OK folks, opinions please: what would be the best clincher tire for racing on snow? I raced yesterday at Sterling, MA and was flailing about the place on my tufo prestige tubular/clinchers, pumped to 35psi with some air let out before the start.
I slid and fell on the running track where the snow was hardest packed - on the first lap which neutralized my front row start and again later just as I crossed the finish line right in front of Richard Fries, who had something to say about it. In between I was enjoying the challenge of my first race in such conditions, but was aware others were having a much easier time than I was in the white stuff..Michelin Muds?

I ran grifo challenge tubulars with ~25psi. Seemed like that was the perfect setup. Low enough that I hit the rim on most bumps.

For clinchers I would say as low as you possibly could go without pinch flating...try 32-35 depending on your weight.

You raced elite women, right?

I ran grifo challenge tubulars with ~25psi. Seemed like that was the perfect setup. Low enough that I hit the rim on most bumps.

For clinchers I would say as low as you possibly could go without pinch flating...try 32-35 depending on your weight.

You raced elite women, right?

Had I raced elite women Richard Fries would have had more to say about my finish. I raced B-master men.

I did the B masters also....and set up the course at Sterling.
No 2 ways about it...it was slippery and corners changed every lap. I almost took out the P.A.system with 2 laps to go with a crash across the finish line( a lot of people went down there through out the day).

Tufo reds do get a little slippery when they age( they get hard).
I ran Tufo yellow lps 32's at around 30lbs and they worked well...but it was slippery.

I set up my team mate's bike with the new Tufo Flexus 32's at around 35lbs....they hooked up really well. I tried them between races and really liked them...but again...the cuourse changed so much that it's hard to do a real comparison.

For clinchers....the Mich muds are hard to beat. But a guy had a set of WTB's that looked good too.

I used Michelin Mud's inflated to about 32-35 pounds (a little more in the back than the front). It was certainly slippery, but so long as I kept my weight a little back and had some rolling momentum, it seemed fine, if not fun.

Fortunately, falling in the snow isn't too painful, as I don't think it can really be altogether avoided.

OK folks, opinions please: what would be the best clincher tire for racing on snow? I raced yesterday at Sterling, MA and was flailing about the place on my tufo prestige tubular/clinchers, pumped to 35psi with some air let out before the start.
I slid and fell on the running track where the snow was hardest packed - on the first lap which neutralized my front row start and again later just as I crossed the finish line right in front of Richard Fries, who had something to say about it. In between I was enjoying the challenge of my first race in such conditions, but was aware others were having a much easier time than I was in the white stuff..Michelin Muds?

i have heard that those tufo's dont have much tread on the sides, as compared to say, the mich. muds.

i used the muds yesterday at sterling, at about 35psi (or maybe a tad lower?), anlthough i slided a bit, i never went down.

i raced at sterling as well and used michelin muds with no problems. granted, it was slippery, but i never went down. after pinch-flatting in plymouth the weekend before i was a little hesitant about running low pressures, so i ran them a bit harder than i normally do. i have used the muds all season and i must say they have been great on everything from wet grass to dry flats and snow. no complaints. (ps. i have a set of the green ones. not sure how much difference that makes.)

OK folks, opinions please: what would be the best clincher tire for racing on snow? I raced yesterday at Sterling, MA and was flailing about the place on my tufo prestige tubular/clinchers, pumped to 35psi with some air let out before the start.
I slid and fell on the running track where the snow was hardest packed - on the first lap which neutralized my front row start and again later just as I crossed the finish line right in front of Richard Fries, who had something to say about it. In between I was enjoying the challenge of my first race in such conditions, but was aware others were having a much easier time than I was in the white stuff..Michelin Muds?


Try a pair of Nokian W-106 studded tires. I ride them in the snow and ice and they are incredibly stable compared to my muds. The only drawback is that they weigh almost 2lbs each.

Thor

Try a pair of Nokian W-106 studded tires. I ride them in the snow and ice and they are incredibly stable compared to my muds. The only drawback is that they weigh almost 2lbs each.

Thor


Studded tires are prohibited in cross races under both UCI and USCF rules. Those are sweet tires though.

Studded tires are prohibited in cross races under both UCI and USCF rules. Those are sweet tires though.

Those killjoys.

Those killjoys.

You wouldnt run them anyway in competition, it would be like dragging a lead weight behind your bike.

I did see McCormack walking to the pits with a pair of studded tires over his shoulder. Not sure what they were for though.

Oh and Powerlink, there was a gal who crashed right at the finish line during the elite race...I figured it was you.

I raced sterling as well. I used a Mich Mud 2 on the front and a Mich Jet on the back, think next year I'll be running Muds on both the front and back unless it's dry out. The Jet wasn't too bad, especially on the deeper snow or on that long straightaway across the finish but they were slipping all over the place on the corners.

By the way, what you guys think of the Kenda Kross Supreme clinchers? I saw a guy at the race with those and they seemed massive. A little overkill or worth it?

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/cyclocrossworld_1872_4382894

Also, what's the difference between the Mud and the Mud2? I've met some guys who prefer the Mud over the Mud2.

Thanks,
Dave

i believe the original muds were the green tires and were made of a different rubber than the new Mud2's, which are the same tread, but different rubber.

i have a set of the green ones and i have been very happy with them. the sidewalls are very pliable, which is something that i think the new ones lack. not sure why michelin stopped making the greeen ones, but i wish they'd bring em back because they are almost impossible to find now.

Decided not to risk another snow day with the red tufos. My mud 2s came in the mail the day before Casters and I must admit they made a big difference. Casters was different from Sterling in that there were some roots on the course and a lot more turns. However with the Muds no pinch flats and no falls made for a much more enjoyable day. Now I'm thinking..snow for Friday's Nats...bring it on!

great reading! I had Tufo elite clincher/tub and slid around but was ok but don't think this tire has great traction. there's nothing on the sides.

at castors prerode with Tufo then Panaracer and felt better but still raced with the Tufo. still learning. not sure if anything would be great through some of those corners. I will say this : the course gets much better as the day goes on. I do elite masters and by noon you start to see more green and brown colors.