Mountain bike tires on a gravel bike? Yes, and it’s a trend driven by gravel racing, where tires are getting ever faster and wider, but still required to deliver plenty of grip. There are only a handful of options in the unusual sizes up to 2.1″ or 55 mm. So the obvious answer is a fast, old-school XC race tire that can double as a gravel option, and that’s exactly where the Schwalbe Thunder Burt comes in.
But what makes it so good? Width is an obvious factor, but the tread is just as distinctive. Small knobs run across the entire central tread, paired with aggressive shoulder lugs on the sides. The idea is to combine maximum cornering grip with straight-line efficiency, while still offering a compliant, comfortable ride. It’s a promising concept, and one that explains why the Thunder Burt is in such high demand on the gravel scene.
MTB’s Secret Weapon for your Gravel Bike: Schwalbe Thunder Burt in the 2026 Gravel Tire Group Test
How does this wide MTB tire actually perform against the other contenders? Weighing in at 570 g, it sits right in the middle of the test field. It’s surprisingly light, considering the Thunder Burt is nominally 10 mm wider than most of the gravel tires on test, at least according to Schwalbe’s figures. Mounted on our test rim with a 25 mm internal width, it only measures 51 mm. The other mountain bike tire in the test, the Continental Dubnital, comes up slightly wider, but also weighs nearly 50 g more.
Rolling resistance testing shows that the idea of using fast MTB tires on a gravel bike isn’t far-fetched at all. At 13 W of drag, the Thunder Burt is only around 2.5 W slower than the fastest gravel tire in the test! Comparable gravel options with a similar level of grip, such as the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S or WTB Resolute, sit well above that figure.
This is exactly where the Schwalbe Thunder Burt plays to its strengths. Thanks to its width, and the lower tire pressures that come with it, the tire moulds itself to the ground, biting in with its grippy tread. In muddy conditions, however, it can’t quite match specialists like the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S or Continental Dubnital. The width also influences the handling. With lower pressures, pronounced side knobs and high volume, the tire feels a touch sluggish. While it’s not quite as pronounced as with the G-One RS Pro or the even wider Continental Dubnital, it’s certainly not what you’d call lively or playful.
Where the Thunder Burt shines again is compliance. Its width and low pressure deliver a smooth, forgiving ride, even if it doesn’t quite reach the level of the Continental Dubnital or Continental Terra Competition. Puncture protection, on the other hand, is less convincing. While it offers above-average protection against pinch flats, it’s the weakest Schwalbe gravel tire when it comes to puncture resistance. The more aggressive tread does provide a bit of extra real-world protection, but it’s still something to keep in mind.
AGILITY
- cumbersome
- balanced
- playful
GRIP
- low
- high
COMPLIANCE
- low
- high
ROLLING RESISTANCE
- slow
- fast
PINCH-FLAT PROTECTION
- low
- high
PUNCH RESISTANCE
- low
- high
Conclusion on the Schwalbe Thunder Burt
Even though the Schwalbe Thunder Burt is a classic mountain bike tire, it’s easy to see why it has become a popular choice on gravel bikes too. With low rolling resistance, outstanding grip and excellent compliance, it’s an ideal option if you want to keep the pace high, even when the terrain gets rough. The only real drawbacks are its relatively weak puncture protection and slightly sluggish handling. If your riding is mostly on hardpack and tarmac, you’ll be better off with a narrower, more agile gravel tire.
Tops
- Outstanding grip
- High efficiency
- Very good compliance
Flops
- Poor puncture protection
Made in Vietnam | Size (ETRO) 54-622 | Width in mm¹ 51
Height in mm¹ 45,81 | Weight 570.0 g | Price € 68.90
¹measured dimensions at 1.75 – 3.0 Bar, depending on tire width
More information at schwalbe.com.
The Testfield
This tire was tested as part of the Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026 – an overview of this comparison test as well as all other tested gravel tires can be found in the comprehensive comprehensive Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026. For the top models in the racing category, you should take a look at the Race Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026.
Challenge: Getaway XP | Gravine XP
Continental: Dubnital | Terra Adventure | Terra Competition | Terra Hardpack | Terra Speed
Goodyear: Connector Inter | Connector Speed
Hutchinson: Caracal Race
MAXXIS: Rambler | Reaver
Michelin: Power Adventure | Power Gravel
Pirelli: Cinturato Gravel H | Cinturato Gravel M | Cinturato Gravel S
Rene Herse: Corkscrew Climb TC Semi-Slick
Schwalbe: G-One RS Pro | G-One RX Pro | G-One R Pro | Thunder Burt | G One Overland Pro
Specialized: Pathfinder TLR | Tracer TLR | Terra TLR
Vittoria: Terreno Pro T30 | Terreno Pro T50 | Terreno Pro T60
WTB: Vulpine S | Vulpine | Resolute
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Calvin Zajac Photos: Jan Fock
