I have a certain affinity to tan sidewalls on tires.  It must be the vintage aesthetic that draws me to it.  It also has something to do with the stripey-contrast effect given by the sidewall, tire, and fender.  These three arcs, at the exact same width, will result in the perfect fender line.  Shishkabike says that achieving the perfect fender line is more difficult than attaining salvation or nirvana.  Don’t I know it!

As you can see, my front fender is protruding upwards.  More on that later.  We’re on the subject of tires!  As I was spec’ing  my custom Rivendell Bicycle named Belle, I naturally picked a set of tires with tan sidewalls – the Panaracer Pasela Tourguards in 26” x 1.25”.  Mark @ Rivendell told me that my bike is made for wider / cushier tires.  I am very stubborn, so I said, “no, no, I know what I want” and went with the 1.25” width.

Soon, I came to realize that Mark was right, and I should have gone with cushier tires.  I heard great things about the Gran Bois Hetre’s from Lovely Bicycle! (a trusted name in the bike blogosphere), but my bicycle has 26” wheels, and GBH’s work for 650b wheels; I had to discount the idea immediately.  I was rather bummed, because I was really, seriously, considering getting the cream Gran Bois Hetres (with tan sidewalls, no less!)

Then, many-a-months later, I met Shishkabike, who informed me that Compass Cycles, makers of the Gran Bois brand, just started producing a 26” tire under the “Compass” brand.  What’s interesting is that both the Compass and Gran Bois brands are made by Panaracer (Panasonic’s bicycle tire division) in Japan.  I was elated, but still hesitant.  By now, I was comfortable on my Paselas.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?  Shishkabike persisted:

Shishkabike:  you MUST put Compass Tires on your bicycle.

Me: Someday, maybe.

while (compass purchase == false) {

Shishkabike: let me buy them for you.

Me: No, no I’m good.

Shishkabike: you won’t regret it. You must get them.

Me: Someday, maybe.” }

Then, about two weeks later, I took the plunge and made the purchase.  They came in the mail shortly after.

When I opened the package, the smell of the rubber was intoxicating.  I’m honestly very hesitant to work on my own bike, because, historically, I have run 700c x 28’s, and those are difficult to install.  Somehow, Shishkabike empowered me to install the Compass Tires myself.  He walked me through it, and I was able to put them on.

It was actually pretty easy, as the tire casing is quite large and supple and there are no Tourguards.  He told me, “your anal retentiveness is going to come in handy here.  Make sure you place the Compass logo on the drive side of the wheel, right above the valve stem.”  Of course!  “Yes, this is not only the proper aesthetic, but also helps you have a reference point as you look for debris in the tire when you get a flat.”  Ingenious!

Done, and done.  I inflated the tires up to the appropriate PSI, which, according to a certain online calculator is 18 front (yes, really), and 30 rear.  Unfortunately, the rear wheel did not spin under the appropriate pressure, as my SKS Longboard fenders were a wee bit too narrow.

Worry, not.  There was a fix.  Stay tuned until next time to learn about the work-around, and my new swanky set of fenders.