[j102]

Hello All,
I have been riding my “All-Road” bike with Maxxis Ramblers 700x38c and it’s time to replace them. I originally put the 38s on it thinking I will be doing more gravel rides, but in reality I have been riding road most of the time.
So, I’m looking at 700x32c tires (without knobs) in an effort to gain more speed and still keep some comfort.
Of course, I’m searching for durability, high mileage use, with some flat protection.
I searched the forum but most of the threads on this topic are old.
Please advise. Thanks.

 

[cxwrench]

Conti GP5000 but as far as I know the 32mm isn't available yet. Obviously this is a highly subjective question, so bear that in mind.

 

[velodog]

Have a look see at Compass\Rene Herse tires. They're damn fine riding tires.

 

[arshak]

Soma Supple Vitesse EX-K 700c x 33 light with a Kevlar bead and good flat protection. They ride really well and corner well


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[cxwrench]

Have a look see at Compass\Rene Herse tires. They're damn fine riding tires.

Excellent tires.

 

[Finx]

Have a look see at Compass\Rene Herse tires. They're damn fine riding tires.

I also love Compass tires on the road. I have 32mm and 38mm for various purposes, and love them.

 

[Srode]

Have a look see at Compass\Rene Herse tires. They're damn fine riding tires.

This, I have a set of 35mm I use on my gravel bike for regular road use - very nice.

 

[j102]

Thanks for your responses so far. Keep them coming.
I need to take a look at the Compass tires mentioned here.

 

[changingleaf]

The Maxxis Re-fuse 32mm has such a tiny tread that's it's a good road tire and gives you a little traction in wet and has some flat protection.

 

[GlobalGuy]

Bontrager AW3 Hard-case Lite or the R3 TLR line Hard-case Lite.

 

[harryman]

Panaracer Gravel King come in a 32, Panaracer also makes the Compass and Soma tires that were previously referenced.

https://www.panaracer.com/lineup/gravel.html

 

[j102]

The Maxxis Re-fuse 32mm has such a tiny tread that's it's a good road tire and gives you a little traction in wet and has some flat protection.

I looked at the Re-Fuse but there are not too many reviews out there. I guess they are not as popular as their MTB tires.
How durable are they? How well do they roll?

 

[j102]

Panaracer Gravel King come in a 32, Panaracer also makes the Compass and Soma tires that were previously referenced.

https://www.panaracer.com/lineup/gravel.html

The Gravel Kings (non SK) are popular tires but some say they wear fast.

 

[j102]

Bontrager AW3 Hard-case Lite or the R3 TLR line Hard-case Lite.

The only thing I am not sure about is the 120 tpi.
I prefer 60 tpi for its durability compared to 120 tpi.

 

[No Time Toulouse]

The only thing I am not sure about is the 120 tpi.
I prefer 60 tpi for its durability compared to 120 tpi.

Umm,,,,you know that 120 threads per inch is gonna be more durable than 60 threads per inch, dont'cha? More than likely, the only difference is that the one has twice the fabric layers.....

 

[j102]

Umm,,,,you know that 120 threads per inch is gonna be more durable than 60 threads per inch, dont'cha? More than likely, the only difference is that the one has twice the fabric layers.....

I thought it was the other way around. 60 tpi more durable.

 

[velodog]

I thought it was the other way around. 60 tpi more durable.

It kinda depends.

How heavy are the threads used, how tightly are they woven, what is the tire construction, what are the threads(cotton, nylon, silk, other)? Typically 60 per inch are cheaper tires are heavier with thicker threads but like No Time says often 120 tpi comes from the tire construction where the fabric overlaps creating 2 layers at 120tpi maybe a 3rd wrap at 180tpi. Not always the case tho. Compass tires doesn't really advertise their thread count stating that they get their suppleness from a looser weave.

Even if a higher end tire gets it's higher thread count from adding up each wrap the thread is most highly a finer thread less tightly woven. How does the manufacturer arrive at their thread count?

But another thing that makes a cheaper tire more durable is the amount of rubber used, thicker stiffer tread.

I have found, since going to larger tires, that durability has risen. A larger contact patch distributes the weight over more of the tread causing less wear. Also the lower pressure used allows the tire to deflect and rollover the debris where as a lower volume higher pressure tire has more of a tendency to pound the debris into the tire, causing a flat.

 

[j102]

It kinda depends.

How heavy are the threads used, how tightly are they woven, what is the tire construction, what are the threads(cotton, nylon, silk, other)? Typically 60 per inch are cheaper tires are heavier with thicker threads but like No Time says often 120 tpi comes from the tire construction where the fabric overlaps creating 2 layers at 120tpi maybe a 3rd wrap at 180tpi. Not always the case tho. Compass tires doesn't really advertise their thread count stating that they get their suppleness from a looser weave.

Even if a higher end tire gets it's higher thread count from adding up each wrap the thread is most highly a finer thread less tightly woven. How does the manufacturer arrive at their thread count?

But another thing that makes a cheaper tire more durable is the amount of rubber used, thicker stiffer tread.

I have found, since going to larger tires, that durability has risen. A larger contact patch distributes the weight over more of the tread causing less wear. Also the lower pressure used allows the tire to deflect and rollover the debris where as a lower volume higher pressure tire has more of a tendency to pound the debris into the tire, causing a flat.

Thanks. Make sense. [emoji1303]
I’m going in the other direction: from 38s to 32s. Not much of a difference, but somehow going to smaller tires, with less contact area, and probably higher air pressures; thus the reason durability is part of the equation.

 

[Rogus]

I expect you're not going tubeless, but I am very pleased with my first tubeless tire experience using Hutchinson Sector 32s.

 

[GlobalGuy]

The only thing I am not sure about is the 120 tpi.
I prefer 60 tpi for its durability compared to 120 tpi.

The 120 tpi are arguably more durable on good roads than 60 tpi. One thing for sure is that IMO the 120 tpi ride nicer than the 60 tpi.