Cyclocross - CX tires that fit road bikes

Please list anything you know that fits. I think it has to be something no more then 32mm wide AND small knobs.

Want to use a road frame for CX. I'll do 10 events/year max so don't want to buy a CX bike just for that. And my old road bike is underutilized. All local shops only carry 35mm+ and none of them fit. I need to place a special order but no return on those so want to make sure I'll be good.

Please and thank You,

Probably help to know what bike and fork you have, as every bike is different. Many road bikes will fit nothing large than a 23 these days.

specialized houffallized are 32mm
michelin jet and mud2 are 30mm

BUT these sizes will vary depending on your rim width.

the frame is an eighties Italian road frame. not sure exactly about rim size, but they're quite narrow. up until now i've only had 23mm slicks on them. the smallest XC tire i've been able to find locally is 35mm, and that just barely did not fit. rubbed just a little bit on the brake, seat stay bridge, and chain stains. not enough to really slow one down but enough to piss off everyone within ear distance with the noise it made every time it rubbed.

thanks

Kenda Kwick is 700x30

thanks. just ordered some Kenda Kwicks. found some online for under $20/each (plus shipping of course)

BTW, i can't believe that this isn't something that comes up more often. i just assumed that most people doing CX just reuse a road bike. every shop i went to looking for these tires told me that everyone that does CX buys a purpose bike and so there is no demand for CX tires that fit road frames.

also, just found out the Schwalbe CX Pro Sport Tire (700x30c) is another narrow XC tire.

My CX bike came with the Kenda Kwicks and although I ride slicks right now, I was happy with the Kwick tires. Certainly a good value if you're looking for skinny, CX knobbies. Also, I hear that rather than a pure road bike, it is common to convert old touring frames to a CX build as they tend to have a bit more tire clearance.

Kenda Kwick is 700x30

Major suckage. Probably the most disappointing tire I've ever purchased.

The Wtb All Terrainasaurus MTB Tire comes 700 x 32.

Please list anything you know that fits. I think it has to be something no more then 32mm wide AND small knobs.

Want to use a road frame for CX. I'll do 10 events/year max so don't want to buy a CX bike just for that. And my old road bike is underutilized. All local shops only carry 35mm+ and none of them fit. I need to place a special order but no return on those so want to make sure I'll be good.

Please and thank You,

You will also need mud clearence around the seat stays, chain stays, fork and brakes.

Your tires might clear when everything is clean but mud will be your next problem.

Can you find an old touring bike or rigid mountain bike that takes really big tires?

Michael

Vittoria XN claims 32 and the clincher, at least, is more like a 28. File tread is as small as treads get. No good for mud.

Major suckage. Probably the most disappointing tire I've ever purchased.

The Wtb All Terrainasaurus MTB Tire comes 700 x 32.

yep. i've used these tires on my faux cross road bike. i gotta tell you, pavement to gravel transition wasn't as smooth as i'd hoped. i've got the bruises/scrapes to prove it.

they're decent tires for the price but there's better.

...and as stated above, you'll need mud clearance even if the tires fit. i just noticed when i put my slick contis back on that the paint inside the seatstays were rubbed off. hooray.

the michelins measure more like 34 or most rims

specialized houffallized are 32mm
michelin jet and mud2 are 30mm

BUT these sizes will vary depending on your rim width.

the michelins measure more like 34 or most rims

Yep.

here's the XN 32c on a non-cyclocross frame. used with long reach calipers in the front.

panaracer makes a 700x30 cx tire with lo profile knobs. doubt it would fit a short reach (new standard) brakes, will fit a frame with old standard (new 'long reach') brakes.

I did my first few cross races on an old steel road bike with 32mm Richey Speedmax. They left no room at all, but the wheels stayed true and the courses were dry so it worked.

this link has most cross tires available.. I use ritcheys 32c..

http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/clinchers.html

thanks. just ordered some Kenda Kwicks. found some online for under $20/each (plus shipping of course)

BTW, i can't believe that this isn't something that comes up more often. i just assumed that most people doing CX just reuse a road bike. every shop i went to looking for these tires told me that everyone that does CX buys a purpose bike and so there is no demand for CX tires that fit road frames.

also, just found out the Schwalbe CX Pro Sport Tire (700x30c) is another narrow XC tire.

I have seen these successfully shoved into a Tarmac E5. Just clears the short-reach calipers Another really skinny one is the older wire bead Speedmax with the tan sidewall... marketed as a 30, more like a 27.

Find an old road frame built for 27" wheels and put on 700c wheels with fat tires. It works in a pinch and will give you a lot more options for tires. Also, you won't hate life when you're slogging through the mud.

I have a mid-80's Miyata 710 road frame that will just barely clear 28mm slicks, so don't be surprised if you can't put the knobbies onto an Italian road frame, since those have something of a reputation for tight clearances, at least amongst racing bikes.

You will also need mud clearence around the seat stays, chain stays, fork and brakes.

Your tires might clear when everything is clean but mud will be your next problem.

Can you find an old touring bike or rigid mountain bike that takes really big tires?

Michael

Yep. This was me last fall. I put Kenda Kwicks on my old Trek 660. Worked great in September on a dusty course. Not so great in November on a muddy course. I'm hoping to have a proper CX bike for next season.

But if you're just looking to bop around on dry fire trails or canal paths, this is a cheap and easy way to do it.