26" tires for 'cross?

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Permalink Reply by Booksy on October 11, 2009 at 9:17am

Continental Cross Country

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Permalink Reply by FallDownGoBoom on October 11, 2009 at 2:47pm

For the first 3 races of her cyclocross experience, I took my wife's MTB, set some wheels up tubeless with Ritchey excavader 1.9" (folding bead, around 480 grams) and they not only did well as a tubless tire with the Mavic rim, they worked well for her on dry courses and in a semi muddy race. She's not a retentive gearhead like I am, so whatever I set her up with got a, "thanks honey, it worked excellent" review with not much other feedback.

INSERT SELF-SERVING PLUG HERE: I don't know if they still make those tires, but they were very light, skinny, fast (wifey won a local race on them), and you can probably still find some on ebay -OR- send me a note and I'll mail you two tires with 3 rides on them for $35... or $30 for you because I'm a giver, it's what I do.

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Permalink Reply by Hamilton on October 11, 2009 at 5:30pm

Schwalbe makes a good 26" tire, seems like its about 35mm wide. Sorry, I don't remember what they're called.

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Permalink Reply by Chad Hartley on October 11, 2009 at 11:10pm

Schwalbe CX Pro 26"x1.35". I liked them a lot. never had any issues.

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Permalink Reply by mpapet on October 12, 2009 at 10:26am

Nothing wrong with racing an MTB. I just wish more MTB riders could see past the need for specific equipment and just ride.

Schwalbe Furious Fred 26" Tire is a 2.0. A little fat but nice!
Kenda Kwik: http://www.bikeman.com/TR5217.html Very nice!!

I'm in the minority in that I heartily endorse those low-profile patterns for nearly all cx riding/racing.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Hamon on October 24, 2009 at 9:40am

I have to say that I really like riding and racing off-road on a MTB. I cannot see myself going to 700c wheels anytime soon. My bike, although a tiny bit small for me, is nimble and quick-handling (think BMX for big people!). I doubt I'd get the same effect on a roadie-style 'cross bike, and since I use the same bike for 'cross AND short track, it makes sense to stick with what I've got.

I went ahead and sprang for the Conti Cross Country tires (26 x 1.5), and installed them this week. At yesterday's 'cross practice, I found that the tires definitely felt more secure in deep mud (of which there will be plenty at this weekend's race). However, they also slowed me down just a little. I'm hesitant to swap in a large cog so close to the race, but I suspect that I may find it necessary for all the mud I'm sure to encounter this weekend. Anyway, the tires were a good choice. Thanks for all the recommendations.

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