Sea Otter 2018 is underway, and for the next few weeks, we will be bringing you a look at some of the products that caught our eye during the annual trade show. This post looks at a new gravel tire from IRC.
Past experience has shown IRC’s tires are well-suited for gravel and mixed terrain riding. We highlighted the Serac Sand cyclocross tire in our pave tire roundup and Jake Wells said he has a number of IRC tires he chooses from for his gravel riding.
IRC’s new Boken gravel tire is the company’s new answer for high-volume rough road riding. The Boken, which is Japanese for sword, will first be available in 36mm and 40mm options for 700c hoops.
![The tread of the Serac Sand inspired the new Boken gravel tire. IRC Boken Gravel Tire. 2018 Sea Otter Classic. © Cyclocross Magazine](https://www.cxmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/irc-boken-gravel-tire20180419105338_IMG_4159-01-cxmagazine-sea-otter-2018-750x500.jpeg)
The tread of the Serac Sand inspired the new Boken gravel tire. IRC Boken Gravel Tire. 2018 Sea Otter Classic. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Serac Sand tread inspired the new Boken tread. The wide tire has a diamond pattern down the center and knobs on the side for grip when conditions get rougher. The 36mm tire has a claimed weight of 390g and the 40mm is 420g. We measured the demo tires at Sea Otter and found they inflate true to size on a 23mm internal width tubeless rim.
![The Boken tread features low-profile diamonds on the center and side knobs for grip while cornering. IRC Boken Gravel Tire. 2018 Sea Otter Classic. © Cyclocross Magazine](https://www.cxmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/irc-boken-gravel-tire20180419105306_IMG_4157-01-cxmagazine-sea-otter-2018-750x500.jpeg)
The Boken tread features low-profile diamonds on the center and side knobs for grip while cornering. IRC Boken Gravel Tire. 2018 Sea Otter Classic. © Cyclocross Magazine
We also saw a prototype for 650b models of the Boken. IRC plans on releasing 650b x 43mm and 47mm options down the road. As the photo below shows, the 650b Road Plus model will have a different tread pattern.
![IRC was also showing a 650b prototype that will have a different tread than the 700c version. IRC Boken Gravel Tire. 2018 Sea Otter Classic. © Cyclocross Magazine](https://www.cxmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/irc-boken-gravel-tire20180419104525_IMG_4139-01-cxmagazine-sea-otter-2018-750x500.jpeg)
IRC was also showing a 650b prototype that will have a different tread than the 700c version. IRC Boken Gravel Tire. 2018 Sea Otter Classic. © Cyclocross Magazine
The IRC Boken tires will retail for $79.99 each.
Stay tuned for much more coverage from the 2018 Sea Otter trade show and bike races.