Over the past couple of weeks, I have been reading archives from this board based on searches for different tire brands and general queries. While I have learned a lot about tires and tire choices as applied to different situations, my head is spinning from the load of information. So.....I am posting my own question and would appreciate any feedback.

I am planning on doing as many cross races as I can get to this season and will be in the C and/or B class. I am 145lbs and have a Bianchi Axis with the Alex wheels as well as some Shimano 540(?)s from my road bike. I am riding the Kenda Kwicks that came stock on the bike and have not had any problems with them(running them as low as 50lbs). However, I do want to put a different tire on the shimanos to take as an extra to races. Though I am only doing intro level racing, I have to drive anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to get to them and want a little back up for when conditions change or things go wrong. I have seen some of the courses where the races will be, mostly grass, a little single track and some dirt.....or if it rains...wet grass, narrow mud and mud puddles. The Kwiks are 700x35, so maybe something different would be good, and I can always mix and match the set.

Sorry for the long post....thanks for any advice.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been reading archives from this board based on searches for different tire brands and general queries. While I have learned a lot about tires and tire choices as applied to different situations, my head is spinning from the load of information. So.....I am posting my own question and would appreciate any feedback.

I am planning on doing as many cross races as I can get to this season and will be in the C and/or B class. I am 145lbs and have a Bianchi Axis with the Alex wheels as well as some Shimano 540(?)s from my road bike. I am riding the Kenda Kwicks that came stock on the bike and have not had any problems with them(running them as low as 50lbs). However, I do want to put a different tire on the shimanos to take as an extra to races. Though I am only doing intro level racing, I have to drive anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to get to them and want a little back up for when conditions change or things go wrong. I have seen some of the courses where the races will be, mostly grass, a little single track and some dirt.....or if it rains...wet grass, narrow mud and mud puddles. The Kwiks are 700x35, so maybe something different would be good, and I can always mix and match the set.

Sorry for the long post....thanks for any advice.

For clinchers i find Michelin Muds to work great in just about all conditions. They may not be the best for fast grass or sticky mud but for the most part do it all better than others i've tried. The Kenda Kwicks are horrible on wet/slippery grass & if you are running them at 50 psi, they could be deadly on hardpack & high speeds too. I guess im just used to my tubbies at 35psi (I'm 165ish). Our team is actually sponsored by Kenda but i just use them for training & riding the road.

Another thing to note is that many will say how the Muds have a lot of rolling resistance because of the larger knobbies but honestly in cross, you'll notice the lack of traction before you notice the resistance. So, if i were to only have two sets of wheels (clincher) I'd run Muds on one, Jets (or some other kind of fast smooth semi slick) on the other & maybe carry a backup of Muds in case the course turns to slop. Thats my .02cents.

DP

I rode two types of Kendas (a generic type set and the Kross Supremes that came with my Jake) and found that swtiching to the Muds was a definite upgrade on a course with mud that was slick in some spots and almost frozen in others. The Muds seem more supple and had better traction. I weigh 210lbs and rode the Muds at about 45 to 50 psi. David K

I would use Michelin Jets ONLY in dry conditions.
They do NOT work in muddy/snowy/icy conditions at all!

I'll third the michelin muds, I like their performance so much I started using my clincher wheels over my tubular (Tufos) last year. It's a trade off between much better grip but a harsher ride since you've got to run higher pressures on the clinchers.

I'll third the michelin muds, I like their performance so much I started using my clincher wheels over my tubular (Tufos) last year. It's a trade off between much better grip but a harsher ride since you've got to run higher pressures on the clinchers.

I wish i could afford to send some Muds off to Dugast & have them build some sweet tubbies with them. I also heard that Stans was coming out with a kit to run tubless in your cross/road wheels. That might be an option. I know a couple of guys who experimented with it last year with some success.

DP

I wish i could afford to send some Muds off to Dugast & have them build some sweet tubbies with them.

Yeah me too, as soon as I hit the lottery :)

Thanks for the responses. I will give the Muds a try.

two I hate--conti twister and nokian ravagaa (sp) cross--both get all spooky when you get them on the side of the tire

Two I love-- vittoria master cross and tigre--wire or folding, they are a super tire for training or racing