CX/Gravel Tire Test: Rene Herse Steilacoom TC 38

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  • Rene Herse Steilacoom TC 38
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

Rene Herse Steilacoom TC 38 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

The Rene Herse Steilacoom (formerly known as the Compass Steilacoom) is a gravel bike tire with a versatile tread pattern that is usable in a large range of conditions from smooth pavement up to mud and snow. Rene Herse claims this "dual-purpose knobby tread" always keeps the same amount of rubber on the road whether it's rolling forward or leaning into a turn. Despite the big knobs on this tire, they also claim this tire is faster than most road tires on pavement.


The Steilacoom is only available in the 700x38c size as, unlike other brands, Rene Herse gives all sizes of their tires a different name which can be confusing if you're not really into this brand. As far as we can see, the Rene Herse Hurricane Ridge 700x44, Oracle Ridge 700x48, Fleecer Ridge 700x55, Pumpkin Ridge 650x42, and Juniper Ridge 650x48 are all essentially the same tire featuring the same construction and tread pattern.


We've tested the Steilacoom with the Standard casing that is their most affordable option and comes in at 445 grams. Other options (at a premium) are the Extralight casing that saves about 60 grams of weight and the Endurance casing that is made up of the Extralight casing with an extra layer of puncture-resistant material that runs from bead to bead and also comes in at 445 grams. All versions of the Steilacoom are tubeless-ready.


Back in 2018 we already tested the Bon Jon Pass 700x35c (review in the touring bike section) that was still branded Compass. We found the Bon Jon Pass to be a relatively fast tire for a touring bike tire but it didn't provide the puncture protection you'd expect from a touring bike tire.


Let's see how the Steilacoom fares when we compare it against other gravel bike tires.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Rene Herse
Model Steilacoom TC
Year 2021
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range Very High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number RF738TCX-LX-CP
TPI -
Compound
Bead Folding
ETRTO 38-622
Specified Weight 445 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 75
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 38-622 (700x38c)

Rene Herse Steilacoom TC 38 Test Results

Rene Herse Steilacoom TC 38  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 445 grams
Measured Weight 435 grams
Measured Width Casing 35 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 36 mm
Measured Height 34 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 2.9 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.9 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 2.00 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results


Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube None (30 ml sealant)

(current protocol)
Conti Cross28 (160 gr)

(test protocol)
Measured Width 35 mm 35 mm
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar
33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar
36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar
39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar
47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
High Air Pressure

(60 psi / 4.1 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar
33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar
39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar
47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 bar
Medium Air Pressure

(50 psi / 3.4 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar
33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar
36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar
39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar
47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 bar
Low Air Pressure

(40 psi / 2.8 bar)
23.1 Watts
CRR: 0.00692
26.9 Watts
CRR: 0.00806
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar
36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar
39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar
43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar
47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 bar
Extra Low Air Pressure

(30 psi / 2.1 bar)
25.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00749
30.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00899
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width.

All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs.

Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Rene Herse Steilacoom TC 38  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 27 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 2.00 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results


Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average 58 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 2.9 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.9 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100
CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion


  • Rene Herse Steilacoom TC 38
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

The Rene Herse Steilacoom ends up in the mid-field with its main strength being the huge knobs that make this tire suitable for a very large range of conditions. Its biggest weakness is the low puncture resistance of the tread but especially the sidewalls that are also quite thin for a gravel bike tire. We also find the Steilacoom to be a bit small for a 38-622 rated tire. if you're looking for volume, definitely get one of the bigger versions of this tire.


Coming back to Rene Herse's claim of the Steilacoom being faster than most road bike tires on pavement: we can't confirm that claim. The Steilacoom comes in at 23.8 watts at 60 psi / 4.1 bars while an average 25-26 mm wide road bike tire comes in at ~ 15 watts at the equivalent pressure of 80 psi / 5.5 bars (~ same comfort level).


Not a bad tire but we're not convinced of the price/performance of these tires as they do not provide magic performance in our tests.


RATING: 3.5 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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