Panaracer launches new high-speed GravelKing ZX tyre with up to 55mm width

Panaracer has expanded its popular GravelKing tyre line-up with the introduction of the Gravelking ZX, an all-new gravel tyre designed for riders chasing speed across mixed-surface gravel routes.  

Available in a range of sizes maxing out at a MTB-worthy 55mm (2.16 inches), the new GravelKing features a revised compound and Panaracer claim it’s their fastest gravel tyre yet.

With typical gravel riding rarely sticking to one surface, moving from paved roads to loose descents and rocky climbs, the ideal all-purpose tyre is one that balances speed, grip and durability across varying surfaces. The Gravelking ZX is designed to meet this demand, say Panaracer, “delivering low rolling resistance alongside the grip and durability required when conditions become more demanding.”

The not-so-secret sauce is Panaracer’s adoption of three distinct zones across the tread, similar to many mixed-surface tyres. Each zone plays a specific role as the tyre aims to maximise speed while preserving confident handling across varied terrain.  

Around the tyre’s centre is a generous smooth strip of tread that helps minimise rolling resistance and maintain momentum on tarmac and hard-packed gravel. This strip is flanked by a transitional tread that engages when braking and leaning into corners, maintaining grip and ensuring a predictable feel. 

On the outer edge, aggressive side lugs provide the traction needed for loose gravel corners, technical descents and rougher surfaces, giving riders the control required when terrain becomes more demanding.  

Panaracer claim these three zones allow the ZX to maintain speed where it matters most while delivering the feel and confidence gravel riders expect. As a result the ZX is well suited to many of the world’s most demanding gravel races and endurance events, with Panaracer singling out UK races like the Dirty Reiver and The Gralloch as ideal terrain for the new tyre.

The tyre features a new, proprietary ZSG Gravel compound and Panaracer claim it’s their fastest ever, albeit without going into detail on numbers – we’ll have to wait for the folks at Bicycle Rolling Resistance to check out those claims.

Reflecting the trend towards ever-wider rubber (and tyre clearance) on gravel bikes, the new ZX is available in five sizes from 35mm all the way up to 55mm – making this the widest GravelKing to date.

Three versions will be on offer: ZX Standard, ZX R and ZX +. Stated weight for the Standard is 560g for the 45mm and 640g for 50mm size. The ZX + weighs in 40g-50g heavier than the Standard, while the R is 50g-60g lighter suggesting these may be “race” and “endurance” versions respectively.

The standard edition will retail at £54.99, with the ZX R and ZX + priced £64.99.

We’re hoping to get some samples in for testing soon; in the meantime, for more information visit panaracer.com/en.