What’s the best gravel tire? – 10 models in comparison

Donnelly X’Plor MSO Tubeless Ready 700 x 40C

The Donnelly X’Plor MSO Tubeless Ready 700 x 40C is the new kid on the gravel block. The manufacturer previously distributed the tires under the brand name Clément, but besides the new name, they’ve also breathed some fresh air into their product portfolio. The X’Plor MSO gave us a hard time when we tried to mount it – the casing on one of our tires detached from the bead during the test.

 The Donnelly may not be super agile, but once it rolls, it’ll roll over almost everything!

So: new tire and off we went on forest roads. Due to its hefty 569 g, the Donnelly takes quite a bit of effort to get up to speed, but once it’s there it’ll keep going nicely. You will also notice the weight when you want to quickly change direction, requiring you to muscle it around. The comparatively low profile tread and the well-supported side knobs clog up relatively quickly and offer limited reserves at the limit. However, the X’Plor MSO remains predictable at all times and loses grip in a controlled manner. At high speeds on asphalt, the Donnelly becomes a bit wobbly, feeling much more comfortable at moderate speeds on smooth gravel as well as loose surfaces. In terms of comfort, the casing offers little damping which means you have to ride at lower tire pressures – fortunately, the tire offers enough puncture protection for that not to be a problem. First and foremost, the Donnelly is suited to travel and adventure gravel riders as well as all-weather commuters on the lookout for a lighter alternative to tires like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus.

Grip	Rolling resistance	Puncture protection	Mounting	Value for money

---