Your favorite 700x 32-35 slick tire

[stephenmarklay]

I want to get a lighter more supple tire in the 32-35 actual size. Something reasonably durable with some puncture protection.


I have looked at the conti 5000 and grand prix urban 35c.

Thoughts?

[AngryScientist]

compass bon jovi's are the best in class.

[doomridesout]

Panaracer Gravelking is always a good choice. Bon Jon Pass are better as the Scientist says, but spendy.

[stev0]

Endorsing the gravelking as well, but haven't tried the Bon Jon Pass - are the extralight version as good as the normal ones?

[Epicus07]

+1 on the Bon Jons

[stephenmarklay]

How wide are the Bon Jons installed and how durable are they? Also how wide is Barlow pass installed?

[jtbadge]

When you can find GravelKings for $30-ish a pop, it's really hard to justify spending 2-3x on other tires.

[Duende]

Bon Jon’s are great! EL version not the most durable and do stretch. Probably the regular weight version would be ideal.

[Pinned]

The Gravelking is the absolute best tire in this class in all regards - it's light, it rolls fast, it grips well, it doesn't puncture easily, and it sets up easily tubeless. Beyond that, they last longer than a "race" tire and cost $35 or so.

The Compass, on the other hand, was among the worst I've run - tossed them after 800 miles. I hate to be negative about a small brand, but I don't understand the love for them.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by Pinned

The Gravelking is the absolute best tire in this class in all regards - it's light, it rolls fast, it grips well, it doesn't puncture easily, and it sets up easily tubeless. Beyond that, they last longer than a "race" tire and cost $35 or so.

The Compass, on the other hand, was among the worst I've run - tossed them after 800 miles. I hate to be negative about a small brand, but I don't understand the love for them.

perhaps you should substantiate your experience with the compass tires with some actual reasoning. "among the worst i've run" really doesnt tell the reader anything at all, other than that you disliked them.

i would agree that the gravel king is an excellent tire, and an excellent value, but i also believe, as most others who have tried both, that the compass tires feel and ride nicer. what is it that you didnt like about them?

[doomridesout]

Some minority of people do have a serious problem with flatting Compass tires, and there have been QC problems relating to tubeless. Many other people report no significant issues and the ride quality is truly a cut above.

Gravelkings are really an amazing combo of good qualities. Very incrementally slower and less magic-carpet-like than the Compass (Rene Herse) tires, but apparently more reliable in multiple respects, and approximately half price.

[AngryScientist]

agree.

to be clear, i know some people have had good luck in this application, but i dont think the compass slick tire offerings, like the bon jons are a good choice for chunky gravel. their thin, supple sidewalls and non-meaty treads are what make them ride so nicely, but are certainly not ideal for guarding against punctures.

for predominantly road and smooth well groomed dirt and crushed stone type "gravel" they are excellent.

i would guess that people who have had major issues with flatting and durability have maybe asked a little too much from such a supple thin tire.

i have no experience setting them up tubeless either.

[stephenmarklay]

Thank you all!

I guess tire threads are like oil threads on automotive forums

But I will consider both of these options

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by stephenmarklay

Thank you all!

I guess tire threads are like oil threads on automotive forums

But I will consider both of these options

Castrol. Always Castrol.

[zambenini]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

compass bon jovi's are the best in class.

I take credit for coining that nickname, but it's not in the OED earliest usage lexicons, so we'll never know.

Angry is correct, they rule. I had a great experience with Rivendell Jack Browns, too, and they are that much cheaper than the BJPs.