Any suggestions for gravel tire for gravel around the Finger Lakes in NY?
Whilst I daresay there will be some other Escapees who are familiar with those specific trails, you might get more responses if you paint a picture for those who aren’t. What are the conditions like? Industry Standard Guide to Gravel (ISGG) - The Unpaved Hub is a good place to start.
Max clearance on your bike would also be useful to know.
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I’ve ridden the keuka lake gravel race a few times. I’d classify that course as mostly smooth, sometimes very steep, with an occasional chunky downhill. A g-one rx front and g-one r rear, both in 50, got me around without issue.
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Familiar with the greater Ithaca area. Spent a week riding 45 Terra Comps there earlier this month. Great for the paved connections you will inevitably end up on but left a bit to be desired on the chunkier stuff. Seconding the above opinion for a generally fast-rolling tire with some tread (G-ONE R or RX). Pathfinders are a pretty good option as well though I have had mixed results with the newest version.
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That ISGG seems very optimistic to me; 38-42mm is the maximum size suggested(!).
There’s no type 1 gravel near me, maybe a little type 2 or 3, but plenty of type 4 or worse. If it’s dead smooth then sure road tyres are fine with a little care, but IME 35+ mm is more pleasant even on relatively okay surfaces.
When things get ugly 42mm usually makes things doable, but 45mm plus can survive even rough fire trails, dependent on line choice and skill; if in doubt, go wider. If in a hurry, a smoother rear tyre is likely to roll faster. If there are loose corners a really smooth front tyre is sketchy - you don’t want the front wheel to break away first. Wider plus lower pressure is more comfortable too…
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My go to these days riding the gravel and pavement a little east of the Finger Lakes in Otsego County are 40mm Tufo Gravel Thunderos. They’ve been great wet and dry, on the beat up pavement and the sometimes very chunky dirt roads.
No idea about the gravel with modern bikes but I grew up on Keuka Lake, it’s a lovely area! Have fun 
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