the_freewheeler

Hi All!

I'm currently building up a custom steel cross fame, Humble Frameworks of Chicago, and feel that I have everything really well tuned in for off-road use, with Chris King disc hubs laced to H+Son Archetype clincher rims and 32mm Clement MSO 120tpi tires. I'm trying to hone in on the best alternate tire to use for predominantly road/touring use. I feel that I have it narrowed down pretty well:

• Clement Strada LGG - 120tpi/28mm/290g
• Challenge Parigi Roubaix - 300tpi/27c/285g
• Clement Strada Bianca - 260tpi/30mm/355g
• Panracer Pasela - 66tpi//32mm/390g - not Pasela TG

My concerns are mainly ride quality, dependability, road "speed" and best bang for your buck. Not opposed to gum sidewalls, etc and max tire size is 32mm. I do not have experience with any of these tires, so would like input on personal recommendations or even other tires to throw into the ring.



Thanks!

IcySmooth52

I haven't ridden all those tires, but for speed the Clement & Challenge would probably be fastest.

tarwheel 

I would add Panaracer Gravel King 28s to your list. They measure 29 mm wide on my Velocity Dyad rims. They weigh only 270 g, roll very nicely and can be bought for about $30 each if you shop around.

Of the tires you listed, I have tried only the Pasela PTs in 28s and 32s. Paselas are great tires for the money but seem to have higher rolling resistance than many other tires I have used. However, they last a long time and have good flat resistance.

I have not used the Clement tires that you listed, but have had great experiences with other Clement brands. I run Clement LAS 33s on my touring bike when riding on unpaved roads and trails, including a 400-mile tour from Pittsburgh to Washington DC on the GAP-C&O Canal trails. I wouldn't hesitate to buy other tires from them, and have been considering trying some of the Strada 28s.

justin1138

I have a pair of Clement LGG's (tanwall, 25mm) on my road bike. Already a fan of Clement's cross tires, I figured I'd give the road variety a shot. So far so good with about 1000-1500 miles of use. I haven't ridden the other tires on your list, but they all look pretty nice.

bbbean 

My Clement X'plor USH are the best all around gravel/road tires I've ever used. Suitable for any surface short of deep mud, snow, or sand. I have 500-600 miles (75% gravel/sand/mud) on mine, and the tread still looks like new. Inflate them to 60 lbs, and teh center rib makes them ride like a dream on teh road. No problems using them for training rides if my road bike isn't available.

BB

jtbadge

I don't think you'll have a problem using the MSO for everything. I do like the Stradas a lot, though - especially in a tan wall.

CBBaron

Love my Compass Barlow Pass for pavement and nice (not knarly) gravel. Very comfortable and fast. Those are 38mm but Compass also makes Stampede Pass which are the same tires in 32mm if you can't handle the fatties

fietsbob

other .. slick about 32 wide.. as to your poll Meh ..

bwilli88 

Not tried the others but Panaracer Tour guard plus works for me over here in Cambodia I also have some cheap Kenda Kwick tires in 35mm that work on my road bike for most anytype of road from gravel to tarmac to light mud to dusty pebbly dirt.

the_freewheeler

Thank you, everyone for the comments! Keep them coming.

It's looking a little bit like I'm dropping the gun a little prematurely on road tires, when I haven't even yet had the chance to put the MSO's through their proper paces. If, at that point, I feel them a bit lacking on smooth roads and am happy with Clement, I may go with the LGG's.

You mean the Sammy Slicks? I honestly ruled out any Schwalbe tire from day 1 because I've never heard a good thing about any of their tires (but never ridden one myself). Also, the sammy slicks are a true gravel tire, which is not what I'm after for these road "back-ups."

If you're referring to the Thickslicks, I think those are dreadfully heavy for what you get.

fietsbob

No, most brands will have a smooth tread model , try a few, form a product opinion independently..

Barrettscv 

I lived in the city of Chicago from 1993 to 2015 and I have the following tires installed on bikes that are used often;

700x27 Challenge Parigi Roubaix (measures 30mm wide)
700x32 Compass Stamped Pass (measures 31.5mm wide)
700x32 Vittoria Voyager Hyper (measures 33mm wide)

The Challenge Parigi Roubaix has an ultra smooth and fast ride and is very light for it's size. It is venerable to flats and is not in anyway robust. I don't recommend it for city streets.

The Compass Stampeded Pass has an vey smooth and fast ride and is very light for it's size. It is probably venerable to flats (none so far) and is semi-durable. I don't recommend it for city streets.

The Vittoria Voyager Hyper has an very smooth and fast ride and is very light for it's size. It is very flat resistant (none after 2500 miles) and is very tough and durable. I recommend it for city streets.

If you don't like the reflective strip on the Vittoria Voyager Hyper (a great feature in the city, BTW) consider the 700x28 Panaracer GravelKing. It is light and fast but twice as tough and durable as the Challenge Parigi Roubaix or Compass Stampeded Pass.

the_freewheeler

Sorry, I was referring to Schwalbe specifically. Everybody I know that has purchased a bike with stock Schwalbes immediately changed them because of constant flats, etc.

Which smooth tread model were you referring to though?

fietsbob

go shopping in a bike shop ?? here the LBS has several Brands, name dropping : bontrager, schwalbe(how about Kojak?)
continental ..

I run Schwalbe marathon plus tires 349, 406, 559, 622.

here the gravel is all logging roads on steep slopes.. I dont go there..

and people ride pavement or mountain bikes.. single track ..

the_freewheeler

Thank you for all of the great info. I, too, live in Chicago, but will be moving down south soon (which is why I'm looking for a good flat tire that can be used without too many worries on dirt roads, etc.)

Your comments on the Parigi Roubaix are quite shocking, to be honest. I've had issues with a few different tires up here in the city and assumed that based on my experience these tires could handle it.

I'll check out the Vittorias, but am hesitant on Panracers because of their low TPI

the_freewheeler

Got it, sorry. Just thought/misunderstood that you had been trying to refer to something specifically the whole time.

CliffordK

I haven't had a lot of experience with my X'Plor USH, but so far it has done well.

If I was doing a road only tire, I'd look for something with significant flat protection. Gator Hardshell, Armadillo, etc.

BluesDawg

I would add the Specialized Roubaix Pro 30/32 tires to the list. These come standard on the higher spec Diverge models and I have been using them for about 5 months on my custom anyroad Zukas. Smooth rolling, rugged and supple feel at a decent weight. Soon they will be releasing a tubeless ready version which I plan to try.

NormanF

Schwalbe Kojaks roll fast for a 35 c tire!

I wouldn't take them off road but for city rides, they're a great slick.

bikebreak

conti GP4000S II in 28mm, they measure 30mm on 17mm inner width rims.
lighter than all your listed options

the_freewheeler

very good suggestion...thanks!

Jiggle

On my 17mm i.d. rims, the Parigi Roubaix is about 30mm and Strada Bianca is 33mm.

I vote Parigi Roubaix.

09box

From everything I've read, the Panaracer Gravelkings seem to be a great value.

Dilberto

Clement LAS is what OP is really seeking. I exhaustively tried them ALL(I'm an LBS owner) and the LAS pumped to 60-75psi for road and 45psi for gravel and dirt is simply unreal. The only thing the LAS cannot do....is go tubeless(been there/done that). Save your Stans....

The following come-in a close second:
~ Kenda Happy Medium 700c x 32
~ Continental Cyclocross Speed 700c x 35
~ Vittoria Cross XN 700c x 32
~ Panaracer Gravel King 700c x 32
~ Schwalbe CX Comp 700c x 35

jsigone

I'd second the happy mediums tubeless and run different PSI per what your riding. 60-70psi on road pending weight and sub 50 for dirt/grass. Middle ground for both on same day.

With the kenda I can ride 20-25mph on pave pedaling top end speed, 40+ downhills and air down for singletracks and loose dirt here in socal. Not much "gravel" but goes from sand to fist sized rocks quick.

If I'm doing mostly roadie style, than I'll put on some Conti GP2 25c (measure 27.5mm on my stans400s) slicks and ride it in dirt if need be. Just watch out for cutting the side walls. Hell I'd ride in that mess on my racing road bike

Beware of the mine fields at #lakehodges #bwr #training by jsig1, on Flickr