Bicycle Mechanics - A FAST 32mm tire? (No, really)

Some of my best rides are on hilly and poorly maintained county roads....bumpy descents, gravelly corners, etc. I really like 32mm tires on these roads. Currently I'm using Paselas. Any recommendation on a 32mm tire that emphasizes lighter and more nimble riding....I'm not looking for a tready touring or tandem tire.

Bontrager Select Sports have a raised smooth center section, and I didn't have any problems with rolling resistance on the 27x1.25s. Handling became a wee bit touchier with these than the old slicks they replaced, but I got used to it.

I would recommend Paselas.... :)

Honestly I have a hard time finding a lighter tire in that width, and the biggest determinant of rolling resistance is the thickness of the rubber.

For example there's the Schwalbe Kojak, but already it's heavier and comes with a puncture resistance belt so likely to be slower.

If you want slicker tread there are the Jack Brown tires marketed by Rivendell, which are still made by Panaracer, basically Paselas with less tread texture and more pricetag.

I have yet to try these, but I have ridden extensively on the same design in a slightly thinner format - 700 X27C:

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/tires_tubes_pumps_patches#product=10-092

Their the same manufacturer as my pair of both Rol-y Poly and Ruffy Tuffy.

Been riding on Jack Brown Blues for a few months, I really like them. A good 33 mm tire with reasonably low rolling resistance.

Common sense dictates that comfort and performance are always going to be somewhat "at odds" here. You are going to sacrifice speed if you want comfort...no way around it. Unless you just pump up your 32mm tires to 100 psi (overinflate) until they ride like 23mm tires.....but there's really no point in that.

That said, I like my kendas.

I've been using Challenge Grifo handmade tires on my dirt road bike for about 18 months. They do a great job. Mine weigh 335 grams (on my scale) and measure exactly 33mm wide. They're comfortable and fast.

http://www.velo-orange.com/chgrxs70blcl.html

Vittoria Randonneur Hyper, 700 x 32, folding, 350 grams, 90 psi max., with excellent puncture protection.

I've just started using these tires on a new bike, they have a great ride quality. They're not inexpensive, FWIW.

I haven't tried them yet myself, but the "Grand Bois" tires (http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/Tires.html) have been getting good press.

Performance oriented tires stop at 28 from what I have seen. If you get the folding Pasela, that is one of the lightest and fastest 32c tires I know of. It's what I use.

The Rivendell Jack brown is a Panaracer tire and not all that much different from the Pasela.

My wife has Grand Bois tires. Quite light, but also a bit delicate.

Now, you can go smaller. I loved the Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy. But I went to a bigger tire for the same reason you did. Next year I may go to 35c. There is also the Conti GP 4 season in what they call a 28c. I think it may be a bit smaller than that.

Any recommendation on a 32mm tire that emphasizes lighter and more nimble riding...
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme

I've ridden 32mm Supremes and a set of 32mm Pasela Tourguards on the same bike/wheelset on the same roads/conditions. To me, there is a definite performance disparity between the two. The Supremes seem to roll faster, feel much better in corners, and offer just as much comfort as the TGs. Plus, I've lost some faith in the puncture resistance of the TGs. I think the Supremes are marginally smaller, though.

I use Schwalbe Marathon Supremes on all kinds of surfaces, and think they are great. Light, roll easy, spin up fast, excellent traction - even leaned over, no transition zones because of the wrap around tread, excellent flat protection, bright reflex sidewall, smooth ride, etc, etc, etc....

On an 18mm rim, my 35s measure 35.

A great tire, and are holding up very well.

I have another set waiting in the basement for when they are needed.

I love Vittoria Randonneur's. The pro's tread is very minimal, hypers have even less tread pattern. 120TPI is nearly double Schwalbe Marathon's 67TPI, makes for a much more supple tire.

I use Specialized's Infinity Reflect it also has Specialized's Flak Jacket technology for puncture protection.118106

There is also the Conti GP 4 season in what they call a 28c. I think it may be a bit smaller than that.

Way smaller. I just mounted a pair of these tires on my new wheels built with IRD Cadence rims (same as Kinlin XR-200). On a loaded rollout, they measured smaller than some 25mm tires I've used. Don't even bother trying to use them with 28-32mm tubes. On the other hand, they are extremely light and seem to roll very nicely. I'm doing my first commute on them tomorrow which will give me a decent clue as to how well they really perform.

I am using some Michelin City tires (32c) , they actually feel quicker and suck up more of the road than the Conti Touring 28's i was using on the same rim. And at 15-20 bucks a tire they don't break the bank. While not light they aren't bricks. They worked well on my 95 mile ride in the rain on Saturday.

On my tourer, I run Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase 32s

http://media.trekbikes.com/images/products/x-large/85790.jpg

The only reason they're not /really/ fast is ... me ;)

But I'm pretty darned happy with them. Smooth ride, good puncture resistance, long-wearing.

I think you're going to have a hard time finding a nicer tire than the Pasela TG for the money. The Schwalbe Marathon Racer is an exceptionally comfortable tire. I've been using it in a 26x1.5 version but it's not as puncture proof as the Pasela TG or Marathon Supreme. I'd pick the Pasela over the Supreme for fast and comfy.

If I was in your shoes I'd put a Pasela TG on the rear and Marathon Racer on the front. In the 26" version it's like a big fat sewup. Apparently the Racer comes in 30mm and 35mm. Who knows how that compares to other tires in size. I've got a 700x35Marathon XR that looks noticably smaller than a 35Marathon Supreme. I haven't A/B a Pasela and Racer but have a Pasela TG on the front and Supreme on the rear of a LHT. On another bike I've gone through combinations of 26x1.5 slick tires and the Marathon Racers stand out for their ride.

http://www.schwalbetires.com/marathon_racer

here you go, you need a time machine to get a ridable version. Big fat Clement silk Del Mundo.

http://cgi.ebay.ph/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280367783508