Review: Halo RXR Road Plus Gravel tyre

By Richard Hallett

Pros: grip in poor conditions, tubeless ready. Cons: only two sizes

Cycle magazine's technical editor Richard Hallett reviews the grippy all-roads tyre that’s lightweight and rolls well

Halo Wheels £59.99

One of three tyres from Halo using the same 60tpi carcass, the RXR features a tread pattern suitable for firm surfaces such as tarmac and hardpack trails. Of the other two, the GXC is designed for use in muddy conditions and the GXR for mixed, but more challenging, all-roads riding. The RXR comes in one 650B size, 47-584, and one 700C size, 35-622.

The former designates a 47mm-wide tyre that will fit a 650B or 27.5" rim, so it will suit those looking for a medium/wide ‘road plus’ tyre. Installed on a 24mm wide rim at 55psi, the RXR inflates to 45mm at its widest. It’s a useful size: wide enough for spirited riding on rough, stony tracks, yet narrow enough to squeeze into the space available on most dedicated gravel, bikepacking or adventure-touring bikes.

A close look at the tread reveals a pattern composed largely of blocks shaped like the letter ‘H’ – slender and closely interwoven at an angle to the centreline on the shoulders, and blockier along the central strip, where the H shape leaves square indents. According to Halo, the tread cap has a harder rubber compound in the middle to lessen rolling resistance and promote longevity, with softer, grippier rubber on the sides. The cap extends the full width of the tyre to help protect the sidewall from cuts and to maximise available grip.

The sidewalls feel nice and supple, and this is backed up by the tyre’s weight, which at 505g for the tan sidewall version is impressive given its width and the amount of tread. The black sidewall version is 20g heavier.

I tested the RXR both tubeless and with innertubes. Both were trouble free. Tubeless installation on non-tubeless rims fitted with Stans No Tubes rim tapes (Cycle Feb/Mar 2017) was quick and painless, sealant quickly filling pores in the sidewalls.

I didn’t subject the RXRs to deep mud, but the test coincided with a period of persistent rainfall and falling leaves. The grip on wet leaves, leaf sludge and muddy tarmac was astonishing, whether cornering, climbing or braking. There are a couple of downsides to the tread’s performance: the central strip’s indents and ridges set up a pronounced whine on smooth tarmac; and the tread throws up huge amounts of wet road muck, so riders without mudguards beware. If not the fastest road tyre in its class, the RXR is notably plush and comfortable – and ready for a serious adventure.

Verdict

Impressive all-round performance from a well thought-out all-roads tyre. Good looks, excellent traction, reliable and easy tubeless installation, and decent rolling without too much weight to push along.