Lack Of Jack (Greens) - Need some tire options feedback

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Cyclofiend Jim

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Dec 21, 2025, 1:51:28 PM (yesterday) Dec 21
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I've been running Jack Brown Greens since they came out on my Hilsen and Quickbeam.

The 33 1/3 size has been great - keeps me alert on the trails and happy on smooth stuff. I don't feel the need to go to a larger volume tire, but have the frame clearance to add a bit if that's necessary.

JB (Greens) have been non-existent on the Rivbike site for a while, and I finally ground my last one down to the threads. My Hilsen is shoeless until I deal with this...

So, I've been looking at the Soma Shikoro, which sound very JB-ish. However, the text says they run a bit narrow than stated, so I'm considering going from 33 to the 38 to have the JB cushiness.
https://www.rivbike.com/products/soma-shikoro-tires

then I just noticed the Hutchinson Caracals - 
https://www.rivbike.com/products/hutchinson-caracal-tires-700c
which may be closer to what I'm used to, size-wise. Reckon I'd get the 35's. 
And any tire that Mark uses is a major plus in my book... 

While I don't feel I need the knobs, they do remind me of some of the CX tires I used to run. (I'm around 185#'s and ride fairly light on most days). To be used on Bay Area roads, trails, singletrack, and fire roads. 

Has anyone used these and feel like sharing their experiences? 

Thanks in advance. 

Jim

Jeff Bogdanovich

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Dec 21, 2025, 2:41:40 PM (yesterday) Dec 21
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Patrick Moore

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Dec 21, 2025, 3:48:04 PM (yesterday) Dec 21
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I’ve been very happy with my RH Stampede Passes (ELs) which measure a true 32 mm on my 24 mm OW Velocity rims, and I’d not hesitate to ride them on firm dirt or grave.

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Patrick Moore

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Dec 21, 2025, 3:50:37 PM (yesterday) Dec 21
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Let me change the conditional mood to the indicative past: I did not hesitate to ride them on firm dirt or gravel.

Jason Fuller

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Dec 21, 2025, 8:10:13 PM (21 hours ago) Dec 21
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At one time, the Jack Browns were among a pretty small number of candidate tires in this size, but today there is so much variety available.  Some of the knobby options are remarkably quick and quiet as well, though not as quiet as slicks of course. For example the Schwalble G-One Allround comes in 622x35 and as far as I know they run a smidge small, so probably right on the money. They are impressively quick, and grippy on the looser stuff. I'm also a fan of the Rene Herse offerings, though I tend to stick to the Endurance casing these days for peace of mind.  I found the Shikoro to ride a little less supple, but they have a thicker tread than the RH so will probably last a long time. 

No experience with the Hutchinson but they do look like a pretty good middle ground, perhaps just enough side tread to make them slide a little more predictably, if you find yourself in that predicament. I'd be curious to hear how they are! 


Cyclofiend Jim

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Dec 21, 2025, 8:43:16 PM (20 hours ago) Dec 21
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Thanks Jason - I appreciate the direct experience with the Shikoro. 

Yeah - we live in a time of riches for chubby road-ish tires these days. I do tend to like the smoother sound of slicks, which is why that center tread caught my eye. I'm pretty used to their performance on trails as well. 

Nick Payne

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5:38 AM (11 hours ago) 5:38 AM
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I've been riding Continental GP Urban 35mm for several years, and they ride nicely and last pretty well. After a few weeks in use, they stretch out to almost exactly 35mm wide on the Light Bicycle AR28 (22mm internal width) rims I have them mounted on.


Nick Payne

Drew Fitchette

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8:19 AM (9 hours ago) 8:19 AM
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I’ll second Jason’s mention about of the G-one’s. I’ve not found a better tire for my riding on mixed surfaces and have run them on two different bikes now. They kind of do what I wanted the RH knobbies to do. 

Also curious about the Hutchinson tires, and would love to hear reviews if anyone on the list gets some!

Jim in Mpls

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10:11 AM (7 hours ago) 10:11 AM
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