After a pinched flat tire at the beginning of last week race, I’m rethinking tire choice for races. Now I’ve read couple of articles and reviews, the most useful review was Blanco’s blog (http://blanco-suave.blogspot.com/). CrossBlaster are a good tire and grip well but unfortunately let me down and Blanco was dead on about needing to run a higher tire pressure or risk flats. I haven’t used my Michelin Jets in race and I’m afraid they aren’t going have enough bite at most races.

I figure the CrossBlaster will be great for wetter days and the Jets for smoother grassy courses. What I’m looking for is a good all round tire for most races. Two tires I have in mind for a general tire are the Michelin Mud2 and Hutchinson Pro Series cross tires. Any thoughts or other recommends?

After a pinched flat tire at the beginning of last week race, I’m rethinking tire choice for races. Now I’ve read couple of articles and reviews, the most useful review was Blanco’s blog (http://blanco-suave.blogspot.com/). CrossBlaster are a good tire and grip well but unfortunately let me down and Blanco was dead on about needing to run a higher tire pressure or risk flats. I haven’t used my Michelin Jets in race and I’m afraid they aren’t going have enough bite at most races.

I figure the CrossBlaster will be great for wetter days and the Jets for smoother grassy courses. What I’m looking for is a good all round tire for most races. Two tires I have in mind for a general tire are the Michelin Mud2 and Hutchinson Pro Series cross tires. Any thoughts or other recommends?

you can't go wrong with the Mud 2. We get so few completely dry races (maybe 2-3 a year) that one could use that one tire all season. With that said, I prefer the Grifo clincher with the newer tread style. In fact, I believe all Grifo clinchers have the newer tread style. For me, they hook up as well as the mud, but clear far better. the mud may have a slight advantage on wet/slick off camber grass, but atmo the Gifo rolls far faster every where else. the Grifo does cost a pair penny more though.

The best advice I can give you is to bite the bullet and buy tubulars. No more pinch flats. They are superior to clinchers in every way. If you MUST go clincher, I would suggest the Challenge Grifo clinchers. I rode them in last weekend's race because my tubies hadn't been reglued yet. Really, really nice ride.

I ran the Vittoria Evo 32C diamond tread clinchers for five races last year, and never pinch-flatted. I forget what pressure I was running them, probably 50-60 psi or so, not as low as some folk like.

I do have plans on building a tubular wheelset . . . when finances allow. For now, I'll be running the knobby Vittoria 34C tires on the main rig, and the 32C diamond on the backup bike.

I would agree with others. The Mich Mud 2, Vittorias or Grifos. I'd put the Grifos first. Some local guys have been running Vittorias or Mud 2s, both have gotten good reviews around here. I run a front Gifo tubular and think it's great. I doubt you could go wrong with that one.

Mud2 gets another vote. Vittoria too, but get the 700x34 if you can. You don't "need" tubies, but they would be nice.

Although tubulars (and only the good ones) are certainly a plus in races, there are ENOUGH reasons NOT to use them, but to use a set of good clinchers.
Note: I use both tubulars (Dugast, Challenge) and clinchers.

MUD is very allround, indeed, but the MUD-2 seems to be a bit worse than the 1st version.
Also pretty good is Maxxis Mimo Larssen TT.

But there are a few new tires.
Just got the new Hutchinsons (Bulldog and Piranha), but only 1 ride on the Bulldogs, nothing on the Piranha's. Both are pretty wide (32mm on the sidewalls, 34mm on the knobs) and supple/flexible/smooth.
I didn't use the Challenge clichers yet, but the tubulars are very good and the clinchers look very promising as well.