Which Tyres?

I had pretty bad luck with my Cypres. Loads of flats across every type of terrain. (Even with regular cleaning and pulling it all the glass/stone fragments).

I'm tempted to give Bon Jon Pass Extralight a try in Spring. I'm hoping the 'blue label' compass are a little more durable.

I've been tempted by those but worry it'll be an expensive flat-fest. Could run them tubeless I guess... Might just end up covered in sealant though...

I did run them tubeless for a while. Everything got covered in sealant...

Maybe I'll save my money and stick with Paselas until I can afford to move to the Cascades...

If your tyre brand is made in Japan please place them in the bin.

Lion Tyre Thailand make the best tyres in the world for big brands outside FMB/Dugast boutique stuff.

Big brands... Such as?

Vittoria Challenge Specialized Veloflex Clement

Interesting.

I can see the logic of the bon jon, it looks a good balance.

I'd love to be able to test ride these tires somewhere. Experiments in this market are expensive.

Before I went tubeless the punctures I got were very very tiny holes in the tube from embedded flint/glass. If I get the compass I'd be tempted to put a bit of Stan's in the tubes.

As you say it can be an expensive experiment.

I have Vittoria Voyager Hypers (folding) for winter and they are ok. Marathon Supremes were out of stock when I needed them and they were only £12 each on Planet X. Grippy and not too heavy, a long away off the ride quality of the GB though...

I see what you mean!

If your tyre brand is made in Japan please place them in the bin.

Does not compute, the Grand Bois/Compass were made in Japan...

I'd love to be able to test ride these tires somewhere. Experiments in this market are expensive.

I'm thinking of getting the Compass 38mm tyres for my new SSCX, so might be able to loan it to you to try out.

and Schwalbe

#schwalbe4lyf

all schwalbe is made in indonesia, even the tubulars

I've had them for nearly a year, commuting mainly but some long rides including Rapha's Hell of the North and they've been great. They're starting to get more puncture prone but are still pretty good. Pari Roubaix on the other hand are rubbish.

Tub version punctures under 1k miles ..

guy in bikeshop is riding compass 38mm, made by Panasonic apparently - he rates them

How are you finding the Vittorias? I have them in 32mm - keep locking up the rear for some reason, but more likely my fault than the tyre! Pretty light for the size and not getting many flats despite my insistence on riding them on unsuitable terrain. Just the one puncture from a big ol' nail.

I've not noticed them being skidder than normal.

They are pretty unremarkable really (both in a good way and bad way).

made by Panasonic apparently...

...whom own Panaracer.

I'd guess so, yes, so decent enough then?

I rated the Grand Bois/Compass highly, more than the Vittoria and Challenge even.

I also just realised I never got punctured in 2015 with the Grand Bois Hetres, huh.

Vittoria Challenge Specialized Veloflex Clement

Veloflex are made in italy in the vacated vittoria factory, when vittoria they moved to thailand.
Challenge took over from Clement/Pirelli when they stopped making bike tyres (in Thailand) in the 90s.
the new Clement is not related to Challenge, and their tyres are made in Taiwan.

#tyrebuyer

I really like my Challenge Criteriums. They are too puncture prone for long rides into the wilds of Hertfordshire but great for Herne Hill and have lasted longer than I was expecting. The build quality isn't perfect, nearly but not quite, but they're great to ride.