Review: Bontrager GR2 Team Issue Gravel Tires

Finding the right gravel tires can be overwhelming. Get something too chunky and road approaches are a chore, but get something too dainty and the pucker factor on that next descent could be unsettling. Bontrager’s full lineup of gravel tires span the spectrum, but I daresay that the GR2 Team Issue gravel tires are among the handful of tires that sit at the sweet spot of the optimal road/gravel tire spectrum.

Bontrager GR2 Team Issue Gravel Tires (700×40) Features:

• Optimized treads for fast-rolling traction across a wide variety of terrain
• Inner Strength Casing made of lightweight nylon inserts for supple sidewall protection
• Tubeless ready (TLR) for easy tubeless setup (55ml recommended)
• Lightweight 120 TPI casing for improved ride feel
• Multi-compound construction (60a/52a)
• Size: 700c x 40mm
• Weight: 425 grams (actual)
• MSRP: $69.99

Ride everything on the GR2’s

To round out my testing of the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37V wheelset (review coming soon), I installed the versatile Bontrager GR2 Team Issue gravel tires. With their Goldilocks width and tread pattern, I have just the right terrain to put them to the test. With local loops consisting of road approaches, smooth gravel, chunky gravel and mountain bike-worthy singletrack, everything was now fair game aboard the Open WI.DE. gravel bike.

Notably, I’ve only had them aboard the Aeolus Pro 37V wheelset, which were easy to mount, but not so easy to inflate. Things got a little messy, but after some effort I was able to get them to hold air and seat up properly using 3 oz. Bontrager TLR Sealant in each tire. (You can see the carnage below, but you can’t the corresponding frustration on my face.)

So… it’s not uncommon to have tubeless seating issues and the 37V rims have been a bit more challenging than I had anticipated (even with TLR Rim Strips). But, after the initial frustrations, the tires have maintained pressure and remained seated in place like champs. I’ve been rolling about 36 psi front and 38 psi in the rear and with a 25 mm internal rim width, the tires are now measuring out to 42.7 mm wide after a few months of use. After a week of sitting unridden, I consistently need about 5 psi in each tire is all.

For gravel tires, I tend to prefer the gumwall look and the GR2’s look snappy in that option. Of course, you can go all black, if that’s your jam. Either way, you get a supple 120 TPI casing that delivers a smooth ride and good small bump absorption. Lesser-quality tires with lower thread counts will feel much more rigid and offer poor cornering feel. Weight-wise, compared to the similar Zipp G40 XPLR, you’re going to save about 40-50 grams per tire. So, the while the GR2’s have been around for over 5 years, they continue to offer admirable weight and ride feel compared to other tires tested.

The tread pattern is where the rubber meets the road (literally) and I’ve been pleased with how these tires roll on the pavement. Of course, they aren’t a great option if you’re primarily riding on the road, but they won’t hold you back much either. My typical gravel rides usually include a few road sections to stitch together gravel and singletrack sectors and while they aren’t as zippy as a set of Pirelli P Zero Race TLR tires, all things considered, I have had zero quibbles with their pavement chops. They respond well and handle adeptly overall. The only niggle is how much the tread pattern grabs and throws tiny rocks atop the road surface.

When it comes to venturing into gravel terrain, I appreciate the low-profile tread pattern’s ability to maintain speed on fast gravel tracks. The center tread isn’t as solid as others, but the calculated spacing delivers a great balance between traction and rolling efficiency. I would have no issues rolling the GR2’s for long rides or races like SBT GRVL. As the gravel gets more and more aggressive, the GR2’s continue to shine and their multi-compound construction adeptly balances grip with longevity.

While “gravel” is a loose term for any variety of drop-bar-capable dirt terrain, I have confidently ventured into and out of miles of singletrack trails. Some of these trails are really best-suited for at least a short-travel XC bike, but off I went without a hitch. I can confidently climb up just about any rideable trail and likewise descend with confidence.

Of course, you can wash these out if you don’t properly consider your speed and the looseness of the terrain, but I can push these as hard as I’d like and they respond in kind. The mini knobs contour to the terrain and provide very confident cornering abilities. I haven’t had any punctures or sidewall issues at all so far and I look forward to many more miles ahead on all varieties of terrain.

Setup: I’m 5’11” and 175 lbs and I have been riding 36-38 psi aboard a 25 mm internal width rim. I used 3 oz. of Bontrager TLR Sealant in each tire. 

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