Cyclocross - need some help with tyres

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earleybird
06-23-03, 04:18 PM
My g/f is doing an endurance event next w/e including a 50 mile hilly cycle with some gravel tracks mixed with mostly aspahlt.
She had intended to use an MTB but since trying the mountainous route last w/e has decided she would rather use her road bike. This has 700x19 rims and she needs some suitable tyres to fit these rims. (The frame is a basic touring one and there is mudguard clearance and brake drop is 49mm
38mm is way to big what would be a good intermediate tyre to use
MichaelW
06-24-03, 04:56 AM
I use a generous 700cx28mm for mixed road/trail riding. A narrow 32, like panaracer pasela is about the same size. A wider 32mm like continental top touring is probably too sluggish for this style of riding.
earleybird
06-24-03, 01:57 PM
Hi Michael
thanks for your response. This is an area I have no experience as I ride road race only and am usually concerned to buy the lightest, baldest, thinest tyres available..:rolleyes:
The citical dimension is apparently the `bead diameter' 622 in this case. providing the bead dia is the same the tyre of any width will apparently fit to the rim with varying degrees of sucess performance wise. Obviously if you go too wide you run the risk of putting too much stress on the tyre walls and ride /grip will suffer.
Frankly the more I think about this the more I am inclined to recommend a hybrid commuting type tyre with med width (25/28)some grippy tread and relatively low rolling weight for what is predominantly cat 2-3 hills.