Cyclist0108

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Compass 700C x 28 Chinook Pass

Well, that was weird. I tried to simply paste a link.

Anyhoo, I currently have Clement Strada 28mm tires crammed in there, but I find myself seduced by the gumwalls and absurd, audiophile-like claims of how vastly better these would be, best ride one can have with one's clothes on, etc.

Is it just hype? Do these really feel that much better? Am I going to get flat tires every 300 ft?

Andy_K 

I haven't been able to talk myself into swallowing the Kool Aid just yet. I completely buy the reasoning in favor of wider and more supple tires, but if you're not going any wider than 28s I can't see spending that much. I've got 700x28 Conti GP 4000S IIs on a lot of my bikes, and they're plenty fast and supple for me, though sadly not available with gum walls. They are a bit wider than spec, so come out to around 30mm on a 23mm rim. I use the 700x25 size if I don't have room for 30, and they come in around 28.

I did put Panaracer Pari Motos on my 650B conversion Grand Jubilé. Those are apparently even thinner than the Compass tires, and I did get a flat every 300 feet until I installed tubes with sealant. I haven't had a flat since then, but I suspect I've also lost some of the suppleness benefits.

Steve Whitlatch 

I would not pay that much for pamaracer tires.

Aubergine 

T-Mar

Like audiophiles, there are velophiles who claim to be able to distinguish the most subtle of differences in bicycles and components. The unknown factor is whether your senses are capable of detecting the difference and even if they were, the cost may outweigh the benefits on your personal scale. I think that you had subconsciously already made the decision when you chose the world "blow" for your description.

ascherer 

If you haven't, read through these: https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespe...e-warning.html

I put the lightweight version of Bon Jon Passes (35mm) on my 71 International earlier this year, replacing Pasela 28s. I've put about 250 miles on them riding in and around the 5 boroughs of NYC and I am very happy. <knocks wood> No flats. I'm not sure how my experience would relate to their narrower width tires. FWIW I put the Paselas on my wife's Cannondale Synapse, replacing the 23mm Schwalbe somethingorothers - maybe Durano? - that were on it before. She reports an improved ride as well.

Wildwood 

I've recently acquired a nice clincher wheelset and am considering this 'twin pack' purchase.

https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-t.../11443944.html

Vittoria Graphene in a 28mm, 2 for $90 with free (slow) delivery from UK.

fender1

I have been using them since they started offering them. 38mm/35mm/28mm on different bikes. I think they are the best tires available and worth the money. I liked them better than any Panaracer tire ( they are manufactured by Panaracer but designed by Compass there is a difference. Not simply a re-brand) and they replaced Vittoria Hyper Randos in 35mm & 38mm. I have had one flat in the time since I switched over. That time frame is 3 or 4 years now? Not sure.

Anywho life is short and its only money.

Steve Whitlatch 

it's pretty strange that a guy that is just a guy designed tires better than every tire manufacturer with millions invested in research and design over the last 100 years. They all must be pretty embarrassed?

wphamilton

Generally I'd say not, but classic bikes should hold to a different standard. IMO. I say put the best tires on it that you can find.

tyrion

I think it makes perfect sense. They (Jan Heine and co.) wanted a fatter tire built like a lightweight racing tire and there were none, so he had Panaracer make some.

https://janheine.wordpress.com/2018/...om-panaracers/

Whether a (presumably) low mileage tire for $80 makes sense - that's a different question.

Andy_K 

Agreed. It's not like he submitted a formula for a new rubber compound or something. I imagine Jan's "design" amounts to telling the Panaracer representatives the characteristics he wants in the tires and what tradeoffs he is willing to make. Then the rep passes those specifications on to the engineers who fill in the details (probably with some back and forth to verify and clarify intent) and give it to manufacturing.

It does concern me a little bit that no other manufacturer thinks tires like this are worth making, but that's probably more of marketing issue than anything else.

noglider 

I need 28mm tires for my Lemond. I *think* they'll fit. I am going to try Continental GP4000 S-II tires, as they are well rated and don't cost as much as Compass tires. I'm not saying Compass tires are all hype. I'm just not ready to try them.

athrowawaynic

Go all in.

Pick up the Chinook Pass, a pair of GP4000SII, and a pair of Corsa G+. Report back.

iab

Let's say it is $100 more than you would normally spend on tires. In the grand scheme of my life, $100 ain't much. So I drink less tequila. Go out to lunch less. Don't go to the movies. Don't drive to see inlaws.

And even if you never buy them again, you tried it and you won't feel the financial hit in 20 years. The question is why wouldn't you try them?

Cyclist0108

Be aware that these expand quite a bit, depending on rims. On my HED Belgium Plus rims, they are about 35mm wide (I kid you not). My 28mm Clemencies are about 30mm on the same rims. The Continentals are much nicer, however, and the bike I have them on can take 40mm nanos.

Cyclist0108

Flats.

TenGrainBread 

For what it's worth, I run the 38mm Compass tires on my city/rail trail bike ('95 Cannondale H300). No flats after a year of riding rough city pavement and light gravel. Not much wear on the tread either. They are very nice riding tires, but I will probably stick to the slightly better priced Gravelkings in the future.

if you are looking for a similarly supple Panaracer tire, look at Soma's Supple Vitesse. I run the 42s on a bike and the 28s on another and the ride feel is the same as the Compass.

davester

Only if you can't fit the 32mm Stampede Pass tires!

I have both Clement Strada LGGs and Compass Stampede Passes, with several thousand miles on each. The Clements totally suck. Since I am a cheapskate I am continuing their use on my commuter until I wear them out (getting very close) and then will never buy them again. They are out of round and a PITA to mount in a more or less round configuration. The Compasses are far superior to any tire I've ridden. They are extremely smooth, round, comfortable, and grippy in the corners. I've even used them on three Eroicas now, along with many gravel training rides. The sidewalls do get a bit banged up, but no flats on gravel yet (knock on wood). In general, they yield roughly the same flat rate as with my old Gatorskins (though those were 28s). The per mile cost is negligible so I will continue to buy them.

Chrome Molly

since6

Without a doubt moving from Compass 28cm to 32cm in both 700c and 650b is a game changer. The latter change on our tandem made a good 2 mph difference in ride average speed and much nicer ride on chip seal, bride edges etc. The same was also true on my 72 Nishiki Professional, will not go back to 32cm, but still have 28cm on my Stevenson custom just not enough room with fenders for 32, still the flexible side wall 28cm offer some of the ride and benefits of the 32cm tires. Bigger tires are fast and comfortable I shudder to remember riding 23cm and how much they hurt and skipped about on chip seal and any edge encountered. Now pay me like a Pro rider and sure I would suffer them, but only if you paid me.

Chrome Molly

clasher

I put the compass 700x38mm on my cross bike and they are quick riding tires, the only comparisons I have are heavy commuting tires in that size. On my road bikes I've had good luck with vittoria open corsa cx. Recently I scooped up a pair of Challenge Paris-Roubaix for around 60$ from planet x while I was buying some of their discount winter clothing... I have the tubular Paragi-Roubaix and they are really sweet tires too. The "open" version was a bear to mount but not impossible as some reviews seem to indicate.

Contigo

Don't know about the 28s but my 32s have proved long-wearing. Jan deserves credit for adding a little extra tread depth even at some weight penalty. My back tire at 2,000 miles is probably good for another 1,500 and maybe another 2,000.

Gravel Kings in the same width are nearly as comfortable, and a little more flat resistant, but don't wear as long. I ride a lot of gravel and other than a few goat head flats I have never had my standard weight Compass tires suffer any sidewall cuts, and only very small (and harmless) cuts in the tread. In my experience, they are not fragile.

Factor useful life into the cost, is all I'm saying.

Barrettscv 

+1. It's a no-brainer. The performance of the Corsa is significantly higher than a 700x28 Compass.