Bike update. The bike has now been tried on all three main routes that I like riding, including a long local rail trail with mostly gravel. The bike is perfect for it.
Interesting thing about the tires. Pathfinders 700X42 are actually a bit wider. I am measuring them at more like 700X45(46). They even appear visually beefier than 42mm.
I wanted to put slightly lighter WTB Resolutes that I have recently bought. Despite the review that says that Resolutes blow up beyond 42mm, I was not able to get them to that size. 38 is the most I am getting. I am starting to wonder if the tires I have have been mislabeled.
Any ideas why I can't get a 42 mm tire even close to it's size? I am using Continental Tour 28 tubes of the correct size.