Cyclocross Racing - Best Tubular Rim For Cross?

What is the best tubular rim for cross?

I want to build up a set of wheels with tubulars, but I've read mixed opinions about rims. I remember one of the issues being that the radius of road rims doesn't match the radius of a cross tire.

People talked about building up the gap with tubular tape and gobs of glue. Seems there should be a better way.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

The two john's podcast had a tech section last week about cross tubulars. The Mavic reflex got some positive press.

Check it out. I think the tech talk is near the end:
http://www.twojohnspodcast.missingsaddle.com/2008/05/19/podcast-5202008-part-ii/

mavic reflex and velocity escapes. the reflex is marginally wider. i use escape rims. cross tires and road tires are both the same inner diameter - i am not sure where you are getting that confusion from... glue is best, don't use tufo tape, it destroys the basetape.

mavic reflex and velocity escapes. the reflex is marginally wider. i use escape rims. cross tires and road tires are both the same inner diameter - i am not sure where you are getting that confusion from... glue is best, don't use tufo tape, it destroys the basetape.

Thanks for the input.

But back to my post, sorry I didn't clarify. Yes, the inner diameter is the same. But it's actually the cross-sectional radius that's different. A cross tire would have a larger cross sectional radius than a road tire. This leaves a gap between the rim and tire in the mid section. So I've heard of issues where the tires don't glue on well, and have been known to come off.

mavic reflex and velocity escapes. the reflex is marginally wider. i use escape rims. cross tires and road tires are both the same inner diameter - i am not sure where you are getting that confusion from... glue is best, don't use tufo tape, it destroys the basetape.

Thanks, I'll look into those.

here's a good resource. park tools addresses your concern for cross-sectional variances between tires by using more glue to account for any gaps between the basetape and rim surface. I've glued cross tires and road slicks to zipps and alloy rims without issue.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=101

The two john's podcast had a tech section last week about cross tubulars. The Mavic reflex got some positive press.

Check it out. I think the tech talk is near the end:
http://www.twojohnspodcast.missingsaddle.com/2008/05/19/podcast-5202008-part-ii/

Hey, thanks for the pointer. The "twojohns" podcast was great!

I glue AND tape. Never roll a tire that way.

Yep, the local cross guru / bike shop owner / race promoter instructed me that the only PRO way to roll was with both glue and tape.

both glue and tape.


?? never heard of using both

Also known as the Belgium method. Super strong bond and an absolute beatch to remove the tire if/when you need to. The upside to the hard removal is you could run a flat tire and still never roll it. And, it will give you an excuse to buy another set of rims/wheels for use during the road season, as you won't want to remove the cross tires.

Also known as the Belgium method. Super strong bond and an absolute beatch to remove the tire if/when you need to. The upside to the hard removal is you could run a flat tire and still never roll it. And, it will give you an excuse to buy another set of rims/wheels for use during the road season, as you won't want to remove the cross tires.

Could you detail this procedure? I'm about to mount up some 'cross tires to my rims...

well, i took the MLC plunge and grabbed a set of 303 Cyclocross wheels (used). Can't wait to throw some Flexus Sexiness on them!

Very nice. Bound for the 3-race weekend are they?

the UCI race in Madtown? yup - and as many of the WICycling series this year. I will do a few of the CCC races as well (Northbrook for sure), but focusing on WI.