Cyclocross - 1st-time crosser: looking for durable tires for training, other tips.

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steaktaco
04-14-09, 06:55 PM
Okay, you know how you're supposed to use whatever junk you have lying around to build your cross bike? Well... besides my sketchy ebay frameset (carbon steerer/rear triangle), I've gathered sketchy leftover road crap (carbon bars/stem/cranks), sketchy wheels (Neuvations), and everything else I need to build up a bike. All I need now are tires.

For me to get to the local trails, I'll need to ride a mile on asphalt and then a few blocks worth of gravel fire roads. And then the trails themselves are a mix of hard-pack single track, sharp rocks, and roots.

Can someone recommend a tire that would wear pretty well over this stuff. I don't mind if it's not very supple and grippy, I probably won't be maxing out the traction as I'm just a beginner. I'd rather have something more durable that I could relegate to dry race duty at the beginning of the season.

I'm really apprehensive about the carbon steerer. Can anyone offer any insights? I hear carbon explodes really big.

Also, JumpStop vs. double ring guards. Which one will win?

Thanks.

Cynikal
04-14-09, 07:28 PM
Can someone recommend a tire that would wear pretty well over this stuff. I don't mind if it's not very supple and grippy, I probably won't be maxing out the traction as I'm just a beginner. I'd rather have something more durable that I could relegate to dry race duty at the beginning of the season.

Ritchey Speed Maxs.


I'm really apprehensive about the carbon steerer. Can anyone offer any insights? I hear carbon explodes really big.
If the fork in designed for cross (like canti bosses and whatnot) then it should be fine. I completely understand your concern, I just bought a bike with a EC90X and I was also worried. Several of buddies have the same fork and ride much harder than I do so I went for it. Plus, they are crazy light.


Also, JumpStop vs. double ring guards. Which one will win?
The jumpstop method gave me a better chain line on my Poprad, plus the inner ring guard hit the stay. That was the decider for me. I would mock it up and see what works better.
steaktaco
04-15-09, 11:24 AM
... plus the inner ring guard hit the stay. That was the decider for me. I would mock it up and see what works better.

DingDingDing... that settles it. Jumpstop for me.