The all-new Panaracer GravelKing ZX is a fast-rolling gravel tyre that offers impressive pace on the road and plenty of confidence through dry corners. For riders chasing speed on mixed terrain, it delivers strong all-round performance, though its limits become clear when the trails turn wet.
The setup
Setting up the ZXs was quick and easy. They were tight on the rim, but not tyre-lever breakers, and both tyres seated first time with a few short blasts from a track pump. The tread on these is slightly confusing, and when following the rotation arrows they appear backwards compared with most patterns.
The tech
Panaracer has developed an all-new proprietary compound for these tyres and claims it optimises performance while maintaining predictable control and long-term durability.
The tyres are made up of three zones: a slick centre for optimised rolling resistance on asphalt, a transitional tread pattern that aims to provide added traction and predictability, and aggressive side lugs to provide maximum grip in loose corners and technical descents.
Panaracer claims these characteristics optimise this tyre for gravel racing – from smooth asphalt to loose gravel and everything in between.
The 45mm version of these tyres came in at just 552g on my scales. While weight may not be the deciding factor for a gravel tyre, these won’t hold you back in that respect. Crucially, that competitive weight doesn’t come at the cost of durability.
Performance
The GravelKing ZX immediately impressed. I took them on a typical British gravel ride: true mixed-surface riding with road, gravel, singletrack and mud. They impressed with their capability across this variety of terrain. However, when the rain came, the wheelspin followed. The lack of tread in the central section meant I struggled for traction on muddy sections.
With further testing, the tyres’ strengths became clear: they truly excel on the road. For those of us who happily take a gravel bike on long road sections, or even on road rides, the improved rolling resistance was noticeable when compared with more traditional gravel tyres. The same could be said through the corners. They handled road cornering very well, with the transitional tread gripping effectively and the aggressive outer lugs not getting in the way.
These outer lugs also inspired confidence elsewhere, providing predictable cornering even on loose and inconsistent surfaces. They served another purpose too – in deeper mud they became my main source of grip.
But this brings me to their main downside. Panaracer claims this is a “mixed-terrain” tyre – a one-tyre solution – yet in the UK at least, mud and grass are hard to avoid on a gravel ride. The slick centre can lead to some sticky situations, requiring you to lean the bike over just to find traction.
Value
The Panaracer GravelKing ZX costs £54.99 and while that may feel like a lot for a tyre, the performance goes a long way towards justifying the price.
Compared with popular options such as the Schwalbe G-One Allround Evolution, which sits at a very similar price point, the ZX offers excellent on-road speed and impressive cornering confidence on dry gravel.
It also compares favourably with more expensive options such as the Vittoria Terreno T60 Pro, which shares many of the same strengths but comes in at over £30 more.
Hutchinson Caracal Race tyre is another that excels on tarmac and dry hardpack while being less convincing when the going gets rough or wet.
> Get some reliable rubber for riding on mixed terrain with our pick of the best gravel bike tyres
If your routes regularly include wet grass or muddy climbs, the slick centre tread on the GravelKing ZX limits its versatility and may leave you wanting something more capable. But if speed on mixed dry terrain is the priority, these are competitively priced and deliver the performance to back it up.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed riding these tyres and I’ll be keeping them on my bike. They provide excellent performance on fast-moving gravel rides and roll so well on the road that I’d happily use them for long days on country lanes.
However, their limits become clear when conditions turn wet. While Panaracer markets them as a mixed-terrain option, the slick centre tread struggles to provide enough grip on mud and grass, making climbs frustrating and sapping momentum.
For dry gravel racing and fast summer riding they are brilliant, but for year-round UK mixed-terrain riding, I’d be looking for something with a little more bite.
Test Report
What does the manufacturer say about this product?:
Fast on the straights. Confident in the corners. One tyre for every surface. The GRAVELKING ZX is built for riders who refuse to choose between speed and versatility. A smooth centre transitions to diamond treads that roll fast on tarmac and hardpack, staggered micro-lugs keep transitions predictable as terrain changes, and angled shoulder blocks bite hard through corners and descents. The 120 TPI casing ties it all together with a supple, race-ready feel that holds up across mixed terrain.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:
The ZX features a new proprietary ZSG Gravel compound. Consistent with Panaracer’s long-standing compound philosophy, the ZX uses a single compound formulation to maintain predictable ride characteristics and long-term durability. This, paired with TuffTex and BeadLock technologies, which help reduce damage from sharp gravel, simplify installation, and keep the bead stable at low pressures, has enabled Panaracer to create a tyre that delivers speed, control, and durability without compromise.
How easy were the tyres to fit? If you ran them tubeless, how easy was that to set up?:
Easy fit on both wheel sets I tested. Set these up tubeless first time, using only a track pump.
Did you have any punctures during testing?:
No
Tell us more about grip. How are the tyres in different conditions?:
Excellent on the corners and on asphalt. Some issues on loose gravel climbs and on mud.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
An excellent tyre for fast flowing gravel and British country lanes.
About the tester
Age: 28Height: 185cmWeight: 65kg
I usually ride: Argon 18 nitrogen discMy best bike is: Canyon grizl CF 7
I’ve been riding for: 5-10 yearsI ride: Every dayI would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: Road racing, Cyclocross, Gravel riding, Indoor riding, Bikepacking, Club riding
1 thought on “Panaracer GravelKing ZX”
Again, two photos of the tyre still banded up fresh out of its packaging. No photo of the tyre fitted and inflated clearly showing the tread and profile.