When riding mainly on paved roads on a sleek, fast 700c bikes often called a cyclocross, all-road, or gravel road bike with a maximum tire clearance of around 40-45c, my favorite tire is the *ULTRADYNAMICO* Cava.
Among the wide variety of size options for the Cava, the 700x39C feels so good in terms of cushiness and how it rolls!
Whether it’s a serious road ride, a commute, a long ride, or even a bit of gravel riding, this one tire handles it all.
The Race model with its gray tread is particularly supple and lightweight; at 39c and a catalog weight of 340g, it’s by far the lightest tire on the market, even compared to other brands. Plus, it offers excellent grip!
The 40c version of the R Series, the lightest model in Panaracer’s Gravel King weighs just 400g.
I was surprised by how light it is, especially since even the Barlow Pass 38c with an Extralight casing from Reneherse Cycles which I thought was quite light, weighs 350g.
What’s even crazy is that the actual weight of it was 335g!
Now, there is a downside to such a light tire and that would be the durability.
After a year of use, the sidewalls start to fray, increasing the risk of a flat, and cracks begin to appear in the tread, which is a clear sign it’s time for a replacement.
You can also run them tubeless, but because they’re so thin, they tend to lose air easily. As long as you’re prepared for unexpected issues on the road and can check the tire pressure regularly, you should be fine.
If you’re concerned about that, I recommend using them with an inner tube. TPU tubes are lightweight and flexible, so I highly recommend giving them a try.
