Good compromise between a Marathon and a Hetre? Is it the Soma Xpress 650b?

[Michael]

A good halfway compromise between these two extremes, do ya think, for those who know about this 650b stuff?

Fast-ish, light-ish, puncture protected-ish?

http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/t106-10118.htm

Is it the same tread as a Pasela?

Pasela doesn't come in 650b, right?

[Matthew J]

This was the final tire I used before selling my 650B.  I liked it.  Not quite as smooth as the Hetre but possible a bit more fast.  Mine did not flat in around 600 miles road riding.

[Ron Mc]

It's a Pasela - good tire.  

[Lynne Fitz]

I have been riding them since, um,,, June?  In any case, about 1500 miles, no flats

[Marc Irwin]

I've been riding on them for a few years now.  I really like them.  They are lighter and faster than most Schwalbe choices, I don't have any experience with the Hetres.  They are a Pasela TG with beefed up sidewalls to prevent snakebites.  I have have been through two sets of them and had one flat after the tread was really worn on the first rear tire.  I like the look, the speed and the cushy feel they have.

Marc

[Tom Virgil]

Hi Marc,

What tire pressure are you using to get the "speed and cushy feel"?  Actually that might depend of 'the weight of bike and rider, so maybe I should not ask it in that manner.  I understand from Bicycle Quarterly that achieving a 15% drop when mounted is ideal.  Never figured out how to measure that, though.  Kinda hard to measure the height of your bike when you are in a full stationary track stand.

I looked at Grand Bois Extra Leger 42mm 650b, but those are even lighter than the standard Hetres.  I would fear undue sidewall damage.  I might try the Soma.

Regards,

Tom

[Matthew J]

Apples to grapefruits obviously, but I have had surprisingly good luck with the GB EL 700C 30s.  4 months on my road bike so far and no flats riding all over the Chicago area.

[John L]

I love my b-lines.

[hsmitham]

Lynne, what kind of riding?

[Michael Hechmer]

I have not ridden any of the tires discussed, but it seems a stretch to compare a 41 mm tire with a 35 mm tire.  I have ridden paellas and they are a great, durable commuting tire but I never experienced them as fast.

Michael

On Thursday, December 5, 2013 1:43:51 AM UTC-5, Michael wrote:

[Tim Gavin]

I ride GB Lierre tires, 650x38b.  My Riv can't fit Hetres, so I went with the next biggest.  They're excellent tires, and I've had only one flat in about 1000 miles (tiny glass sliver, patched the tube).

They feel "speedy and cushy" at about 70 psi front and 80 psi rear.

I'll try the Soma B-line/Xpress next.

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[Marc Irwin]

I run them around 70psi most of the time.  They max at 75 I believe.

Marc

[ted]

[Lynne Fitz]

Randonneur.  All those miles are from brevets and perms.  Pavement, chip seal, some gravel and dirt.  Includes some urban miles.

[Hugh Smitham]

Thanks Lynne, Good to know...my Hetres went where they shouldn't have.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Eistein

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[dougP]

Hugh:

Sometimes it's sheer blind luck.  Recall my slip'n'sliding around the San Bernardino Mtns on well worn Vittoria Rando Hypers with not even a pinch flat.  Then slicing to the chord a nearly new Schwalbe Marathon Supreme at Moro Bay, a tire that hadn't seen any dirt, let alone rocks.  Weird things happen to tires.  I will concur that Hetres seem a bit light off-road though. 

dougP

[Hugh Smitham]

Sometimes luck happens in both directions, the Hetres are really intended for a very narrow use which as I said previously I pushed that boundary so I won't be going to them again. And David if your reading this I'll get with you about them.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Eistein

[Coconutbill]

The tread is the same as a pasela, but  the tire is a bit fatter on a Soma B-line.

It seems that the SomaXpress has a bit more tread and has an extra layer of protection.

The B-lines are super light, easy to take on and off, and honestly hardly get flats. I've taken them on sandy, rocky, and muddy trails (in addition to lots of road), and been really satisfied.  

[Mike Schiller]

of course many of us have used Hetres in the same conditions and never had an issue Evan.  I'll take my chances to be able enjoy the speed and plushness of the Hetres.  

~mike

[Hugh Smitham]

Mike your tempting the tire gods.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

On Thu, Dec 12, 2013 at 10:09 AM, Mike Schiller <mikey...@rocketmail.com> wrote:

of course many of us have used Hetres in the same conditions and never had an issue Evan.  I'll take my chances to be able enjoy the speed and plushness of the Hetres.  

~mike

[Coconutbill]

Since I have no experience with Hetres. never riden them, I have no opinion in the matter.

My only experience with boutique tires are these Somas, and they are great!

[NickBull]

I've ridden the Soma B-lines, the version that has no flat protection, for about 1000 miles of randonneuring and then they went to my wife who has ridden them for probably about 2000 miles of commuting.  Between us we've had one flat (in the rain, of course).  They are a fine tire but definitely not as nice as Hetre's for long distance.

Nick

On Thursday, December 5, 2013 1:43:51 AM UTC-5, Michael wrote: