Originally released for cross applications in the 90s, the Ritchey Speedmax returned in 2017 as a tubeless and gravel ready option for riders looking to take advantage of their bike’s newfound clearances. With this tire being the only 700x40c offering currently available from Ritchey, I was curious to see how the tire performed on everything from coastal sandy paths to the mountain gravel roads of San Diego. In this review, we take a closer look to see just how good Tom’s widest 700c tire is on gravel.

Design

Upon first inspection, the tread on the SpeedMax appears relatively bulky with a triangular divot pattern down the center, and protruding knobs off-center. However, the look of this tire is somewhat deceiving as it rolls surprisingly smooth on multiple surfaces. This is likely due to the fact that although the center pattern appears bumpy, the raised centerline has a flush surface that maintains contact with the road surface. Traction is also achieved via recessed squares, a tire design feature shared perhaps more obviously on the Ritchey Alpine JB gravel tire which has recessed triangles.

SpeedMax Tubeless Features

Size 700x40mm
Weight 514 grams
TPI 120
Tubeless Tubeless-ready
Side Wall Black
Casing Stronghold
Bead Foldable

Performance

Ritchey’s WCS Stronghold casing promises durability, especially when set up tubeless as it is intended to be. My pair was easily mounted and Orange Seal’d to a set of Reserve 22 carbon wheels, with tire pressures typically set between 30-35psi. The tires held up extremely well over a few hundred miles of mixed terrain riding, with no visible cuts or punctures to speak of.

The SpeedMax name is certainly appropriate as this tire performs best in high-speed, gravel applications while still minimizing resistance on road. I had no problem maintaining traction on the loose or steep dirt sections either, a must in the Southern California dry season. Cornering on these tires was fast and fun with well appointed side contours.

Final Call

The tradeoff with the SpeedMax comes in more technical terrain and pure off-road adventures. This is not the most supple 40mm tire around, and I found the tread lacked the grip desired on singletrack or rough fireroad. These drawbacks however are what you might expect from a tire that excels on hardpack and gravel, where speed and durability are premium. If you are looking for an across-the-board fast and durable tire in 700x40c, the SpeedMax is a go-to option. I see this tire best for riders who love going fast and tend to ride a mix of gravel with road connectors. The SpeedMax would be solid choice at races like the BWR and SBT GRVL. I would expect this tire to do fine in slightly muddy conditions as well, although I didn’t have a chance to fully test this application. The SpeedMax 700x40 Gravel Tire costs $59.95 USD.