Soft terrain gravel riding demands a tread pattern that actually bites into the surface rather than skating across it. The Cinturato Gravel S from Pirelli answers with the most aggressive knob design in their gravel lineup, adapted from the Scorpion S mountain bike tire. Where the Gravel H and Gravel M prioritize rolling speed on hardpack, the Gravel S trades some efficiency for genuine mechanical grip when conditions get loose, muddy, or unpredictable.

The tread alternates between closely spaced rectangular blocks and hexagonal knobs down the center, creating channels that shed mud and debris rather than packing up. Angular hexagonal knobs along the shoulders provide cornering purchase when you lean into turns on off-camber surfaces. The pattern works because it offers enough surface contact to remain predictable on firm ground while still digging in when the trail turns to mush.

Pirelli builds the Gravel S around their SpeedGRIP compound, a rubber formulation derived from their World Rally Championship tire program. The compound balances mechanical grip from the knob structure with chemical grip from the rubber itself, maintaining traction across wet and dry conditions without the excessive squirm you sometimes get from pure off-road tires. The gravel-specific formulation keeps rolling resistance in check given the aggressive tread depth.... Read More