Teravail Washburn Review: Bikepacking with a Center-Slick 

I've got almost 4000miles down on these, absolutely love them for road and gravel. They actually still look like they got another 4000 miles in them

(Semi-Slick is my rap name.) Thanks for the very thorough review, this was very helpful. I've been running the 700x38 Specialized Pathfinder, which has a serious centre slick, on my front wheel. (That slick rises a good quarter-inch, or seems like it, off the rest of the tire.) I love it, because it makes the tire roll very sweetly on pavement, which is most of my riding. It was however a bear to mount; this is a "tubeless ready" tire, which basically means it's a tubeless tire, and forcing it onto the rim was a total pain in the backside. As a tube guy, I don't appreciate that pointless sweat. But once I got it on and seated correctly (another hour's work), it was brilliant. Unfortunately it seems Specialized has discontinued this tire now, so now that I'm ready to swap out the rear tire (an old, well-used Clement x40), I'm looking for something else in a centre slick. So thanks again for this really useful review.

Had an unused set in my garage for a year. Thinking of throwing them on and trying. Thanks for the vid.

Already been done. Conti speed king race sport is a 29 or 27.5x2.2 essentially center slick with ridiculously low rolling resistance that has been used for hardpack dry XC courses for years (read, gravel). Schwalbe thunder burts are a slightly more aggressive version, but the minimal center tread rolls great on roads but can still eat up singletrack. Both are lighter in their size than the terravail if you were comparing actual volume. Ultradynamico is releasing larger sizes of their tires soon, and rene herse has knobbies made for riding on the road that they say are the best of both worlds, but honestly for hardpack gravel you dont need to get anything other than the file tread rene herse like the rat traps which are deceptively grippy in gravel, yet basically roll like pure slicks on the road. This all being said, im all for any manufacturer increasing our larger tires size options in the XC/gravel racing arena. Specifically 27.5 x2.2+ mainly cause not many bikes are speccing clearance for 29x2.2+ Bring on more fast rolling fat meats!

I run the 27.5x 47mm durable version (I weigh 190lb and also use them for bikepacking) and I have to say I really like these tires. The only downside as you noted is traction on freshly grated gravel as well as mud. But IMO the side lugs do hook up fairly well. Ive ridden in wet silty mud conditions with the tires, and as you feel the bike sliding out in a corner, the outer lugs will hook up. I was a little skeptical at first about their cornering ability, but I now trust them enough to lean more into turns. If anything I think trying to stay upright on the semi-slick through thick deep gravel (I call them gravel pools) or really anything loose is not advisable. Those transition and side lugs allow you to carve through the loose stuff fairly well.

In the 90ies we had a semi slick for MTBs: Corratec Diamant Slick. That was a real classic at the time. Now you might want to look for the Schwalbe Sammy Slick.

I've always liked the concept. I don't remember who made them but I remember seeing something similar to that 30years ago. If they came out with a 29er 2ish tire I'd buy them.

I have the feeling the side lugs are less for grip in deep cornering, but rather help from keeping your tire slipping down small rocks and roots when you are driving straight but riding over and hitting the obstacles at an angle.

I have the rutland. Really happy with those. Fast on & off road.

Love the idea of a 29 x 2.2 semi slick... would be a great combo for on a hardtail that commutes to some mellow trails.

I am really enjoying your reviews. Unless I missed it somehow, it would be awesome if you could review the Industry Nine wheels!

Hey could you do a video like how you go shopping in a supermarket while bikepacking and trying to prevent getting stolen stuff or the bike? I want to go bikepacking solo for first time after winter😁

Picked up a set today my first few miles felt great even in the rain 🌧️ I was on concrete and pavement did hit loose mud a bit taking a short cut very briefly I would not enjoy a long stretch of said mud on anything 🤣 I like these better than the H5 Comps my bike had on it so far and I liked them

Agreed, on the 2.2 tread slick transition.

I like the center slick concept. I ran some Clement X'PLOR in 36 that had a similar profile and it was sketchy on loose descents but great on tarmac. I moved to a larger resolute in 42 and currently running gravel king ss in 43. The SS obviously have a large middle slick and smaller side knobs but at 42 I can run them pretty low and have definitely under tired and they perform like a champ. Your idea of a big boy center slick would be fun to try.

In the 29x2.x category, I was a fan of the WTB Vulpines that came on my Gen 1 Fargo. File tread center, with a fairly aggressive side lug. Unfortunately, they were discontinued not long after I bought my bike, and I was never able to track them down again. I have a set of Washburns on order in 700x42 for a new bike build and I think they are going to be a good tire. The bike has S&S couplers, and it will see pavement most of the time, but I want decent volume and the ability to hit gravel or some easy singletrack if I'm out and about. Your conclusions were about what I expected, but I was hoping to see a bit more grip and usability from the transition and the side lugs. Thanks for the review!

I'm considering this tire for the 2022 Oregon Gravel Grinder in April.

nice video brother, just ordered these for my girl's Salsa

The Washburns are stock on my new bike. Question is how low can I go with pressure?

great review

Could you give your opinion on the Vittoria Terreno Dry in the 29x2.1/2.2 as this is very similar to what you describe in the end of this video?

I’m actually looking for 29x2.2 semi-slicks for my Salsa Fargo. I use it for rail trails and pavement (bought it to go further faster than my fat bike). I feel like my Teravail Sparwoods have a bit too much resistance on pavement once up to cruising speed. They just feel sticky. My fatbike actually rolls more freely at cruising speed with Dillinger 4s.

I run a 700x42 Soma Cazadero on one of my bikes which is a similar concept with the slick center (more of a raised channel than slick I guess) and knobby corners. It's a bit beefier than the Washburn but after many miles on it, I can say the Cazadero is pretty comfortable on paved/gravel/dirt roads (even a little single track) and have proved to be pretty durable.

\i have been using the Vitoria Terreno Zero, very similar concept but bit less side lug. I likey.

I get semi-slicks for free when my Riddler's wear down 🤣

Thanks for this review Nate! Have you done a review of the Pirelli Cinturato Hard yet? Being in the PNW & new to bike touring/ packing that's a tire that looks good on paper. Thanks again - JB

Yes.. love the tread pattern. I mean, why not. There are plenty of full knobby and full slick.. but not many like this.

Gravelking SS+ in 29x50mm would kind of what you are looking for, no?

I tend to prefer a skinner center slick, as on pavement I'm hardly ever not doing 99% straight line riding. That could just be a mental thing, but I feel like in the dirt the skinny slick tread sinks in & I have some knobs hooking up.

about to order some. look just like my Specialized Pathfinders. Not sure if you remember me Nate I am Jason formally of Bham Bicycle

Great review! Thanks for this. How did you do regarding punctures? I didn't hear that you had any, which is nice. Question: Do you have thoughts on negative tread tires? Similar concept in that there is a slick center then some progressive bite as you head towards the edges, ala a serfas drifter, etc... For my riding which sounds a bit like yours, loaded down, pavement with luxury gravel, the negative treads with slick center seem to get me through what I encounter - caveat: I live in North Texas which has elevations all the way up to a screaming 300 meters, so climbing hasn't been much of an issue, therefore no need for aggressive tires for climbing loose terrain. Curious to hear your thoughts (or watch them in an upcoming video).

Compare with pathfinder and byway?

What are your thoughts on the Washburn Vs. Cannonball as an all around gravel tire?

Not sure if it even needs the transition or side lugs. A file tread pattern on the sides will work as well and bite like a velcro, if not better.

Good vid

It's 2022 going to 2023 , there's new tires now , Christmas is coming. I just need a all-round tire. Around the 40c to 45c ? Any recommendations? Cause I was gonna buy this set but now I'm 2nd guessing. . 😐

Schwalbe Smart Sam 2.25 does exactly what you wished for.

I also got the 700x42C but it seems that my rims with internal width of 19mm is affecting the inflation of the tires. I only got it inflated at 700x41 with 65Psi. I don't want to risk it to go beyond that coz my inner tube is only cheap.

I'm still too scared to ride a center slick on gravel LOL

Hello, is it hooked or hookless tyre?? i need it to set-up to wtb st i23 rims

I have a pair of the Teravail Washburn… I changed them up for fall rides to Pirelli Gravel M 700 x 45. And I will have respectfully say skip these tires. I would even go as far as to say skip the Pirelli Gravel H. Ride Adelaide has a great video for Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M and I would agree with him.

Running WTB’s center slick Byway. Yup, a bit loose in loose gravel as compared to the Schwalbe G-One. But rolling resistance on pavement, pretty sweet. Only big concern, riding on, or over painted highway lines (mainly fog lines) in the wet. Seems like a bad recipe.

No love for the center slick from me. I like the Rene Herse Dual Purpose Knobies because I'm slow anyway so I don't mind the slight drag on pavement. Also those tires corner great on all surfaces seemingly. Even on pavement they are super stable cornering.

Have you tried a suspension stem?

Looks like they'd be good where there's lots of graded gravel, but they'd be useless for Scotland where we do road or rough gravel and little in between!

How do these compare to the wtb byways? That’s been the tire I’ve been considering lately. Seems like a good tire for the surface mix I ride 70% road 25% gravel 5% single track. Most of that due to currently running continental 4000s. Quite sketchy once the surface gets loose. With a gripper tire I’d likely change that ratio

What aero bars are you using? Are those sram blips on the end?

As long as its dry, on a gravel bike, i have never felt the need for anything more grippy than 50mm schwalbe g-one speeds. those things fly on pavement and hardpack gravel, no strange transition and with the right pressure, even grip better than you think. they become useless once it begins to get muddy though.

What are your experiences with these carbon wheels?

Are the largest lugs on the outside ever going to touch the ground? It seems like they may be extra weight for no real reason.

Schwalbe Hurricane does this is 29x2.25. 57mm.

Idk why there is not a 700c x 47mm

Are we sure this isn’t a WTB Byway? 😉

It’s too bad these don’t come in 700*45 or 700*50… they look super fast and awesome.