After reading a lot of reviews I went to the C&V forum to investigate further. It was a couple guys there that actually know Jan Heine and vouched for the design, manufacturing process, and tread compound that pushed me over the edge to try them. There was some debate about them being re-branded Pasella carcasses, which was debunked when a knowledgeable member stepped in.

Lot's of those guys already ride them and claim they are even good on gravel. That's something I won't be testing with that tiny tread.