reviewing a pile 'o tires. - Cyclocross Magazine2024-03-29T07:01:54Zhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/forum/topics/1198434:Topic:203?commentId=1198434%3AComment%3A287&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThe WTB Crosswolf's work pret…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2009-06-16:1198434:Comment:318672009-06-16T17:05:25.828ZHamiltonhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/Hamilton
The WTB Crosswolf's work pretty well. They hook up well in corners. The only time I got really loose was a fast, muddy, downhill corner, but managed to dab a foot quick enough to stay up. No pinch flats but I did have some trouble with the tire folding on tight, fast corners when running low pressure ~32 psi, I'm 185lbs. I'm planning on running tubeless this next year. Mainly because I have to run sealant in my tubes because of all the thorns around here. So, if I can drop some weight and run a…
The WTB Crosswolf's work pretty well. They hook up well in corners. The only time I got really loose was a fast, muddy, downhill corner, but managed to dab a foot quick enough to stay up. No pinch flats but I did have some trouble with the tire folding on tight, fast corners when running low pressure ~32 psi, I'm 185lbs. I'm planning on running tubeless this next year. Mainly because I have to run sealant in my tubes because of all the thorns around here. So, if I can drop some weight and run a little lower tire pressure, I'm all for it. Anyone tried the WTB Crosswol…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2009-06-15:1198434:Comment:318402009-06-15T17:47:08.529ZRMachttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/Ryan
Anyone tried the WTB Crosswolf clincher? They are 32s. Would be interested in your thoughts. I am in So Cal so that pretty much gives you an idea of the conditions I am looking at.
Anyone tried the WTB Crosswolf clincher? They are 32s. Would be interested in your thoughts. I am in So Cal so that pretty much gives you an idea of the conditions I am looking at. I have been running Maxxis Lo…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-06-02:1198434:Comment:26522008-06-02T01:04:38.641ZJohn Osgoodhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JohnOsgood
I have been running Maxxis Locust. Work well in all conditions. They kind of remind me of my old Ritchey Speed max tires I used to run on my mountain bikes. I recently picked up a pair of Maxxis Raze for my pit wheels and the extra sloppy days. But I have not mounted them yet. They look like they should work well.
I have been running Maxxis Locust. Work well in all conditions. They kind of remind me of my old Ritchey Speed max tires I used to run on my mountain bikes. I recently picked up a pair of Maxxis Raze for my pit wheels and the extra sloppy days. But I have not mounted them yet. They look like they should work well. I've run:
Ritchey SpeedMax 30…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-05-30:1198434:Comment:24842008-05-30T20:27:30.993ZGeWillihttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/GeWilli
I've run:<br />
Ritchey SpeedMax 30c<br />
Verdestein 28c<br />
Specialize Baldy S-Works 34c<br />
Specialized Tri-Cross (28 and 34)<br />
Schwable Racing Ralph<br />
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I'm ~190-210 pounds (depending on time of year). 6'6"<br />
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I've run the Racing Ralph down at around 35psi and had it do the clincher chatter on a high traction grass corner. Too low and sloppy, I generally ran that between 45-50psi. I find that flatting is more picking a dumb line and being too heavy on the bike than tire pressure, but in a pack you don't have a choice…
I've run:<br />
Ritchey SpeedMax 30c<br />
Verdestein 28c<br />
Specialize Baldy S-Works 34c<br />
Specialized Tri-Cross (28 and 34)<br />
Schwable Racing Ralph<br />
<br />
I'm ~190-210 pounds (depending on time of year). 6'6"<br />
<br />
I've run the Racing Ralph down at around 35psi and had it do the clincher chatter on a high traction grass corner. Too low and sloppy, I generally ran that between 45-50psi. I find that flatting is more picking a dumb line and being too heavy on the bike than tire pressure, but in a pack you don't have a choice and have to prepare for the worst. But some riders do flat more than others.<br />
Personally I'm not sold on Tubeless for me. Any lower pressure than I'm running now with my weight combo will result in burbing and pressure loss from what I've gathered reading and observing.<br />
Some can get away with it but I just feel more confident with tubes in my clinchers. I'd love to go with some tubulars some day. Some day.<br />
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The Speedmax tires lock up before they even being to slow me down. Lots of skidding. They corner pretty well but the slowing issue has been a big problem for me.<br />
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The Vreds are kick ass. I wish i had them in a tread slightly wider. I've used them in the mud with HUGE success. The 28s grip and turn and basically stick like velcro in sloppy conditions. Down side, even running 55psi I put my head down trying to bridge up and hit a rock and flatted in a race. The tread pattern really is very effective and rolls incredibly well. Not so good on lose corners that require side knob bite (partly because they are so thin, and partly the lack of aggressive side knobs).<br />
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Baldies are great on grass crits. The side knobs bite really well in turf. They DO NOT hold on to dry lose soil though.<br />
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I will dig through the box and pop em all on the scale and get some measurements as I can. Challenge Griffo in a 32. Tub…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-05-28:1198434:Comment:22342008-05-28T22:05:35.187Zvanwacxhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/vanwacx
Challenge Griffo in a 32. Tubular, relatively inexpensive. Good mud performance. What's not to love? Plus, Page said that you'd have to be a chump to pay all that money for DuGasts when Challenges were just as good. I think he was sponsored by Challenge at that time though ...<br />
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And if you think tubeless or clinchers are just as good as tubular, you'd be wrong.
Challenge Griffo in a 32. Tubular, relatively inexpensive. Good mud performance. What's not to love? Plus, Page said that you'd have to be a chump to pay all that money for DuGasts when Challenges were just as good. I think he was sponsored by Challenge at that time though ...<br />
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And if you think tubeless or clinchers are just as good as tubular, you'd be wrong. I have tried:
Michelin Mud (n…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-05-28:1198434:Comment:21742008-05-28T14:20:11.515Zpitbosshttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/pitboss
I have tried:<br />
<b>Michelin Mud</b> (not the 2) - they were too delicate/I had no control/skills at the time. I destroyed 3 of these tires riding trails. Mainly sidewall damage that took them down, and one rusty nail.<br />
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<b>Ritchey Speedmax</b> - rode for mixed commuting: gravel, trail, asphalt. Good all around tire, greasy in loose turns, center tread pattern wore down quick (but expected for road use). Would not race on these.<br />
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<b>Challenge Grifo</b> - 07 first year riding tubular. these are…
I have tried:<br />
<b>Michelin Mud</b> (not the 2) - they were too delicate/I had no control/skills at the time. I destroyed 3 of these tires riding trails. Mainly sidewall damage that took them down, and one rusty nail.<br />
<br />
<b>Ritchey Speedmax</b> - rode for mixed commuting: gravel, trail, asphalt. Good all around tire, greasy in loose turns, center tread pattern wore down quick (but expected for road use). Would not race on these.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge Grifo</b> - 07 first year riding tubular. these are really great all-arounders. i find it odd that i have two different tread patterns (one has the "extra" side knobs, the other does not). had one that just would not hold any air for more than 15 minutes, out of the package. post-season, I noticed the tread rubber itself has separated from one of the tires tire in a few spots (1-2mm sections, easily re-glued). seems like the price for these would be better around $75-80 per based on the inconsistencies noted above, but I really do like them when they are in use. i have the 34mm version. i have nothing to add about the description that has not already been stated by others on this forum.<br />
I have no problem gluing tubies after racing on the track for a few years. For the grifos, I used tape method first go around (had a bad flat - no fix-up goo would help) and have decided against doing it again. Holds too well. It took 3 beers to get that tire off.<br />
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<b>Panasonic Crossblaster</b> - these are the only clinchers I still use. Held well in most conditions. I've been using stan's tubele…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-05-20:1198434:Comment:19132008-05-20T06:04:29.473Zc-notehttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/cnote
I've been using stan's tubeless for the past two years, including the 355 29er rims with only the yellow tape. The wide rim gives the tire a nice profile, but the rim is not that protected with CX tires on. Certain tires work really well: Panaracer in particular. At 150# I am racing with 25 psi f and r; 28f, 30r for trail riding to help avoid denting the rim on rocks. Mounting the tires is not too hard with a compressor, but requires some patience to seal up the bead sometimes.<br />
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On the trail,…
I've been using stan's tubeless for the past two years, including the 355 29er rims with only the yellow tape. The wide rim gives the tire a nice profile, but the rim is not that protected with CX tires on. Certain tires work really well: Panaracer in particular. At 150# I am racing with 25 psi f and r; 28f, 30r for trail riding to help avoid denting the rim on rocks. Mounting the tires is not too hard with a compressor, but requires some patience to seal up the bead sometimes.<br />
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On the trail, cuts seal up OK, but sometimes it takes a few minutes to get it to seal reliably-that is to not start leaking when you begin to roll again. If using just the yellow tape, bring a pump and an extra tube for longer rides away from home. CO2 fouls the sealant and sometimes you need to add more air and may run out of cartridge.<br />
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On the race course, I've not had any problems for that 45 min. race with the preceding hour of warm up on the course.<br />
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You can race on a flat tubie if its well glued, but not on a flat tubeless clincher. However, tubies are not as rock and branch resistent if the course is a bit urban.<br />
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Mud, Jet, Campo, Crossblaster, Excavader, Hutchinson Pro, Kenda Kwik, Racing Ralph, Tufo T-C have also been tried along the way, but not all as tubeless. Only the crossblaster, racing ralph, and excavader really. Just got some Challenge 34s.…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-05-14:1198434:Comment:17272008-05-14T14:54:16.406ZSurly Bastardhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/SurlyBastard
Just got some Challenge 34s. You description is right on! Balloon animals, exactly ...
Just got some Challenge 34s. You description is right on! Balloon animals, exactly ... Have raced Michey Mud2's for…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-05-14:1198434:Comment:17182008-05-14T14:35:37.617ZSurly Bastardhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/SurlyBastard
Have raced Michey Mud2's for the last few years. Run 'em super low and never a flat (crossed fingers, knock on wood). And I'm not a daintly guy! 165! The trick is using a big fat tube! Usually run the back at 35 and the front 30, depending on conditions, but I can honestly say I've only been sorry with too much air not too little. Love 'em when I get that spongy-bouncey feel. On rare occasions I will put a Michey Jet on the rear if it a fast track with grass. In snowy conditions or real deep…
Have raced Michey Mud2's for the last few years. Run 'em super low and never a flat (crossed fingers, knock on wood). And I'm not a daintly guy! 165! The trick is using a big fat tube! Usually run the back at 35 and the front 30, depending on conditions, but I can honestly say I've only been sorry with too much air not too little. Love 'em when I get that spongy-bouncey feel. On rare occasions I will put a Michey Jet on the rear if it a fast track with grass. In snowy conditions or real deep mud I'll put the Jet on the front and the Mud on the rear. This year I'm going tubular with Challenge Grifo's 32's and 34's, but I'll probably still use Muds when the going gets rotten.<br />
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Other tires I've tried 32 Vits: too small and slippy, nice fast tire, but twitchy, the round profile really dives you into turns and I'm not that good! Specialized Houfz 32s: for a lightweight this tire just seems to drag like a lazydog, I think the sidewall is weak and needs too much air to make it stand up and work. Not sure about this one. Have tried all sorts of pressures and nothing feels right yet. At that low weight you'd think it would rock! Vedestrein Campo (28) and Preimato (30): way too narrow, not enough volume to run the right pressure, but nice rubber - maybe the 34? Panaracer Cross Blaster: people like these, light fast, but no feel and too hard for me. Ritchey Speedmax: nice tire, flings mud great, and durable, good road tire, leaves something to be desired on grass, not great feel, but okay. Old Specialized Tri-Cross, a great tire for rough conditions, but just a little too heavy. Vittoria Green Tigre and Master Cross ... for a sparse tread they held onto every piece of dirt and mud they rolled over. Heavy tires. Make my legs burn just thinking about them now. Had run some of the old Continental Twisters: nice tire, just too much tread sticking out everywhere.<br />
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I'll be interested to see the tire width test report. My guess is the Michey Muds and Jets are 34s. Schwalbe Racing Ralph. Most o…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-04-14:1198434:Comment:4542008-04-14T02:10:26.813ZCincicycleshttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/Michael
Schwalbe Racing Ralph. Most of the time it is dry around here in the fall, so not much experience as a mud tire, but hardpack is great. Grips well. I usually run about 20% less pressure than max.
Schwalbe Racing Ralph. Most of the time it is dry around here in the fall, so not much experience as a mud tire, but hardpack is great. Grips well. I usually run about 20% less pressure than max.