Halo GXR gravel tyre review

Sitting right in the middle of Halo’s gravel tyre range, the GXR borrows the semi-slick centre line of the RXR Road Plus tyre and combines it with the diamond-shaped shoulder knobs of the GXC model.

The result is a 40mm-wide gravel tyre that combines on-road performance with off-road grip.

It performs well in drier conditions and sets a decent pace on the road, but lacks grip in wet conditions and size options are limited.

Halo GXR specifications and details

Positioned as a tyre for road, gravel and hardpack, the Halo GXR is available in two widths; 40mm for 700c wheels and 47mm for 650b wheels.

The semi-slick centreline is composed of a chain of low-profile ‘H’ symbols, while the shoulder of the tyre hosts a regular pattern of more aggressive diamond-shaped knobs.

These shoulder knobs, designed to offer additional grip when cornering, are also siped to enhance water shedding and improve performance in wet-weather conditions.

The tread is dual-compound. This means a harder-wearing rubber is used for the centreline, while softer, grippier rubber is employed closer to the shoulders.

Halo GXR performance

Though it was easy to get onto the rim, the GXR needed a little more persuasion for the bead to fully seat.

I used a shot of pressurised air at 100psi followed by some additional inflation with a track pump to help it pop into place.

On the 23mm-wide WTB CZR i23 rims, the GXR tyre measured 40.5mm wide at the shoulder, just a fraction over the nominal 40mm width.

Ridden first in the wet, the plump gravel tyre gave a good ride on rough, gritty tarmac lanes and onto forest gravel tracks.

The semi-slick centreline means it offers little resistance over smoother sections, which is a major plus if you find yourself taking in good tarmac stretches between off-road segments.

In fact, the tyre felt especially fast along some of my local lanes – which are notoriously rough on narrower road bike tyres.

When the damp trails became more technical, the Halo GXR didn’t perform as well. The semi-slick centreline didn’t offer a huge amount of braking grip on steeper descents, meaning the rear wheel often skidded about.

Where some surprise July mud was added into the equation, grip really went out of the window.

Admittedly, the Halo GXR is not positioned as a mud tyre, though it’s worth noting if you’re looking for more of an all-rounder option rather than something that’s suited more specifically to dry summer riding.

While performance on dry gravel and hardpack was perfectly fine, without a hint of a puncture, my off-road riding confidence dropped significantly when it was wet.

Unfortunately, that’s been an all too common feature of the British summer during which this tyre was tested, and demonstrates the growing need to have a tyre suitable for many conditions in one season (or to have alternatives to switch to).

Halo GXR bottom line

The Halo GXR certainly fares best in the dry and is perhaps better suited to summer use on less techy trails.

I think you could also use it in combination with the more aggressive tread of the Halo GXC for additional centreline grip up-front.

The GXR's suitability for everyday mixed-terrain riding will depend on how frequently you’re willing to switch your tyres out to suit the conditions, or whether you’re blessed by a drier climate.