Rock n' Road Tires on a Sam Hillborne

[greenteadrinkers]

Hello, I've been a lurker for a good bit, my name's Scott.

In the process of spec'd out a build for a 2019 Sam that I picked up from a list member recently.

Wanted to know if anyone had any experience running Bruce Gordon Rock n' Road tires on a Hillborne? 

Pro's, Con's? 

Will be riding gravel roads, roads, and hopefully trails.

Thanks!

Scott

[Eric Myers]

Can I piggy back on this?  I just swapped some Soma Cazaderos back onto my Sam and noticed one of them has some damage to a sidewall, so I'm looking for replacement comparisons.  I ride 90% on pavement, but really enjoyed the Cazaderos when I rode them last summer and fall; I liked the lowish air pressure, supple walls, and how they rode on pavement compared to other treaded tires.  Is there someone with experience who can compare them to other similar tires?  I was looking at the Bruce Gordon Rock n' Road and the Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass as possible alternatives.  All are similar in size: 700c x 42-44.  Attaching a photo of sidewall damage, that's a thread that has come out of the tire.

Thanks,

Eric

[Timothy Hurley]

I had them in my Sam for a while. They where great, I only changed them because I impulsively swap tires. I could not fit fenders with them, btw.

[greenteadrinkers]

Funnily enough, I'm also thinking about Snoqualmie Pass as an option. Currently on my SimpleOne, I'm riding a pair of tubeless Compass Hurricane Ridges, mounted on Cliffhangers. Can't complain, other than $$$ :) Gotta say, the SimpleOne is amazing, I get the vibe its totally underrated, but, it's a total ripper with the right wheel set. Too bad it has only around for, I think, one year. Kept light with minimal or no racks and the rest of the jazz, it's one hell of an excellent ride.

[greenteadrinkers]

Tim, thanks for the input!, did you chance ride the Rock n' Roads tubeless? According to the existing page, tubeless is recommended, but, legally not sanctioned.

[j.schwartz]

I had them on my 1st generation Hillborne which has less clearance than yours.    and ran them with SKS fenders 

These are old pics from 2014.

I still have the tires on my SimpleOne.  They are great.  maybe not as supple as RH but plenty for anyone and quite light.

[Reid Echols]

Gravelking SK for my money—my Rock n Roads looked pretty but were noticeably slower/louder on anything resembling pavement.

Reid in Austin

[Mark Roland]

I found the Rock n Roads to be more capable in moderate mud and trail  than the Gravelking SK. The RnR tread is more like the RH Steilacoom, whereas the SK is probably more akin to a Thunder Burt tread--has a bit of bite, but looses it quicker on the rougher stuff. I'm usually not in a particular hurry, but I don't like to feel bogged down by rubber. I find all four tires fast enough on pavement, none have that riding in soft asphalt feeling. (I only have the TB in 26" and more recently 650B, the other 3 all 700C. I think the RnR are underrated. They are a bit heavier, perhaps, but I like the rubber compound. I'm building a wheelset with them in mind, to go on my BG Hikari. Only fitting.

[Timothy Hurley]

I did not run them tubeless. And to be specific it was VO fenders that I couldn’t fit with the RnR’s. And they where indeed loud on pavement.

[Chris L]

Love the flat black paint/powder job!  I want that for my Hunqapillar.

[greenteadrinkers]

I want a Hunqapillar!

[Carla Waugh]

I had them on my 700c Sam but not tubeless. I still have them and they have very low mileage. If you want them let me know where you live and you can send me postage and try them out.

[Damien]

Currently have them on my 51 Sam.

They're a bit loud on pavement but don't really feel that slow, and I certainly don't mind it. They've been great on trails, singletrack and gravel. I'd recommend them.

I have also had Snoqualmie Pass' on another bike of mine and they rode soooo nice. Surprisingly comfy on gravel, but they're definitely a smooth tread so keep that in mind if you need some bite. I always worried about puncturing or flatting, but it never happened once.