WTB Riddler TCS Light/Fast Rolling in review
There’s no rest for our previous winner. The WTB Riddler won our last gravel tire group test with aplomb. Now it has had to face up to the competition of the best gravel tires on the market once again. It didn’t triumph this time. What was missing?
First things first: the Riddler is still a good tire. Its only issue was the even stronger competition from Italy and the limited 37 and 45 mm sizes. A tire in 40- or 42-622 would be something, wouldn’t it WTB? On the increasingly wide rims of modern gravel bikes, the 37 mm Riddler does look a little lost. The sidewall almost bulges out from underneath the tread and the shoulder knobs sit at a similar height to the centre tread. In our lab test and in the real world, the Riddler rolls comparatively slowly and in terms of puncture and snakebite resistance, it sits, in the best case, in the middle of our test field. Its strength continues to be its cornering traction. Even gravel-newbies will be able to steer the tire by shifting their weight and leaning it into a corner while being spoilt by huge amounts of grip and security. There’s no transition zone without tread between the centre and shoulder knobs, meaning there’s no risk of sliding out as you lean over. This tire lets you start gravelling without any fear at all! Braking traction is also excellent and despite the comparatively small volume, this tire grabs onto gravel terrain well.
Conclusion
The WTB Riddler is and remains a solid gravel all-rounder. It will be especially interesting for riders on narrow rims or a bike with limited clearances, or those who put particular emphasis on security and cornering prowess rather than puncture- and rolling resistance.
Tops
- good grip in corners
- lots of braking traction
Flops
- high rolling resistance
- not available in 40- or 42-622
Made in China | Tested size 37-622 | Tire width in mm¹ 36.2 | Tire height in mm¹ 33.8 | Tire height + test rim in mm² 57.8 | Weight 464 g | Price € 54.95
1 messured dimension with 2.5 bar. 2 Test rim: Stan’s NOTUBES Grail 622 x 20.3 C (Rim height 24.5 mm)
For more information head to:
In our introduction of the best gravel tire on test you can’t just find our most interesting findings and our overall conclusion, but a good view on all tires tested.
All tires on review: Continental Terra Speed (click for review) | Continental Terra Trail (click for review) | MAXXIS Rambler SilkShield TR (click for review) | Panaracer GravelKing SK (click for review) | Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H (click for review) | Schwalbe G-One Allround Evolution (click for review) | Schwalbe G-One Bite Evolution (click for review) | Specialized Pathfinder Pro (click for review) | Teravail Cannonball Light & Supple (click for review) | Vittoria Terreno Dry (click for review) | WTB Riddler TCS Light/Fast Rolling (click for review) | WTB Venture Road TCS (click for review)
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 & Photos: Benjamin Topf, Philipp Schwab