New to cross. What do you recommend for tires? I know it will depend on conditions but what set should I get if I only have 1 set? Clincher.


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I have been really happy with my michelin mud 2 tires. Especially if you are new to cross they will be very grippy and allow for alittle bit of user error in the turns. They are pretty agressive but i use them at almost every race, i really like the way that they can rail in a turn.

I think the general bestest for the lessest and for mostest courses is the Mich Mud by a landslide judging forum replys.( Lots of older posts on that subject). At twice the cost the Challenge Grifffos are sweet riding and a larger volume tire. However if you live where it is dry all the time the Ritchie Speed Max is a good value, or look at the other relative slick looking tires with treads on the sides. Tire choice can be pretty important. Maybe get some Muds for this year and ask the locals what tire and why for later decisions. Also remember harder isn't better in cross. PSI less than 50 even with clinchers isn't uncommon in cross.

Has anyone used the Maxxis Raze yet? If so, how does it perform? Details on the conditions would be appreciated. It seems like it was aimed at the same market as the Mud 2 (good all-around tire with excellent mud-shedding design), plus it is a very light tire.

Regards

Jollydriver

I have the same question. I can only find the Mud in 700x 30. Does it come in any other size? I'm sure there's some logic for it, but that seems kind of narrow for a cross tire.

I agree with the Mud 2 suggestion--tons of grip. Very forgiving if you (like me) have poor cornering ability. It rarely washes out and gives me a bit more confidence than others I've tried. I can also run them fairly low (for clinchers) and have never pinch flatted. 40 psi is normally the highest I'll go with the Muds, and lot of times I'll take it down to 35. I weigh 175.

Also, the Muds are labeled as 700x30, but they measure more like 34 or 35...so don't let the 30c branding scare you.

I also have the Maxxis Raze and use them as my spares. They have a very cushy ride, I've found, but the tread isn't as aggressive as the Mud's and the front washes out on me from time to time. I think they are great for dry hardpack or courses with a lot of pavement but for loose or wet courses, or courses with lots of off-camber stuff, I prefer the muds. Or I've ran the Raze in back and the Muds up front...that works good too.

all of those tires will fall short of the challenge grifo open tubular (clincher). it is a god among mere mortals. i used it this weekend at the USGP and on saturday in the mud it worked great, but it also performed amazingly on sunday when it was dry. can be a bit pricey at retail, but i will never use another clincher other than challenge for cross.

the tan sidewalls also look like true tubulars which ups your style points exponentially, and we all know it's not about how well you do but how good you look doing it.

Indy, What pressure did you run? Just askin cause I had one slip off the rim at 42 lbs. I am over two bucks in weight so I am now running at 47-50 ish. I agree 100% with you, that those Griffos are the best clinchers period in my humble opinion. Pricy but worth every penny. And thanks Richard Sachs for selling me a set. I am thinking about getting back in the tubie for cross business next year. Love those low pressures.

well, first of all, i weigh about 138 lbs. i can get away with running less than 25 in the front and have no problems, especially with the grifo since it is high volume for a clincher. that gets a little squishy sometimes on pavement but i think thats what i ran on saturday when it was pretty muddy. i couldnt get the gauge on my pump to work with the valve extenders i was using, so i just went by feel. i probably ran about 28ish front and 34ish rear on sunday when it was dry.

another vote on the mich. mud 2s
although i'd beg to differ with running 50psi
thats way too hard unless its a smooth course, no mud, sand or tough turns.

i never go over 40. and if it's a messy course the front will be about 23-25 and rear around 30

most often, 35-40

The Grifo clinchers may be the bomb, but if price is a factor (and if it weren't we'd all be riding Dugasts and FMBs anyway), it would be pretty foolish to get one pair of Grifos and ride them in all conditions. Just checked cyclocrossworld.com and for the price of one pair of Grifos ($160+tax/shipping), you could buy a pair of Muds for muddy conditions ($74) and a pair of Speedmaxes for dry or sandy conditions ($54) and still have $32 left over for gas money and entry fees!!

I have a very hard time imagining that the advantage Grifos have over Muds in certain conditions (if there is any advantage) outweighs the very definite advantage Speedmaxes (or something similar) have over Grifos in dry conditions. Do not underestimate how important rolling resistance is when conditions are dry and traction is not at a premium. Unless you can get Grifos or Schwalbe Racing Ralphs (also excellent BTW) at way below retail, the Muds really are a no brainer and having a tire quiver without needing a wheel quiver is hands down my favorite advantage of clinchers (although I now wouldn't think of racing without pit wheels, so this advantage is mitigated by that to an extent).

FWIW my speedmaxes kicked butt at Steilacoom (Seattle Series #4) yesterday. Rolled fast on the pavement and all of the pedaling sections and never lost control in any of the corners or the one steep downhill section. I use them in about 1/3 of my races even here in rainy Pac NW.

That being said I like the idea that with Grifos on a set of something like Ksyriums, everybody is going to think you're on tubies. Hey, style counts.

Oh yeah, and support you LBS when you can if they carry cx stuff, just using cxworld as a handy reference.

true, the grifos are pricey, but i was luckily able to get them through my LBS at a discount of $90/pair shipped.

i also own the ritchey speedmax's and have raced the muds, which are nice, but i just feel the grifos have a much more superior casing and they just ride like higher quality tires. and in my opinion the speedmax doesnt offer that much less rolling resistance for dry courses than a grifo that is run at higher pressure than normal.

as for the ksyriums, that is what i run, and it does look like tubies, which really seals the deal for me. plus, i was talking with the guy at the challenge tent at the louisville USGP and he hooked me and my friends up with some sweet challenge hats.

another vote on the mich. mud 2s
although i'd beg to differ with running 50psi
thats way too hard unless its a smooth course, no mud, sand or tough turns.

i never go over 40. and if it's a messy course the front will be about 23-25 and rear around 30

most often, 35-40

Did you run the muds at the boulder cx race? What psi and rims? I went too low and was washing out a bit on corners and couldn't get up enough speed on the flats.

My handling skills stink, so I'm looking for as much improvement as I can get in the My current tires are Ritchey Speed Max 35c, and I tend to slide and fall a lot in slick corners. Just ordered a set of Mud 2s. I'll let you guys know how they perform this Sunday.

If its not wet this weekend, would I be better off running a mix of the Mud2's and the less aggressive Speed Max? If so, which should go on front / rear?

Thanks!

[QUOTE=cam117
If its not wet this weekend, would I be better off running a mix of the Mud2's and the less aggressive Speed Max? If so, which should go on front / rear?

Thanks![/QUOTE]

You tend to get most of your cornering grip from your front wheel so run the more aggresive tire up front and the slicker one out back