Grand Bois Extra Léger tires

[fiamme red]

Some impressively light weights for wider tires:

http://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/a-full-line-of-extra-leger-tires/

Grand Bois has released additional models to offer a full line of Extra Léger (EL) tires. The following sizes are available:

700C x 23 mm (Col de la Madeleine EL), 181 g.
700C x 26 mm (Cerf Blue EL), 176 g.
700C x 29 mm (Cerf Green EL), 221 g.
700C x 32 mm (Cyprès 700 EL), 232 g.
650B x 32 mm (Cyprès 650 EL), 261 g.
650B x 42 mm (Hetre Black EL), 357 g.I don't understand why the 26 mm tire would weigh less than the 23 mm.

I'd love to try these, but they're out of my price range.

[donevwil]

I haven't tried the EL either, but have you tried the standard Grand Bois (non-Extra Léger) ? I've been running the Cypres for three months and my wife the Cerf 26s for a month. They are a revelation, comfort of a big tire with the weight and handling of a smaller tire.

[sparky33]

I have used the 700x28, 700x32 and 650bx42 Extra Leger tires. It appears I have a tire fetish.

The Extra Legers are marginally smoother than the ordinary Grand Bois tires, which are very nice to begin with... not measurably faster, but they feel a tick smoother on the road, just a bit. The EL sidewalls feel quite delicate/supple in the hand but have survived the substandard roads I travel. I don't see myself riding regular GB tires any time soon.

[rain dogs]

how is the puncture protection on those tires?

[VA-Scooter]

I have a few thousand miles on 700 x 32 EL--One of the most impressive things I have ever put on a bicycle. Fast,solid smooth-Just feel great. Probably not as puncture resistant as most tires but WOW do they feel good on a fast descent. At about 80 PSi they just inspire confidence on the down hills.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I've used the Hetre and 700c Cypres in regular flavor and they are, indeed, amazing tires. I'm building up a custom 650b machine and was going to get the EL Hetres, but I've heard form a couple riders that the sidewalls are just too supple and that you have to use a higher psi that negates a bit of the comfort. This is from 200lb+ riders, so maybe the ELs are best for the more slender among us.

[sparky33]

I've heard form a couple riders that the sidewalls are just too supple and that you have to use a higher psi that negates a bit of the comfort. This is from 200lb+ riders, so maybe the ELs are best for the more slender among us.

This is plausible. You should try it anyway and let us know. What's another set of tires when you are already in the world of bespoke bike pricing ; )

[ColonelJLloyd]

I was ready to order a set for my road bike (26 front, 29 rear), but now that the ELs are available in those sizes I may do that.

[donevwil]

I have a few thousand miles on 700 x 32 EL... At about 80 PSi they just inspire confidence on the down hills.

Interesting, I'm 225 and run the regular cypres at 70 and may go lower.

[jimmythefly]

Some impressively light weights for wider tires:

http://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/a-full-line-of-extra-leger-tires/

I don't understand why the 26 mm tire would weigh less than the 23 mm.

I'd love to try these, but they're out of my price range.


Those are the actual weights – you are right, they are sample variations. The 23 mm tires generally aren’t much lighter than the 26 mm tires. With a tire that thin, much of the weight is in the beads and other parts that don’t scale with width…

.

[VA-Scooter]

Interesting, I'm 225 and run the regular cypres at 70 and may go lower.

Somewhere I read that with the supple casing you could run the EL at a little higher pressure & still get that great ride. To be honest they felt so great at 80 PSI that I have not even tried higher or lower--Might try a bit lower though.

[CNY rider]

I have the 700X29 on my Goodrich. The ride is really great.
I got the 700X23 EL and put them on my Hampsten which also rode great with Pro Race 700 X 25 on it. Can't say I see much of a difference.
They are great tires but for real plush ride I would get at least 26 mm and probably would stick with 29 mm.

[danielpack22@ma]

I've been running the 700C x 32 mm (Cyprès 700 EL) since April and I love them. I used them in a 12 hour race on rough roads and really appreciated the improved comfort/cushion of the wider tire.

For me, I felt a real step up in comfort and speed when I switched from the standard gran bois tires. Of course that could just be in my head. :p

[summilux]

And amazingly, you can run them tubeless for extra goodness. They were out of stock for quite a while and I can't wait to get mine. Not sure if I am brave enough to do tubeless though.

[mossman]

And amazingly, you can run them tubeless for extra goodness. They were out of stock for quite a while and I can't wait to get mine. Not sure if I am brave enough to do tubeless though.

which size?
that would apply to the fat 650b, right?

I ride the 622-32 regular cypres at about 60psi (160lbs rider weight) and they are exceptional.

I'd like to try the EL version, but I'm holding out for the all-black EL tires to make an appearance again.

[Dustin]

I'd like to set some 32mm ones up tubeless, but not sure how they'd ride at sufficiently low pressures. Wonder what would work--maybe 50psi?