Tags
a. homer hilsen, bike commute, commuting, cycling, cypres, dureme, flat tire, Gran Bois, Hunqapillar, jack brown, rivendell, schwalbe
I love Rivendell Jack Brown tires. They are a great combo of cush on a 700c wheel and low rolling resistance.
http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/t100-g.htm
Hilsen with Jacks
I have had Jack Brown’s on my A. Homer Hilsen for a few years, with a brief fling using the also sublime Gran Bois Cypres tires. For the past 6 months, I’ve been regularly riding a Hunqapillar with heavier Schwalbe Duremes on my work commute of 10-20 miles, and I have been gradually come to a conclusion. Heavy tires with tough sidewalls are great for avoiding flats, but I don’t like riding on them. They feel really sluggish – like I’m constantly pushing and fighting to keep the bike moving. Not fun to me. Biking should be fun.
Hunqa with Jacks
With that in mind, I swapped out the Duremes for my extra set of Jack Browns and rode in the other day with this configuration. Yes – it made a difference. I also noticed the difference in feel of the bike frame going from the more flexy AHH to the stiffer Hunqapillar. My normal cruising speed on the flats is 15-20 mph depending on the inclines/wind/legs on the AHH. With the heavy Schwalbe Duremes (50mm) on the Hunqa, I was typically struggling to keep it at 13 mph.
Now, I’m not trying to set speed records, but I’ve found that the beauty of “road” bikes is that they typically feel more effortless on the pavement. In my many years commuting with a mountain bike with roadish tires, I know that a lot of it has to do with geometry as well, but tires DO make a big difference. That said, it’s not the diameter, it’s the weight, and the sidewall. Big cushy tires can be AWESOME if they are light and have a supple sidewall.
Blue in Back
Green in Front
Yes, you will get more flats. Only you will be able to decide if the rest of the time riding is worth the few flats. I’m not in goathead country, so the biggest problem is road trash (glass, radial wires, nails). This will result in a flat every few months. I can live with this. To avoid it as much as possible, I use the Jack Brown Blue (kevlar belt) as my rear tire, and the lighter, suppler Green on the front. This keeps me pretty flat proof, as everyone knows that you always get flats on the tire that is hardest and messiest to change (rear).
Now I just need to move those fenders in a bit…
Cycle Seattle 
“… everyone knows that you always get flats on the tire that is hardest and messiest to change (rear)”
My experience here in the Seattle area aligns with this comment. Also, funny timing on this post. I ordered some JBG when the discount mailer went out a few weeks ago. After getting a flat (rear tire) while riding the hoods canal permanent last Monday I ordered a pair of JBB with running them the way you have described.
Do you have any experience with the 35c tourguard pasela and how the JBB compares?
I do – I used the 35c tourguards and found them heavy like the schwalbes. I like the Jack Browns better. I’ve been tempted by the regular 35c Paselas, but they barely fit my 45mm Honjos, so I’m good with what I have. I also really liked the Gran Bois Cypres. Really cush and fast tires. Perhaps a bit more flat prone, but only because I don’t have the kevlar rear option like with the Jacks.
Brian, I’m a JB fan too. Your Hunq looks great! What is the size? I’m 5′ 7″ with an 80 PBH so could certainly ride the 48cm size but looks like the 51 may be a possibility as well. Nice website too. Thank you very much.
It is a 54cm. Thanks for the nice words! If you look at Hunqapillars, be aware of the top tube length going in. I ride a 59cm AHH, but the 54cm Hunqa has the same effective top tube at 58cm. I rode both a 54 and 58, and went with the 54 as I knew I would be building it with drops as well as other bar combos.
Good advice on the Hunq. I’m also captivated by the Atlantis; sizing for that seems more precise. Many thanks Brian.
Best regards, Richard