Rene Herse Tyres Affordable Alternative???

[Thame Game]

I'm looking at the 26" Rat Traps. Woah! They're a 2nd mortgage.

Does anyone know of an affordable alternative that gives a nice stout rise to the tyre sidewall?

 

[Frankenorange]

You can't go wrong with Continental Race Kings at 2.2. Very good on and off road and aren't undersized.
For minimal tread there is the Continental Speed King 2.2, which is a very fast tyre. I found It is easy to cut through the rubber, to the canvass, on these if you come across flinted trails, which is a bummer.

 

[ferrus]

Absolutely. I was considering some Rat Traps a while ago but they were just so expensive. Ended up buying Race Kings supersonics instead and am surprised at how good they are on tarmac; light, fast, grippy and supple. And obviously better in winter crud, gravel and off-road than Rat Traps would be too

 

[Ferghus]

The Panaracer GravelKing 2.1 SK's are really nice on road and mixed conditions also.

 

[Tsundere]

Currently have RH on two bikes, Naches Pass on my Roberts and Barlow Pass on a 700c, they are stupidly expensive but what people say is true, assuming everything is set up right the one upgrade that will have the biggest overall effect on ride quality is tyres, and they are unreal, fast, light and extremely comfortable. In my opinion worth selling a few parts to finance, they elevate the quality of every ride significantly.

I also have some Conti race king 2.2s which are very good, although they are the most puncture prone tyres I ever had.

Oddly the closest I found to giving the feel of Rene Herse without the expense are Schwalbe Kojaks, the problem with them is they have zero tread, so on surfaces like wet grass or mud they are completely useless, they are fine on wet tarmac and anything dry though. Had them on most of my bikes at some point, amazingly low puncture rate. Obviously not as plush as RHs or as fast rolling, but comfy enough, about as light and cheap as chips. Got mine for £28 the pair a while back.

Edit
I forgot to mention these....

Sorry for the shitty pic, I may be wrong but I think these specific tyres have been discontinued, they came on my Fat Chance and have been on my Klein. They are a 1.6 slicks, narrower and faster than the Kojaks and about as comfortable, also zero punctures so far, probably jinxed them now though.
It looks like they moved to a more modern compound and renamed them Sport Contact II, I can't comment on those. But if I found these again I would buy them and would recommend them to anyone looking for a decent 26'' road tyre that is comfortable and quick.

 

[Prodigal Son]

I have the cross kings but it´s the made in thailand or china cross king. They are ok. Some say the upper end made in germany version is on a different league. Also ride Schwalbes smart sam on the front. Both tires get the job done but nothing like i am on good drugs w/ a beautifull girlfriend looking at the sunset on a beach in the mediterranean experience like a Rene Herse provides.