Originally Posted by
rholland1951
The Compass tires I was running have a low-profile file tread, not slicks in the conventional sense. This is designed to maximize contact surface area, one of those fractal tricks, like the coastline of Norway. Critically, they are big (55mm) and soft (30/35PSI).
Most of the road surface was well-graded, hard-packed dirt, with a little gravel. The Compass file treads were pretty much ideal for that. By way of a benchmark, this surface was MUCH BETTER than Reformatory Branch. I wouldn't have hesitated to ride it with 32s.
rod
FWIW, that is how it looked like for D2R2 and I did it on 28mm @ 80psi and saw a bunch of 'pros' on thin tires as well - they must know better than I do, right? It was a bit washboardy and I did take a couple of corners almost too fast for the conditions, but for the most part it was very ridable. Though if I could, I would've fitted 32+ to be more comfortable. Had it been freshly-graded, I'd have a much different opinion.
BTW, looks like Autumn is in full swing up there.