View Single Post
Old 07-18-16 | 12:48 PM
  #10  
Dfrost's Avatar
Dfrost
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 549
From: Pacific Northwest

Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione

I've been using Compass or the very similar Grand Bois tires for about a decade in 26, 28, and 32mm sizes, on a variety of bikes, mostly on a pavement with brief gravel exposures. Obviously I'm very pleased with them. No more flats than any other tire in my 25 years' experience, and no sidewall cuts or dry-out, unlike the brown wall Conti Grand Prix of old. I consistently get 4500-5000 miles out of a tire (mounted in front new, then moved to the rear when that one is ready to be replaced). I really like their nice ride, steering effect, and low real-world rolling resistance, based on multiple Bicycle Quarterly tests. (Please don't turn this into a Jan Heine love/hate fest. I'm neither.) My previous faves were Panaracer-built Rolly-Poly's, I've had or tried Pasela TG, Gravel King and T-Serv, which are quite similar to each other, and the GB/Compass are distinctly nicer all around. I'm strongly biased toward tan sidewalls on my bikes (wife's are better with black), and only use folding bead tires.

All that said, I have experienced a few quality issues, and might try the similar weight but cheaper Soma Vitesse tires some day that are also Panaracer-built.

To the OP, I've sent you a PM about a pair of Cayuse Pass tires FS.

Last edited by Dfrost; 07-18-16 at 12:56 PM.
Dfrost is offline  
Reply