USAZorro

I recently got a pair of these. They're reasonably priced, comfortable, mounted without a big struggle (on different rims), and while I don't have a ton of miles on them, they were thick enough, and are made of a compound that gave the impression they are pretty flat resistant. Having ridden Grand Bois and Compass tires, I've gotten pretty finnicky, but these, and Col de La Vies (which I don't think are made in 622's) are two Panaracer tires that I can recommend to someone who wants an affordable tire with some durability and a good ride feel.

noglider 

Your requirements are rather unusual, which means this is NOT a dead horse. Tires are a topic that interests many of us all the time.

@Fahrenheit531, that's the first defect I've heard of with Paselas. I'm not doubting you for a moment, just saying that it's rare. If you tried one again, I'd bet the same thing won't happen. I think Paselas are pretty good, but other Panaracer-made tires are better. You just have to pay more.

I have Pari Motos on my Lemond now. They are 650b x 38mm. I've never ridden that size before, so I can't do a fair comparison, but yeah, cushy. I ride over a bump and then ask myself if I actually rode over it.

Vittoria makes some terrific tires, but I don't think you can get tan walls. If you lifted this requirement, you could look into Vittoria and also Continental. I have the Continental GP4000S-II on my McLean in 28mm. They measure 29mm. They are incredibly supple. My impression is that Continental tires are a bit more durable than Panaracer, too. This model has been replaced by the GP5000, and it's said to be even suppler. Consider this tire and whatever is analogous from Vittoria.

All the prose we are writing proves this is not a dead horse.

bikemig 

Perhaps it just proves we like talking about bikes, tires, etc. . . . .



If the OP hadn't said he had to have gumwall tires, I'd have voted for schwable marathon supreme touring tire in 700 x 32c.

squirtdad

just for reference on cost when bying from a UK bike shop I have saved a lot by buying tyres this way (excuse the fonts....just the way the cut and paste works) and as noted tanwalls is limiting

graveld king sk in 32 $29 https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-t.../11567319.html

these look interesting CHALLENGE PARIS ROUBAIX 300 TPI CLINCHER ROAD TYRE - BLACK/TAN - 700C X 27MM https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-t.../11407803.html

Vittoria Corsa Control G2.0 https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-t.../12070112.html

this is what I run...but may not meet OP needs

Vittoria Corsa G+ 65 for 2 https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-t.../11443944.html

noglider 

@squirtdad, if you use shift-control-v, you paste without formatting. If you're on a Mac, it's shift-command-v.

Reynolds 531 

Thanks. Ive never seen those. Black Chili compound is great.

canklecat

Here's a photo of the Continental Grand Prix Classic skinwall tire against a desk lamp. The sidewalls are translucent, very thin.



Continental Grand Prix Classic skinwalls -- translucent against a desk lamp.


After mounting and inflating the tires I noticed I had to top off the tires a few times before riding. Presumably the tires stretched a bit. After about an hour the pressure seemed to stabilize.

I took a 15 mile test ride Tuesday night, riding cautiously since it takes awhile to rub off the mold release and get a feel for the actual tire tread grip characteristics. The grip felt about the same as the Conti Ultra Sport II, which are cheap but good. I haven't had any problems with the Ultra Sport II, including punctures, despite the low price and absence of any special puncture shield.

Continental recommends running the Grand Prix Classics full pressure, around 120 psi. So that's what I did the first ride. Didn't feel any different from the Ultra Sport II or more expensive Schwalbe One V-Guards at max pressure. At full pressure on chipseal they all feel pretty much like riding a buckboard.

I've always been skeptical of claims for "supple" tires and think we're mostly feeling the effects of tire pressure, not sidewall characteristics. If a tire can be safely run around 25% below max pressure, it's probably going to feel "supple". Even my thick wall Michelin Protek Cross Max 700x40 tires feel "supple" at 40-50 psi, rather than the maximum 75 psi recommended for my weight.

The only tire I've tried that felt significantly different at various pressures was the cheap Vittoria Zaffiro wire bead, which has stiff sidewalls and thick-ish tread. At full pressure it felt like wooden blocks sliding on pavement -- reasonably fast but harsh. At lower pressure they were sluggish. I could have tolerated that, but the tread also got cuts and nicks much too easily from ordinary conditions -- lots of chipseal and broken glass. No problems with the Conti Ultra Sport II.

So I may try the GP Classics at around 90 psi rear, 75 psi front, next ride. That's how I usually ride the Ultra Sport II in 700x25, without problems. We'll see how the thinner skinwalls hold up. I know some users reported sidewall failures with the GP 4000s II. If those sidewalls are like the GP Classic I can see how even a tiny nick or abrasion in the sidewall could result in sudden failure.

Kuromori

Minimum pressures are because of liability issues. Not sure why it's being framed as pressure vs supple sidewalls. You can run tires rock hard so they barely deform, or you can run them softer, and obviously they will feel different from rock hard, but not quite in the same way, and not at the same speed.

Bad Lag

I don't know much about bicycles on dirt/gravel roads.

What I do know is I would go straight to Schwalbe's web site to look for tires. They have a fantastically large selection with options for varying degrees of puncture resistance, sidewalls, weights, bead types, tread types,... everything.

What wheel size is the frame designed for 27" or 700C? Is 650B an option for the OP?

canklecat

Yeah, I figured I'd try the Conti GP Classics for a few rides until it feels right, subjectively. Then I'll check the pressure and keep it there. It'll probably end up around 80-90 rear, 65-75 front.

My fault for the digression about suppleness, an entirely subjective issue. All Conti tires I've ridden retain reasonably low rolling resistance at lower, more comfortable pressure. Others, notably the Vittoria Zaffiros, are sluggish at a comfortable pressure. Confirmed by the Rolling Resistance site tests.

But in terms of comfort alone, apart from rolling resistance, pretty much any tire can feel less harsh at the right pressure. The tricky bit is rolling resistance and safety - whether the tire will blow off the rim or rupture on impact.

phobus

One tire you might want to consider that I haven't seen mentioned yet: the Soma Supple Vitesse. It comes in two versions, SL (Superlight) and EX (Extra Wear). The EX doesn't weigh much more, and compared to others still isn't really a heavy tire. Made in Japan by Panaracer. Interesting tread pattern.

https://www.somafab.com/archives/pro...-clincher-tire

55murray

I've switched to these recently, from the conti 2000 touring tires that were on my Miyata 610. Man do they feel nice on the road! I ride in a rural area with decent roads and almost never get flats, so I'm risking it for the lighter weight, low rolling resistance and sporty feel.

SurferRosa

Those look awesome. And that seems like a great price. The next time I need tires, I'm pullin' the trigger on these.

One of the nice things about flipping a few bikes a year ... I can move used rubber over to a flip and try something new on a keeper.

deux jambes

Thanks everyone! Too many great replies here to respond to individually, but I appreciate each person’s input.

Some, suggested tires I hadn’t considered yet. And some challenged me to think about things a little differently than I had been so far. Still, others confirmed ideas ideas already held.

Taking nearly every tire mentioned in this conversation, I checked specs, descriptions, and reviews out online. After weighing out the pros and cons of each I’ve decided to take the suggestion from those who recommended GravelKing. Went ahead and ordered a pair of the slicks in 32c.

If they’re half as good as the better reviews they’ve received, then they should at least allow me to clock in a few comfy scenic mikes before winter sets in. After that they should continue to serve well for basic duties through the winter. Seems like the tire I need right now, and one I could meet with my wallet for the time being.

Once again, all the food for thought is appreciated all. Thanks!

jethin

I’d like to hear your unbiased review after a few miles. I’ve heard of these tires but never tried them. I’m also in the market for some new/good skinwalls. At present I ride panaracers for skinwall and black Contis when I can stomach the look.

Bad Lag

They do look interesting and inexpensive ($62/pair).

As I am riding on my last pair of Challenge Paris-Roubaix, perhaps I should buy a pair for when I need them. I've been riding on a couple pairs of these Challenge tires in black/tan for several years. They have been very nice - very tubular in their feel but easy to repair flats. They inspire confidence in high speed, off-camber, 180 degree turns. Even though the black top is rough, there is not the slightest hint the tires will chatter or let go. Their performance in turns is really their best characteristic - very nice!

noglider 

@deux jambes, when you're ready, please do write back. A friend of mine whose opinion I respect swears by Gravel Kings. He said lighter tires didn't work well for him.

And when you write, just for fun, see if you can emulate @SquidPuppet's style in this review. The thread is hilarious, and it is worth reading every one of his posts in it.

ThermionicScott 

^ That thread is a delight every time I revisit it.

MrK.

+1 on the Soma Supple Vitesse tires. I have some 42s on my Speedy Devil.

noglider 

It's one of the re-readable-est threads on BF.