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# The Fastest Gravel Tire You Can Buy — Hutchinson Caracal Race
- URL: https://www.platooncycles.com/the-fastest-gravel-tire-you-can-buy-hutchinson-caracal-race/
- Published: 2026-02-25T12:00:31.000Z
- Updated: 2026-02-25T12:00:31.000Z
- Author: Mike Kwak
- Tags: Review

Rolling resistance matters more than most riders think — especially if you're riding Korea's paved bike paths mixed with gravel sections. The new

**Hutchinson** **Caracal** **Race** **700x40c** just proved it's the real deal.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/01/5d010117-54ee-42c0-b578-a7c401c31b2b/content/images/2026/02/-------------------------------2026-02-25--------------8.53.38.png)

  
**What** **the** **Numbers** **Say**

Independent testing by https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/cx-gravel-reviews/hutchinson-caracal-race — the gold standard for tire testing — measured the Caracal Race at just **13.6** **watts** of rolling resistance. To put that in perspective:

 \- It's **faster** **than** **most** **road** **tires**, including the popular Schwalbe Pro One 38mm

 \- Among gravel tires with actual tread, it's ranked **#1** **in** **the** **world**

 \- It scored a perfect **5** **out** **of** **5** rating

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/01/5d010117-54ee-42c0-b578-a7c401c31b2b/content/images/2026/02/hutchinson-gravel-caracal-race-1-1.png)

  
**Why** **This** **Matters** **for** **Riding** **in** **Korea**

If you're doing the **Cross-Country** **route** **(국토종주)**, the **4** **Rivers** **paths**, or just commuting around base, you're dealing with a mix of smooth pavement and packed gravel. The Caracal Race is built exactly for this:

\- **Slick** **center** rolls fast on pavement: you won't feel like you're fighting your tires

\- **Edge** **knobs** give you grip when the path turns to gravel or you hit corners

\- **40mm** **width** at lower pressure soaks up vibration on rough sections

  
**The** **Tech** **Behind** **It**

Hutchinson pulled technology from their road racing tires — the **Mach** **Tread** **3.0** **compound** and **SwiftEasy** **casing** — and put it in a gravel format. Handmade in

 France, 127 TPI, coming in at just 464g measured.

  
**Who** **Is** **This** **Tire** **For?**

\- Riders who spend **most** **of** **their** **time** **on** **pavement** **or** **hardpack** but want gravel capability

\- Anyone doing **mixed-surface** **rides** like Korea's bike path network

\- Gravel racers who want every watt they can get

  
**Who** **Should** **Look** **Elsewhere?**

If you're riding muddy trails or loose mountain gravel regularly, a more aggressive tread like the standard Caracal or a dedicated MTB tire would serve you better.

  
**Available** **at** **Platoon** **Cycles** — stop by and we'll help you find the right tire for your riding style.

**Availabe: 700 x 40c / 700 x 45c (MSRP: 89,000 krw)**

Sources:

\- https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/cx-gravel-reviews/hutchinson-caracal-race

\- https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/cx-gravel-reviews

\- https://cycling.hutchinson.com/tyres/gravel/caracal-race/

\- https://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/tyres/hutchinson-caracal-race-gravel-tyre-review-significant-improvements-in-speed