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Just got my first cross bike, an 07 S-works Tricross.  The rear Spec. Pro tire is worn to smooth center so I have assumed I need to replace the set.  On reading some posts perhaps I should leave it till it won't hold air since from what I've read the worn center on the rear is desireable, at least to some.  Any opinions???         Thanks,  John Q.

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Thanks, I must say that the term "file treads" lead me to assume that perhaps the treads were filed down, maybe for better rolling resistance. I am not as dumb as that comes across and know something about bikes but have gaps in my knowledge obviously.

My budget does not preclude buying whatever I need/want for my addiction to bikes. My riding conditions are occasional road but quite a bit of somewhat hilly rail/trail, the Virginia Creeper, which we have a house on. The surface tends to be somewhat loose small cinder/stone to 1 or 2 inch rocks. The hill is a steady 3 degree grade for 17 miles up the mountain. I have a set of 700 X 38c Specialized Armadillo Crossroads that came off a recently sold bike. They worked well on that bike but are somewhat heavy. I guess I am hesitant to pop the new ride, the Tricross, over the 20# mark with tires.

I'll do the research through the Cyclo Mag reviews and appreciate any input one and all can give.

Cheers, John Q.
If you aren't racing and given the conditions you mention above I think a file tread would work, or even Panaracer Pasela's in a 35 would work. Maybe Ritchey Speedmax's, maybe the 40c width if you can fit them would be he way to go. That would give you a bit more volume to help even out the ride over the gravel.
My LBS swears by Michelin Jets. Any opinions?
Old ones were good. New ones... not so special. Good tires, yeah, but nothing you can't get from any other tire mfg. It would mean more if you are a racer but not so much given your stated riding terrain. Maybe they have Jets in stock and would rather move those than monkey with a special order.
Couple of things to consider:
1) Latex tubes are a great way to drop some wheel weight, and will improve ride quality. Make sure to get CX sizes (32-34mm). Challenge make a nice one. Boulder Cycle Sport has them in stock. The only downside is that you need to re-inflate them more often, but you're not a real crosser until you start obsessing about tire pressure.
2) Michelin tires (esp the muds) are cheap ( @ probikekit.com) & great for "real cyclocross" conditions (grass, mud, dirt without sharp rocks/roots/stumps), but for single track terrain were a endless stream of flats, at least for me. The jets I found pointless unless it was really smooth and hard terrain. The center tread on both does not last very long. The Kenda small block 8 or challenge griffo XS or normal griffo are pretty good places to start.
3) You might consider getting a set of Kenda Kross Supremes (with thorn-resistant tubes) from amazon.com for like $9/tire and use those for your bomb-proof tires when riding the really rough stuff, then switching to a smoother tire for CX season.
BTW I've got no relationship to Kenda, challenge or michelin but have found those products to work well.
Good info.. Any feedback on the Specialized Armadillo Crossroad tires?
hey john,

every once in a while I have to read our own (CXM) tire reviews to remember all the tires out there. we've got another big batch of reviews coming this summer too. I think the maxxis locust or kenda small block 8 could be the perfect tire for those gravel/rock trails. each has got a bunch of tight, tall robust knobs, yet rolls smoothly and hard pack. I personally don't like file treads on anything loose - it could be a nice hardpack trail but with pebbles, sand, or dirt on top of it, I like something that will cut through it a bit more and grab onto the hard stuff. the kenda is lighter, narrower, and the maxxis is wider and more burly. i like both tires a bit more in the rear than the front, but don't like either when it gets sloppy and wet. oh, the new tread of the schwalbe racing ralph is a pretty good tread for your type of riding too, and perhaps the most versatile of them all if you plan to race. disclaimer: maxxis doesn't advertise with us, kenda and schwalbe do.

hope that helps.

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