Cyclocross - CX tires less likely to puncture than Road tires?

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mustang1
11-30-08, 02:58 PM
I have a road bike and have used 23mm Michelin Krylion in the past which have been great against flats; now I'm using 23mm Conti Gatorskins which I hope will give even better flat protection.

On to Cyclocross bikes, are the wider CX tires (eg 32mm width found on, say, a Tricross) less likely to have flats due to:

1. Load being spread over a larger road-contact area and
2. There is more grip on a CX tire so sharp objects are less likely to penetrate through to the tube?

(assuming I stay inflated at max PSI to avoid pinch-flats).

Ps: is it my imagination, or is the Cyclocross thread not very active? Maybe CX guys spend more time on their bikes than here :)

flargle
11-30-08, 04:40 PM
No. No. The latter.
FlashBazbo
11-30-08, 05:02 PM
All things being equal, cyclocross tires tend to flat less because they generally run a lot less pressure than "road" tires. Less pressure allows the tire to give rather than puncturing (sometimes). Cyclocross racing tires can tend to be just as thin in construction as road racing tires. OTOH, it seems that "tough" tires are more available in cyclocross sizes.

flargle
11-30-08, 07:21 PM
All things being equal, cyclocross tires tend to flat less because they generally run a lot less pressure than "road" tires. Less pressure allows the tire to give rather than puncturing (sometimes). Just the opposite is true.
jonestr
11-30-08, 08:06 PM
FWIW I run lots of Stan's in my tires, but I do live in goat head country
FlashBazbo
12-01-08, 04:55 AM
Just the opposite is true.

If you'll do five minutes' worth of research, you will find that tire designers and manufacturers agree with me. Start with Vittoria and Michelin and move on from there.
Mtn Mike
12-01-08, 05:19 AM
In general cyclocross tires are just as likely to flat as road tires.
mustang1
12-02-08, 01:56 PM
My MTB tires didn't flat for 15 years. On the same rubber. On the same tubes. FIFTEEN YEARS I TELL YOU!!!
carlfreddy
12-02-08, 07:02 PM
My MTB tires didn't flat for 15 years. On the same rubber. On the same tubes. FIFTEEN YEARS I TELL YOU!!!

You're doing it wrong.




In all seriousness, I've not yet punctured a CX clincher, but I did manage to puncture my CX tubulars. Nothing a bit of Tufo Sealant couldn't fix though.
BrianN
12-02-08, 07:43 PM
I've flatted my cross tires so many times I could puke. GOD I HATE PINCH FLATS! Man, tufo sealant is wonderful stuff. Last race on the last lap, PSSHHHHHTFP. The "FP" part is when the sealant kicked in. Only lost a tiny bit of air.

I suggest Quality tubes (removable core) and some tufo sealant. Run whatever tires put a huge smile on your face.