Differences in grip and rolling resistance
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Cross country tires and gravity tires each have their own characteristics when it comes to grip and rolling resistance. Cross country tires are designed for efficiency and have lower rolling resistance so you can move quickly and with less effort on trails or race tracks. The tread patterns are designed to provide you with sufficient grip on firm and dry surfaces.
Gravity tires, on the other hand, offer extreme grip, which is essential when you're on demanding downhill or freeride routes. The most important thing here is traction and control, which is achieved through aggressive tread blocks and softer rubber compounds. However, this leads to higher rolling resistance compared to cross country tires.
In short, cross country tires are for speed and low resistance, gravity tires are for maximum control and grip on difficult terrain.