Hetre 650B
Nominal size: 584 x 42 mm (650B)
Width (on 25 mm Mavic Criterium rims): 42 mm
Weight: Sample 1: 392 g; Sample 2: 426 g
Thickness (casing + tread): 3.8 mm
Max. pressure rating: 5.2 bar (75 psi)
Test pressure: 3.8 (55 psi)
Test distance: 500 km (320 miles)
Test bike: 1952 Jo Routens, 2006 Kogswell P/R prototype
Price: $ 60 ($ 55 for 4 or more)
Country of manufacture: Japan
Availability: Bicycle shops, Vintage Bicycle Press
The Grand Bois “Hetre” is a replica of a classic lightweight “650B Demi-Baloon” tire. At a full 42 mm wide, these tires are very large. The tread consists of longitudinal lines. The version tested used a red tread, but future versions will have a black tread. The shock absorption of these tires is far superior to any other I have ridden. Expansion joints or rough roads no longer upset the bike, and the bike carries its speed much better over rough roads. Gaps in the pavement and even streetcar tracks no longer pose a serious threat, allowing the rider to concentrate on traffic or simply to enjoy the ride. Off-pavement, these tires provide a generous margin of safety even on bumpy and rocky roads. The bike feels fast with these tires, and this is confirmed in our real-road performance tests. Like the narrower Grand Bois tires, the Hetres are among the fastest tires available today, with the exception of the extremely fast hand-made tires. The Hetres offer excellent cornering grip, and the improved shock absorption is a great benefit in bumpy corners. On wet roads, the red tread cornered as well as any tire I have ridden. The Hetre tires confirm that wider tires can be as fast or faster than narrower tires. Despite having 1 mm more tread than the narrower Grand Bois tires and a coarser tread pattern, they roll roughly as fast as the other Grand Bois tires. Once the ribs in the tread are worn down a bit and the tread is thinner, I expect these tires to be faster than most.