Cyclocross Racing - Tire width

What's your preference? I know it varies due to your area/terrain, but I was hoping people could weigh in on this nonetheless.

In Northern California, we mostly have loose, dry dirt. I'm getting some Challenge Grifo tubulars, and I can't decide between 32 and 34mm widths. I ran 32mm Vittoria Evo XGs, and slipped in a few more corners than I would have likes (although this was likely due to noob skills).

I think you should always go wider unless you are dealing with mud or slushy snow.

I think you should always go wider unless you are dealing with mud or slushy snow.What this guy said.

I'm in Norcal as well. I'm ordering 34's this season.

Northeast here. I run 32's but we deal with quite a bit of mud and some possible snow later in the season.

I think you should always go wider unless you are dealing with mud or slushy snow.

How far would you push this?

The first race of the year here is about 75% dry, matted straw and 25% loose dirt and likely to be bone dry. It's got one major hill that was a bear to run up. I've been toying with the idea of taking my 29er/monster cross bike. It weighs about 8 pounds more than my CX bikes and has a sloped top tube, but I was thinking that between the 22-32 low gear to get up that hill and the option of 29x2.1 tires that it might work. What do you think?

What do you think?I think you should practice your run-ups.

You're asking a guy named "fatroadie" what he'd do on a major hill?

I'd pass out, that's what I'd do.

I'd pass out, that's what I'd do.

I tried that last year. It wasn't good for my finish position.

I need someone to tell me that flargle isn't right. ;)

He is right. You should definitely practice your run ups.

I don't know if this is urban legend or not but from what I understand Challenge and most other manufacturers put the same tread from the size 32 on the size 34 so I always get 32's. The idea being that the side knobs on the 34 won't be where they are supposed to be, they will be a little higher up.

Actually, this is what I Was just told by a teammate. Same exact tread, just more volume for a "squishier" and more balloon-like ride. I also race single speed, so I need the least amount of power loss I can get. I'm going with 32s.

I don't know if this is urban legend or not but from what I understand Challenge and most other manufacturers put the same tread from the size 32 on the size 34 so I always get 32's. The idea being that the side knobs on the 34 won't be where they are supposed to be, they will be a little higher up.More of a theoretical concern than a practical one IMO.

But even staying in the realm of theory, a 34mm tire has 6.25% greater circumference but 12.9% greater volume of air. The latter trumps the former, because you will get lower rolling resistance and arguably better traction even with the "undersized" tread.

I don't know if this is urban legend or not but from what I understand Challenge and most other manufacturers put the same tread from the size 32 on the size 34 so I always get 32's. The idea being that the side knobs on the 34 won't be where they are supposed to be, they will be a little higher up.


Articles by Matt Pacocha and Zinn from Velonews say the same thing. Challenge puts the same width tread on different size casings which make their 32s 'much better' than their 34s.

I think it depends on course conditions in concert with the brand of tire. Some brands 34s are other 32s. I am opting for skinnier tires this season based on advice from a couple of local pros. Last year I ran 34 Fango's, this year 32 Typhoons. The main reason to go wider is if some/all of your courses are bumpy/rocky, otherwise you might be wasting your time with wider.

Andy, I think unless you can bunny-hop the barrier just before that run up, you will be carrying an extra eight pounds up the hill.

That said, I think you should try it anyway, so I can watch :)

Hey, Thom. I was actually thinking of Pain on the Peak. Last year, at least, it didn't have a barrier before the run-up. It did have a 90 degree turn though. One of the juniors rode it.

Oh, I was thinkin of Alpenrose. Which, actually, I did watch someone remount after the barrier and ride, Once.