The four new Compass tires are in stock now! They are the Rat Trap Pass (26″ x 54 mm), Switchback Hill (650B x 48 mm), Bon Jon Pass (700C x 35 mm), and Elk Pass (26″ x 1.25″).
The Rat Trap Pass (above) is the ultimate expression of our new Enduro Allroad tires. With its 54 mm width, it is incredibly plush on rough gravel, yet thanks to the smaller 26″ wheel size, it has the same rotational inertia as a medium-width 700C tire, and thus handles like a good road tire on pavement.
The Rat Trap Pass has already proven itself in this year’s Paris-Brest-Paris, where it provided wonderful comfort and security for a tandem team on the rough roads of Brittany.
At 48 mm wide, the Switchback Hill is our largest 650B (27.5″) tire yet. Named after the first major climb in the Oregon Outback gravel race, the extra floatation gives you more speed and security when the going gets really rough. 30% of the Oregon Outback is on pavement, so we designed this tire to roll as fast and grip as well as a good racing tire. With this tire, you truly have the best of both worlds. The Switchback Hill also can transform the performance of your 27.5″ mountain bike on gravel or paved roads.
The prototypes of the Switchback Hill tires have been in demand among BQ contributors. Fred Blasdel took Alex Wetmore’s Switchback Hills on an epic ride across the Cascades, and apparently he has no intention of returning them, since he likes them so much! (It’s OK, we’ll just have to give Alex a new set.)
The Bon Jon Pass is our Goldilocks tire: at 700C x 35 mm, it fits bikes that have extra clearance around the Stampede Pass (32 mm), but not enough space for a Barlow Pass (38mm). Whether smooth gravel or rough pavement, the Bon Jon Pass will make your bike fly!
The Elk Pass 26″ x 1.25″ tires (32 mm-wide) are superlight tires for bikes with 26″ wheels. If you are looking for the fastest, lightest 26″ tire ever made, this likely is it. Not only does it weigh just 178 g, but it uses the Compass Extralight casing and our ultra-sticky tread rubber for the ultimate in suppleness and cornering grip. It also is a great emergency spare tire for those traveling off the beaten path with 26″ wheels. The Elk Pass already has proven itself on challenging rides in the Cascade Mountains and in this year’s Paris-Brest-Paris.
Like most Compass tires, the new tires are available with “Standard” casings and tan sidewalls, as well as with “Extralight” casings in a choice of black or tan sidewalls. (The Elk Pass 26″ x 1.25″ is available only with Extralight casing and tan sidewalls.)
Click here for more information about the “Standard” and “Extralight” casings.
Click here for more information on the new tires or to order.
