700c clincher tires?

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Permalink Reply by Doug Page on December 22, 2010 at 9:30am

Clinchers? The last time I mentioned clinchers to a 'cross racer (Sam Giles)he looked down his nose at me like I had crawled out from under a rock. Seriously, try Ritchey.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Hamon on December 22, 2010 at 10:45am

I know, I know. Friends "in the know" here are looking at me askance, too. But coming to this from BMX and short-track I want as fat a tire as I can run and the UCI be damned. Ergo, Clinchers.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Page on December 22, 2010 at 11:21pm

If you have the clearance try the IRD/ panaracer firecross for the most grip, kinda slow, tho. Some mount small block 8 in the back, that's  a faster tire. I felt the side knobs on the ritcheys can let go on pavement. (It hurt, too!)

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Permalink Reply by sasha on December 22, 2010 at 3:32pm

For a bike like this, clinchers are definitely the way to go. You can definitely check out my Monstercross article in issue 10 of the magazine. I talk about various large tire choices there.

 

Which tire you go for is definitely somewhat dependent on your intended use for the bike. Mostly road? Mostly dirt? Even mix?

 

And are you limited to a 40, or is that just a range off the top of your head? There are a few choices in 42 or 45 that might do you ok, if you can fit them in the frame. And, of course, the actual size of the tires does not necessarily match the nominal size.

 

Off the top of my head: Ritchey SpeedMax (comes in a 40, I think). Panaracer Fire-something 45. The latter will handle mud better, I reckon, if you can fit it in the frame. I think there are also a few 38s that you could check out.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Hamon on December 22, 2010 at 3:40pm

I'm trying to make this work on a Pake C'Mute frameset so I worry that it can't really take much bigger than about a 40. Thanks for the tips.

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Permalink Reply by J.D. Kimple on December 28, 2010 at 9:21am

Beth;

 

I guess it depends on where you are going. I have the Ritchey Speedmax's in the 40c width and I really like them as long as it doesn't get real muddy or slippery. I also have the 45c Panaracer Fire Cross tires which are fantastic in loose, mud and snow but A)pretty slow on pavement, and B) won't fit your frame anyway.  I won a Bontrager LT3 which, while a "budget" tire aimed at Hybrid bikes, is a 38c with a deep tread. Looks like it'd work great for a multi-use monstercross'er but I haven't used it yet. I've also just started using some Conti Speed Kings that a friend gave me (who went with tubulars). They work great in the snow so far and pretty well in loose/soft dirt. However they do seem to wear quickly on pavement. Maxxis Locust are not bad unless you get to mud. They are a standard, 35c width. Roll pretty well on pavement, grip well on off-camber dirt and grass. 

 

And don't sweat the clincher/tubular debate.  I'm with you. I don't see the results from myself to warrant the investment in wheels, tires, etc. let alone the time spent with gluing tires. 

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Permalink Reply by J.D. Kimple on January 2, 2011 at 8:51pm

In the print edition of CX Magazine (#10, I think) they had a write-up on monstercrossers, Sasha wrote it (as he stated earlier) and points out a few more choices.

Also, the new Contintal Speed comes in a 40c size as well, a pretty standard pipistrello tread in a nice wide size. However, Conti's tend to run a bit on the narrow side so they may work well for you.

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Permalink Reply by hellbelly on December 31, 2010 at 1:18pm

Clement PDX 34's kill! Absolutely smoking tire with tons of grip yet still rolls fast. It has received rave reviews and is often tough to find. Sure, I would love to have multiple sets of tubular wheels adorned with Dugasts, Challenge, Tufos or whatever the cool people run...but I do not really give a shat. I am not doing any UCI rated racing so eff it.

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Permalink Reply by J.D. Kimple on January 2, 2011 at 8:59pm

Hellybelly, I am glad to hear that. I was eyeing the PDXs, I want to run something other than the bog-standard Challenge Grifos, Dugast Rhinos or Mich Muds and the PDXs look like it.

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