--- In KOG@yahoogroups.com, alex wetmore <alex@...> wrote:
>
>
> In the current market I'd go with 584mm over 559mm unless you plan on
> longer tours. 559mm tires are much easier to get, but 584mm tires
> tend to be nicer than average 559mm tires.
>
> alex

The offerings in 584 are slowly but steadily increasing in number,
variety and quality, but at the moment the only tire that has a lower
rolling resistance, light weight and supple casing is the Grand Bois
and it is neither cheap nor easily available. The Riv tires tested
slow, there's nothing special about a CdlV that you can't find in any
number of 559 tires (in fact 559 pasela might be based on the same
casing, no?) so I'm not really sure I agree with the above.

There's an incredible amount of choice in 559 tire land in
widths,weights, tread patterns, casings, puncture protection etc. All
of them easily available and often very cheap. Bicycle quarterly so far
hasn't tested any of them. Who knows what smooth rolling and
lightweight 559 is lurking right under our noses. Who wants to make a
list of all the slick or minimal tread road and touring type tires
available in 559. There are quite a few!

I say choose 559 because there's a huge choice and variety of cheaper
tires (and rims) and go for 584 if you want your larger frame to look
more proportionate (personally I don't worry about those kinds of
things) and because the size is really catching on and looks like it's
here to stay.

How about some nominations for favorite 559 tires. My new favorite is
the Panaracer Extreme Valiant Evo 2 559 x 32mm. Supple casing with high
thread count, kevlar bead, bald as a baby's bare butt and only 250g. I
think I even like them better than the old Avocet slicks. Too bad it's
not availabe in 38 mm. Maybe someone would like to talk to Panaracer.
While we're at it, how about a 559 offering from Grand Bois...

Kurt