, Michigan’s Barry Roubaix, the upcoming Paris-to-Ancaster, the Amish Country Roubaix, Hilly Billy Roubaix and the list goes on. Today in Italy, the amateurs get their chance to test themselves on the course and 50km of gravel. While the U.S. doesn’t have many extended cobbled “secteurs,” many of these rides substitute in dirt or gravel roads to break up the pavement.
You certainly don’t have to pay an entry fee to experience your own Hell of the North or Strade Bianche on wheels. However, unless you’ll have your custom Dugast or FMB pavé tubulars, your own follow vehicle and Mavic neutral support close behind, you will probably need some fast, supple, high volume yet durable tires that can withstand the hellish conditions and yet keep you floating over the rough stuff like an angel.
Yes, gravel bikes and tires have gotten bigger and bigger, and the line is starting to blur between high-volume gravel tires and mountain bike tires. But today we’re focusing on fast-rolling tires that won’t get you dropped on the pavement and that you can fit in any cyclocross bike and some road bikes, without issue. These don’t need to withstands the sharp rocks of Dirty Kanza or Lost and Found.
Here’s five of our favorite “American pavé” clinchers, going from biggest to smallest, that roll well on pavement, can handle some dirt, gravel and cobbles, and aren’t so fragile you’ll be climbing in the broom wagon. Some are even tubeless.
We hope they help transport you successfully to Siena or Roubaix, or your own gravel glory.
Five Top Pavé / Gravel / All Road Tires: