Crushing Grinduro: Choosing the Best WTB Bike Tire for Your Gravel Bike

Grinduro isn’t just another gravel event—it’s a beast of mixed surfaces, steep climbs, rocky descents, and pavement punch sections. When it comes to a gravel bike tyre setup, you need a WTB bike tire that delivers speed, traction, and confidence across terrain.

Enter: Vulpine, Vulpine S, Resolute 50, and Nano 52—four WTB gravel tyres perfectly suited to Grinduro’s demands.

1. WTB Vulpine – The All-Around Gravel Bike Tire

The Vulpine is WTB’s highly versatile gravel bike tire, perfect for mixed terrain including pavement, hardpack, and gravel. Tightly spaced center knobs keep rolling resistance low, while short, closely packed shoulder knobs boost grip in corners. Its rounded profile offers predictable handling on fast descents and sweeping turns—ideal for Grinduro’s varied stages.

2. WTB Vulpine S – The Speed-Focused Gravel Bike Tire

If you’re chasing the clock, the Vulpine S is built for pure speed. It swaps the Vulpine’s center tread for a slick centerline, reducing rolling resistance to the minimum. Shoulder knobs still offer some bite, making it a great choice for dry, hard-pack Grinduro stages. Just keep in mind—it’s not the best for sloppy mud.

3. WTB Resolute 50 – Rugged Grip for Rough Terrain

The Resolute 50 is the go-to for looser gravel and technical sections. With its wide 50 mm casing, aggressive tread, and bead-to-bead puncture protection, it eats up chunky rock gardens and offers stability in loose corners. Perfect for the roughest sections of the Grinduro route.

4. WTB Nano 52 – The Big-Volume Adventure Tire

The Nano 52 takes volume to the next level. At 52 mm wide, it offers unmatched comfort and float, making it an excellent choice if the Grinduro course is especially rough, sandy, or soft. Its distinctive chevron center tread keeps you rolling fast on straights, while side knobs give you dependable cornering bite.

The Nano 52 is especially well-suited to riders who want a gravel bike tire that blurs the line into MTB territory—stable, forgiving, and ready for all-day adventures.

Mix-and-Match: The Smartest Setup for Grinduro

For most riders, pairing a traction-heavy tire up front with a faster tire in the rear strikes the perfect balance:

If the course is dry and fast—Vulpine S rear, Vulpine front is lightning-quick.
If it’s loose—Nano 52 or Resolute 50 front, Vulpine rear keeps you planted but speedy.

Final Thoughts

• Vulpine: Balanced and versatile.

• Vulpine S: Fastest for hard-pack stages.

• Resolute 50: Confidence on loose, rocky terrain.

• Nano 52: Maximum comfort and stability for the roughest Grinduro routes.

Choose your bike tire combination based on the forecast and terrain, and your gravel bike will be ready to conquer Grinduro’s every twist, climb, and descent.