Has Jan gone off the deep end?
#51
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I'm a convert to fat tires but even for me it boils down to the right tire for the right job. My 700c bike has 32mm Vittoria Hypers and even at my weight of 400 lbs, as long as the pavement is smooth, they are plenty of tire. On the other hand, 99% of my rides take place within a mile or so of my home and even though it's a new subdivision, the pavement is anything but smooth. I think they used the cheapest grade of asphalt installed by the absolute lowest bidder.....the number of potholes and sections where the entire road has collapsed in 1-2" lines stretching from curb-to-curb is inexcusable but it's what I've got. For these rides, I prefer a 26" wheel bike with 55mm Big Apples. I can also get 50mm Schwalbe Kojaks, 50mm Supremes and now the Rat Trap Pass tires are welcome addition.
I created my own Ravn by converting a mid-90's hybrid to a 26" bike. Since I rarely exceed the low teens in speed, I installed a fork from an MTB on my 700c bike so I at least have a front brake. The difference between this bike and a 90's MTB is that my bike has a much shorter top-tube and more imporantly, a much lower bottom bracket. In fact, my bike has 65mm of BB drop, the same as the Ravn. It's high trail but that's not a problem because it's what I'm used to and the heavier tubing of a hybrid is more appropriate for my weight. The Ravn would probably feel like a wet noodle under me.
This bike is a blast to ride and it feels significantly different from my MTB's from the 80's and 90's. I only periodically build it up and ride it for awhile and then I go back to my modern 700c bike and build up another of the MTB frames I've got hanging in the garage.
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#52
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I would be very interested to hear your opinion of the Sand Canyon. Most of my bikes are 27' as well and I have been seriously considering a set of these tires. If you get a chance, could you tell me how wide they measure and what rims you have them mounted on. If.you don't mind, a picture of the tire mounted on a rim would also be greatly appreciated. It is hard to make out the tread pattern on their website when they are folded up. Thank you.
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#55
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One could argue that he's been there for quite a while.
I've recently been reading through the back issue catalog of BQ and it's very interesting to see ideas that were featured in the test runs in the 2009/10/11 issues come to fruition today. As mentioned above, a lot of what BQ is after are the ideal components for the terrain they like to ride. This appears to be a lot of mountain roads, gravel/dirt and some light trails. The flip is being able to turn around and get their audience engaged with the components and develop items that are missing from the marketplace to satisfy a demand create partially by the publication.
It seems to be working fairly well as a lot of the component types and philosophy has been co-opted by larger market participants like Surly/Soma/etc. I'm not quite sure I need such large tires but it is very interesting seeing the 26" all-road concept develop over time.
I've recently been reading through the back issue catalog of BQ and it's very interesting to see ideas that were featured in the test runs in the 2009/10/11 issues come to fruition today. As mentioned above, a lot of what BQ is after are the ideal components for the terrain they like to ride. This appears to be a lot of mountain roads, gravel/dirt and some light trails. The flip is being able to turn around and get their audience engaged with the components and develop items that are missing from the marketplace to satisfy a demand create partially by the publication.
It seems to be working fairly well as a lot of the component types and philosophy has been co-opted by larger market participants like Surly/Soma/etc. I'm not quite sure I need such large tires but it is very interesting seeing the 26" all-road concept develop over time.
I pretty much agree with what you said, Spoonrobot. I get sick of all the zippity doo-dah labels of the latest riding fad and all the hoop-la that goes along with it. 29er's, 650B's, Fixies, "Real World", Gravel Grinders, "All-Road Enduro", etc. Kriminies, with all the cycling equipment available to us today we can put whatever the heck we want to on our bikes and ride them wherever/however we want without all the fancy labels.
I'm definitely not against sensible innovation, I welcome it. But I don't want it shoved down my throat like I'm not a real rider if I don't get into the latest trend. I was wondering how Bicycle Quarterly and Compass Bicycles were going to co-exist when they became 'sisters'. I have pro and con feelings about it. I will always look to Jan Heine's opinions before any other magazine's, but I'm starting to get the feeling BQ is becoming a bit more like other bike magazines in some areas. And I have every issue of Vintage Bicycle Quarterly and BQ.
Apologies extended for my rant. Didn't get to ride today.
#56
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First, Jan Heine told me my 23mm tires were too narrow, so I gave 28s a shot. Great! Then he had me put 32s on my commuting bike. Fantastic! But I really can't see a context in which I'd need/want anything larger. I know a lot of 650B enthusiasts love their 42s, and I took some for a test spin once, but I'm just not sure it's for me.
Now, the soon to be released Compasses are 58mm in diameter. That's a 2 inch wide tire! Wider than a lot of mountain bike tires, yet knobless for road riding. Per Jan:
Haven't we hit a point of diminishing returns on this? I can't forsee any reason why I would need this much rubber.
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2015/...lly-big-tires/
Now, the soon to be released Compasses are 58mm in diameter. That's a 2 inch wide tire! Wider than a lot of mountain bike tires, yet knobless for road riding. Per Jan:
Haven't we hit a point of diminishing returns on this? I can't forsee any reason why I would need this much rubber.
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2015/...lly-big-tires/
Martl, on the race bikes still with 20mm and 23mm...
#57
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I would be very interested to hear your opinion of the Sand Canyon. Most of my bikes are 27' as well and I have been seriously considering a set of these tires. If you get a chance, could you tell me how wide they measure and what rims you have them mounted on. If.you don't mind, a picture of the tire mounted on a rim would also be greatly appreciated. It is hard to make out the tread pattern on their website when they are folded up. Thank you.
I had completely forgotten about this- I can't think of any other time that I was asked for pix and wasn't falling over myself to try to do so... I apologize.
I have the tires mounted on some Super Champion (I assume Modele 58) rims- and for comparison porpoises, a Pasela PT or TG or whatever on a Wolber Model 58:
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#58
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oooh... I have some unattractive fingers...
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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#59
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I put Jan H. In a pile with Trek , Specislized & that Bridgestone guy.
J H is a marketing machine alright.
J H is a marketing machine alright.
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Still putzing around some with the build, but here's what the Rat Trap Pass look like.
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#61
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If you were a reader of Bicycle Quarterly, I'd say it might be you that is off the deep end, but I am assuming that you are not a reader of Bicycle Quarterly.
#62
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Hi @trailmix
I had completely forgotten about this- I can't think of any other time that I was asked for pix and wasn't falling over myself to try to do so... I apologize.
I have the tires mounted on some Super Champion (I assume Modele 58) rims- and for comparison porpoises, a Pasela PT or TG or whatever on a Wolber Model 58:
I had completely forgotten about this- I can't think of any other time that I was asked for pix and wasn't falling over myself to try to do so... I apologize.
I have the tires mounted on some Super Champion (I assume Modele 58) rims- and for comparison porpoises, a Pasela PT or TG or whatever on a Wolber Model 58:
#63
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Great googie-ooglie! Now THAT'S FAT! I've got an old Skunkhumper in the garage, maybe 6 years since it's been ridden, stolen parts...might get me some of those and built it back up.
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#64
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Schwalbe tires are not made for comfort. I have ridden thousands of miles on Big Apples, and they are wide, but not supple. They are heavy, and unless inflated to full pressure, they feel really slow. At full pressure, they are as hard as oak. They are, as I understand it, exactly the kind of tire Jan wants us to get away from. But, to be sure, I have not ridden Jan's high-zoot 2" tires, so I can only repeat what I read.
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It is my opinion. The tests on tires , lights, frames and such in BQ are scientific on one level. Very biased on other levels. JH has his job promoting Compass. It's all
Good.
Good.
#67
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I was pretty skeptical about the results of the tire testing at first. What won me over were the details of, and the rationale behind the testing methodology. Still, the proof was in the riding. The Grand Bois tires have been everything they were built up to be. Admittedly, the payment pinches a bit, but the ride does feel pretty magical.
It is considerably harder to quantify performance of frames though. Jan does make as good faith an effort to be scientific as possible in those reviews, but it's an impossible task to keep all subjectivity out of them.
It is considerably harder to quantify performance of frames though. Jan does make as good faith an effort to be scientific as possible in those reviews, but it's an impossible task to keep all subjectivity out of them.
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#68
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I was skeptical of all JH's testing till I broke down and bought a set of his tires for a couple of bikes.
After riding them this summer, he's won me over for the most part.
They are reliable, comfortable, corner beautifully and roll well at speed.
No bumps, lumps or other oddness.
I would say the biggest plus is the confidence they give me at speed.
On fast descents, especially on a curving downhill stretch the tires don't dish up surprises.
Even on rain slickened surfaces.
I don't like surprises.
After riding them this summer, he's won me over for the most part.
They are reliable, comfortable, corner beautifully and roll well at speed.
No bumps, lumps or other oddness.
I would say the biggest plus is the confidence they give me at speed.
On fast descents, especially on a curving downhill stretch the tires don't dish up surprises.
Even on rain slickened surfaces.
I don't like surprises.
#69
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I didn't realize my comments would offend people. It was only my openion & I should not have posted that. Sorry.
#70
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I see Petersen and Heine as people who have great ideas about bikes and biking that don't seem to be mainstream ideas anymore. They happen to be businessmen that sell products that revolve around their ideas. They're in a position to advocate in the things they believe in- and it seems that the idea of "enjoying riding a bike" is not preferable to the people that dream of being dominant bike racing champions.
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#71
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Anytime anyone suggests that maybe some of the things that Jan Heine writes about should be taken with a grain of salt because he apparently profits (he is the president of Compass Bicycles, https://www.compasscycle.com/about-us/) from the advice he gives out as to tires, components, etc. That doesn't make the advice wrong but it makes me a little skeptical of the advice.
If I'm wrong, I'd love for someone to explain why I'm wrong.
I know there is going to be some blowback on this post. But honestly I've never seen products pushed as hard with so little criticism in bike forums as with Compass Bicycle products.
Call me a little skeptical.
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#72
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I'll throw my free-and-worth-every-penny opinion behind most of Jan H/Compass's products and writing. I've bought several of the SKF BBs and love them, several sets of various tires and had no issues with them. I even bought a set of the gorgeous but v. expensive RH cranks for my Colnago to allow me the gearing I required to complete L'Eroica. I've beat the stuffing out of them and they're still gorgeous (a nice side benefit of no anodizing), and really give you a huge gear range available.
I don't subscribe to everything he writes, but I think his well-written magazine provides a great balance to the available material out there regarding bikes and the activity of cycling in general. One thing you can't dispute; he "walks the walk" when it comes to bike stuff, anyone with his Rando pedigree has a real basis to create products and comment on bicycle build comparisons.
I still own several skinny tire racing bikes, and really enjoy the experience of going back and forth between a sub-20 lb C'Dale R4000 and my 28mm-shod Rando Vanilla. It's all part of the world of cycling, and I think Jan has really added in a meaningful and lasting way to the tapestry of our sport and the available equipment.
I don't subscribe to everything he writes, but I think his well-written magazine provides a great balance to the available material out there regarding bikes and the activity of cycling in general. One thing you can't dispute; he "walks the walk" when it comes to bike stuff, anyone with his Rando pedigree has a real basis to create products and comment on bicycle build comparisons.
I still own several skinny tire racing bikes, and really enjoy the experience of going back and forth between a sub-20 lb C'Dale R4000 and my 28mm-shod Rando Vanilla. It's all part of the world of cycling, and I think Jan has really added in a meaningful and lasting way to the tapestry of our sport and the available equipment.
#73
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I was once a subscriber to BQ. That was about 10 years ago. No longer having those BQ issues now I can't talk about specifics or points of contention.
#74
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Wow, some people have awfully tame ideas of what constitutes 'the deep end'. Imagine, they are tires that dare to be a centimeter or so wider than what is currently considered ok. That is so totally WACKY!!!
#75
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You go right ahead. On almost any subject, there is sharp disagreement in this forum. It is a good way of questioning old truths. Heck if people didn't post their opinions here, we would have run out of things to say a very long time ago.
Anytime anyone suggests that maybe some of the things that Jan Heine writes about should be taken with a grain of salt because he apparently profits (he is the president of Compass Bicycles, https://www.compasscycle.com/about-us/) from the advice he gives out as to tires, components, etc. That doesn't make the advice wrong but it makes me a little skeptical of the advice.
If I'm wrong, I'd love for someone to explain why I'm wrong.
I know there is going to be some blowback on this post. But honestly I've never seen products pushed as hard with so little criticism in bike forums as with Compass Bicycle products.
Call me a little skeptical.
Anytime anyone suggests that maybe some of the things that Jan Heine writes about should be taken with a grain of salt because he apparently profits (he is the president of Compass Bicycles, https://www.compasscycle.com/about-us/) from the advice he gives out as to tires, components, etc. That doesn't make the advice wrong but it makes me a little skeptical of the advice.
If I'm wrong, I'd love for someone to explain why I'm wrong.
I know there is going to be some blowback on this post. But honestly I've never seen products pushed as hard with so little criticism in bike forums as with Compass Bicycle products.
Call me a little skeptical.
It's one thing to be skeptical, it's another to be closed minded and self-important about your opinions.
I haven't used a Compass product- it's a 'someday' thing for me. Judging from what people here, who I'm pretty sure are not shills, have experienced- there's something to a lot of what's advocated.
(BTW- I don't mean "your" opinions, just your opinions)
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.