Which Tyres?

Lucky you! This was after my last ride which was only about 20 miles of gravel around Bromley and Croydon . That's after having a couple more in the front the previous ride

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I don't think any tyre would've survived that.... what is it?

A plug fixing the tyre. Just demonstrates why plug and road tyres don't go well together. Cut them down with a knife a bit anyway.

Yeah, cut I've them since. The fact there's two plugs there though means there's a bulge there now which is noticeable when riding.

I used to run Grand Bois in that size (with tubes), they're nice and supple.

Looks like it says "Semi Suck" on the sidewall

GK SK+ were a bitch to setup but then got around Badlands with no problems. They've since sat in a box and one day might get dragged back out and stuck on a set of wheels. #csb

Which makes them even better:)

Oh yes I see it now,i thought it was a nail or so sticking out

For tub users: 30mm FMB Paris-Roubaix Pro. Badged as Specialized. Normally £130+. £30 from Merlin Cycles. 9 left. https://www.merlincycles.com/specialized-s-works-pro-tour-classics-road-tubular-tyre-317263.html

I’ve had a pair of GKs that weren’t even round. Just saying. Worst ever tubeless experience I’ve had was Gravelkings.

Are Ramparts the best alternative in the 40+ tyre ball park?

I'm really enjoying the 44mm Mezcals I'm using right now. The closest thing to an all conditions tyre I've found but still quite quick on tarmac.

I really like Ramparts (as I keep banging on about). I've only tried 38s and 32s though. They're quick, grippy, smooth and I've not had a puncture yet after over a year of road riding and London commutes. That's with tubes. I've also only tried the Light and Supple version, not sure which one you're eyeing up. Having said that, I also like slick Gravelkings (again, very few punctures) which everyone else seems to hate .

Not completely a tyre question but I think it is: I've got a steel Bombtrack Arise 1 which is (still!) running 700c x 37mm Voyager Hypers I bought in 2018 and the ride quality (in terms of comfort, which is my priority these days) has never been great.

It's on its second pair of wheels, first pair had Archetypes, current are Kinlin XR-26RT's.

Reviews of the Arise say it's comfortable, so that only leaves the tyres, right? Does the hive mind think I'd get better comfort with slightly bigger, more premium tyres (thinking something like WTB Horizons) and if so any suggestions?

Bombtrack say max tyre size is 40mm for 700c but apparently you can fit a bit more so up to ~43mm should be safe.

What pressure are you running now?

Good question - 38psi (I'm 65kg). Think this is quite a bit lower than recommended by Vittoria.

Corsa Next

Serious? They don't go that big do they? I need something to survive the urban wasteland that is South Access Road by the council depot.

I'd drop down to 30psi to start. I find all the online calculators give high readings. I run my 650x48 at 20psi

Yes that should be low enough indeed!

Good question - 38psi (I'm 65kg). Think this is quite a bit lower than recommended by Vittoria.

Legal disclaimer, this is not tyre pressure advise, do not try at home, etc.
If these are tubeless, I'd be down at in the low 30s, maybe high 20s depending on terrain.

Also go for bigger tyres.

Wildcard, I'm starting to think I'm an uncomfortable person and starting to consider a redshift pro seatpost.

I’ve got a few pairs of these and like them. I’d say go a bit lower on pressure - I’m 82kg and run 35psi. I’d probably go lower but the front tyre gets squirmy and messes up the steering.

I’d also suggest latex tubes - the difference is really noticeable in these mid-size, kind-of-supple tyres.

Conti grand pri urban are a step up IMO. Again latex tubes, and I THINK the tan wall are more supple than the black.

I'd drop down to 30psi to start. I find all the online calculators give high readings.

Tried that, not much different tbh. I've never knowingly used a tyre pressure calculator :P

If these are tubeless, I'd be down at in the low 30s

Not tubeless although you can ghetto tubeless them. I think I tried on these rims and it didn't work (it did on my Pacentis on another bike).

Also go for bigger tyres.

I think this is part of the answer, looking at 42mm Teravail Ramparts as recommended by @ltc

I'm starting to think I'm an uncomfortable person

I've always been one, haha. Current discomfort might be exaggerated by the fact I only rode about 15 miles last month but they have always been like this, although not when I ran them ghetto tubeless.