Soma Supple Vitesse SL / I'm done with Compass.

50 replies · 9,767 views

Volsung
878 posts
#41Aug 18, 2018, 7:25 PM
Thanks. I may try the new 55mm Compasses next year. I think the Somas will last long enough before the studs need to go back on.

Definitely going to have someone else mount them while I wait outside with my fingers in my ears though.
0
widerisfaster
253 posts
#42Sep 16, 2018, 7:55 PM
Volsung wrote:
EX version update-

has anyone compared black wall Compasses to tan walls? Are the blacks less porous and have better air retention?

I have the Black Extralight Bon Jon Pass 35C set up tubeless with Stans sealant. The sidewalls weeped a little when initially set up by the LBS, there were tiny dots of white sealant in a diamond pattern on the sidewalls. One tyre blew off the Giant wheel rim overnight on the first day. I had the LBS rotate and re-mount it and they were good for 1500km. I then upgraded to a new bike with new Light Bicycle hookless wheels and the LBS mounted the tyres. I was concerned they may have stretched from unmount and remount, but today I ticked over 1000km on the new bike and I've had no issues.

So I have 2500km on the tyres, there is some centre wear on one, while the other still has some file tread in the middle. I did 7000km on my Compass 28C on my road bike, and these BJP tyres look like lasting that long too. I weigh 80kg.
0
imwjl
304 posts
#43Sep 17, 2018, 7:07 AM
They're all light tires and as said, made or likely made by same factories. I don't have faith in any tires with light weight construction when reliability is the goal or at least very important.
0
bobknh
794 posts
#44Sep 17, 2018, 7:45 AM
No science here, but several thousand miles on Compass Bon Jon's both tubed and tubeless. My riding is mostly on paved and unpaved town roads in southern NH where the unpaved town roads are regularly graded and repaired. At the beginning of this season I switched to Schwalbe G-one Allrounds. I also use GK's on my backup gravel bike. While our unpaved roads are maintained, their condition is often unpredictable. Particularly with the increased rain this summer. Washboard, erosion, chunky gravel patches, sections of lose sand and dirt or freshly graded dirt and mud.
I've already commented earlier about the difficulty in tubeless mounting of Compass tires. If you want to go tubeless, then I would recommend a "Tubeless Ready" tire like the GK or G-ones. I'll confess however, after mastering tubeless tech., I've decided to use switch back to tubes. I found that the hassle of tubeless maintenance just wasn't worth it for the type of riding I do.
One factor about Compass tires, is their smooth tread pattern. Both by GK's and G-Ones have small stud patterns. The GK's have more aggressive studs on the edges for cornering. Despite J H's claims that wide supple smooth tires are equally effective on soft slippery surfaces, I have found that I get much better bite and traction with both my GK's and G-ones. Every time I hit some lose dirt or freshly graded road, I'm very glad I replaced my Compass tires.
0
pushstart
181 posts
#45Sep 17, 2018, 8:05 AM
I definitely agree with @bobknh on the traction. I've ridden some gravel on the BPs -- fairly good quality, but a few loose sections -- and the Compass tires always slide around noticeably more than the G-One tires even running at pretty low gravel pressures. The G-One tires respond well to lowering pressure -- traction is greatly increased. While they're not mud tires, I've found that with low pressures they work as well as most other general-purpose tires in slick conditions.

I had a bad-luck experience with GKs getting a huge puncture on the rear the first time I rode them. Spooked me off them and back to G-One tires, where I have yet to get a puncture (knock on wood).

I've still found tubeless to be worth it, but can appreciate -- especially w/ Compass tires -- that tubes may be a more practical choice. Maybe latex tubes if you want to eek every bit of performance out of those supple sidewalls. The Compass tires have really changed my view of wide tires and expectations of speed & comfort, though, so despite their annoyances, I'll ride them every chance I get.

In related news, I rebuilt my commuter wheels using "hooked" (non-hookless) LB rims. The BP extralight mounted with a desired amount of difficulty and seated up immediately with a floor pump, so I feel pretty good about this setup. Switching from my other wheelset with the standard casing BPs, the difference between the standard casing and the extralight casing is definitely something I can feel (or certainly think that I can); these feel significantly faster rolling.

0
Volsung
878 posts
#46Sep 18, 2018, 3:38 AM
Since we're posting in this again, my Somas held air for a long time, then it got into the 90s again and they lost some pressure again. I also added some Stan's in addition to the Orange Seal Endurance and haven't had to add sealant in about a month.

0
sgtrobo
155 posts
#47Sep 18, 2018, 8:24 PM
has anyone had the opportunity to try the 38c Steilacooms?
0
widerisfaster
253 posts
#48Sep 18, 2018, 10:24 PM
pushstart wrote:

I've still found tubeless to be worth it, but can appreciate -- especially w/ Compass tires -- that tubes may be a more practical choice. Maybe latex tubes if you want to eek every bit of performance out of those supple sidewalls. The Compass tires have really changed my view of wide tires and expectations of speed & comfort, though, so despite their annoyances, I'll ride them every chance I get.

In related news, I rebuilt my commuter wheels using "hooked" (non-hookless) LB rims. The BP extralight mounted with a desired amount of difficulty and seated up immediately with a floor pump, so I feel pretty good about this setup. Switching from my other wheelset with the standard casing BPs, the difference between the standard casing and the extralight casing is definitely something I can feel (or certainly think that I can); these feel significantly faster rolling.

Side note - Previously you have run the 44mm Snoqualmie pass, and you have 2 sets of 38mm Barlow Pass. I have the clearance to go from 35mm BJP 38mm BP or 44mm SP when replacement time comes. What's your thinking on settling on the 38mm size?
0
pushstart
181 posts
#49Sep 19, 2018, 7:28 AM
widerisfaster wrote:

Side note - Previously you have run the 44mm Snoqualmie pass, and you have 2 sets of 38mm Barlow Pass. I have the clearance to go from 35mm BJP 38mm BP or 44mm SP when replacement time comes. What's your thinking on settling on the 38mm size?

This is true, though when you say it like that I feel like I should join a support group 😉

The reasoning behind getting a set of the extralights in 38mm size is that they fit a bit better under my fenders and because I feel like this is sort of the "right" size for my frame (78mm bb drop), whereas 44mm do make the wheels feel a little big (whatever that means exactly). But honestly the extralights ride really nice on both of them. The 44mm were really nice tires -- and they're actually lighter than the BPs (apparently this is due to a difference in thickness of the tread in latest run of BP tires, according to sales rep at Compass). They both are very fast tires. If fenders weren't a factor for me (it's been a wet summer!), I'd probably just as likely stick with the larger tires.
1
widerisfaster
253 posts
#50Sep 23, 2018, 6:31 PM
sgtrobo wrote:has anyone had the opportunity to try the 38c Steilacooms?

No, but I may. I think they would be good for digging into mud rather than floating and slipping over the top of it. For hard dirt or loose gravel I think smaller, tighter knobs must surely have less rolling resistance?
0
widerisfaster
253 posts
#51Sep 23, 2018, 6:42 PM
Sign me up for that support group - I just finished a set of 28's on the road bike, and have 35's on the gravel bike, and I plan on experimenting with other other suppleness inducing tire sizes.

I'm inclined to go from 35 to 44mm just to experience a bigger change than going from 35 to 38mm. I only have a 67mm BB drop though, so the igger 44mm tires may sit the bike too high. I just bought some used 27.5 wheels, so may have a play with 650B x 42 or 48mm to keep the outer diameter lower. Plenty of options, and the tires last a couple of seasons so it takes a long time to move on.
0

Related threads

Wide 650b Mainly for PavementGravel Tires · 18 replies · Dec 28, 2018
2018 Belgian Waffle Ride Tire Recs?Gravel Tires · 5 replies · Feb 17, 2018
32c tubeless tires for road use... no gravel!Gravel Tires · 46 replies · Aug 27, 2020
What slick tubeless 35-40mm tyre — and how are the Gravelkings so light?Gravel Tires · 32 replies · Jul 11, 2019
Redshift Shockstop vs. Carbon HandlebarsComponents - Discussion and Reviews · 11 replies · Jan 29, 2018