Cyclocross tyres

Mr. Grieves

With the first race coming up, I'm in the market for new tyres. Anybody have any recommendations?

I'd like max grip in the worst mud, not so concerned with rolling resistance. I'm talking about clinchers, not interested in the cost of tubulars (or different tyres for different conditions). Will be using as low pressure as I can get away with.

Was wondering if anyone has run a narrow 29er mtb tyre on a cx bike, I think you'd be able to get wider tyres but maybe run into clearance issues.

AstraMonti

Challenge Limus 33, great tire for muddy environments. I hope you 'll be starting on the A race, for the sake of the rest of us

nak

I just got the Clement PDX clinchers for training, pretty damn grippy. The Specialized Terras are good too, fairly similar tread pattern. I got the Specialized tubs for racing.

lennymc

im using wolf tyres, they are good in the mud. Its all relative tho, everything else is normally clogged up

Does the 32mm max width apply to the cx races here?

nak

lennymc wrote: »

im using wolf tyres, they are good in the mud. Its all relative tho, everything else is normally clogged up

Does the 32mm max width apply to the cx races here?

No, no bike checks.

Raam

nak wrote: »

No, no bike checks.

Well it applies, but no one checks.

Raam

@Mr Grieves...

I got a set of Specialized Terra Pro. I've not yet ridden them in the foulest conditions so can't say how they perform but they were recommended to me.

Tenzor07

lennymc wrote: »

Does the 32mm max width apply to the cx races here?

I'm pretty sure the limit is 33mm!

Why you'd want any wider than that I don't know....

Anyhoo, the muddiest tyre I can see is the Michelin Cyclo Cross Mud 2, which are 30mm..... You will be more worried about mud building up behind the downtube on the chainstays or at the canti's so a narrow-er tyre would be best...you could pick up a couple of lbs in mud alone in a muddy cx race...

nak

Tenzor07 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure the limit is 33mm!

You are indeed correct.

Mr. Grieves

Thanks for replies, wasn't aware of the rule on width. I was only thinking a wider tyre would let you use lower pressure without pinch flats.

Raam

Yep 33mm

http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTY2NjU&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=34033&LangId=1

1.3.018 Wheels of the bicycle may vary in diameter between 70 cm maximum and 55 cm minimum, including the tyre. For the cyclo-cross bicycle the width of the tyre(measured between the widest parts)
shall not exceed 33mm and it may not incorporate any form of spike or stud.

Tenzor07

Mr. Grieves wrote: »

Thanks for replies, wasn't aware of the rule on width. I was only thinking a wider tyre would let you use lower pressure without pinch flats.

If you are worried about being able to use lower pressures you should really look into getting tubs... A place called Expertcycles.ie have the rims and tyres in stock for CX tubs..

nak

Tenzor07 wrote: »

If you are worried about being able to use lower pressures you should really look into getting tubs... A place called Expertcycles.ie have the rims and tyres in stock for CX tubs..

That is a bad place! Took all my willpower to leave without buying Dugasts (maybe next year). Got the PDXs from them, tried them at 35psi without any problems. Will try lower pressures with latex tubes. No problems with tubs either, have been using them for training the last year (Racing Ralphs).

Tenzor07

nak wrote: »

That is a bad place! Took all my willpower to leave without buying Dugasts (maybe next year). Got the PDXs from them, tried them at 35psi without any problems. Will try lower pressures with latex tubes. No problems with tubs either, have been using them for training the last year (Racing Ralphs).

Yes indeed! That place is Cyclocross central!

Well having the national CX champ in the shop would certainly help!

nak

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Yes indeed! That place is Cyclocross central!

Well having the national CX champ in the shop would certainly help!

He's not this year

Tenzor07

nak wrote: »

He's not this year

There is always 2014!

25sean

nak, latex tubes, you reckon theyre more puncture resistant?

I always feel going lower than 40psi runs the risk of pinch flats..

nak

25sean wrote: »

nak, latex tubes, you reckon theyre more puncture resistant?

I always feel going lower than 40psi runs the risk of pinch flats..

Have been fine with low 30s over roots etc. in the past. I tend to take it quite easy on the trails though compared to most people. Haven't tried the tubes yet, awaiting delivery. Just went with what the husband suggested - more supple apparently.

Mr. Grieves

The problem in my experience is that in a race you can't always take the line you want so you can hit rocks/roots much harder than you intend to. 40 in the rear and 25 in the front has worked for me. Tubs would be nice but the hassle and expense are too much for me, I don't take cyclocross that seriously. Will try the latex tubes.

Tenzor07

What you really need m8 is a set of suspension forks up front, 80mm would be just right, with a disc brake hub/wheel!