why not 'cross tires?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
why not 'cross tires?
What is so terrible about using cyclocross tires, like Ritchey Speedmax that come stock on Surly Cross Checks, for commuting on mostly pavement? (I'm not talking about going out of your way to buy 'cross tires for my commuter, but if you just have them lying around...)
Are you the disadvantages so great, that you should really avoid using them like the plague? I think the disadvantages like increased rolling resistance and decreased cornering might be overstated, but I'd like to hear anyone's anecdotal stories.
Are you the disadvantages so great, that you should really avoid using them like the plague? I think the disadvantages like increased rolling resistance and decreased cornering might be overstated, but I'd like to hear anyone's anecdotal stories.
#2
Certified Bike Brat
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 4,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
If you have them and are just commuting and just want to avoid buying tires - by all means use them!
People buy mtb styled city bikes with knobby tires and most of them never leave paved bike paths.
Agreed, CX tires aren't an ideal choice, but for commuting, they'll certainly get you there.
People buy mtb styled city bikes with knobby tires and most of them never leave paved bike paths.
Agreed, CX tires aren't an ideal choice, but for commuting, they'll certainly get you there.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
If you've got them, wear them down and get some use out of them.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you have them and are just commuting and just want to avoid buying tires - by all means use them!
People buy mtb styled city bikes with knobby tires and most of them never leave paved bike paths.
t
Agreed, CX tires aren't an ideal choice, but for commuting, they'll certainly get you there.
People buy mtb styled city bikes with knobby tires and most of them never leave paved bike paths.
t
Agreed, CX tires aren't an ideal choice, but for commuting, they'll certainly get you there.
Last edited by SurlyLaika; 02-22-12 at 04:50 PM.
#5
Senior Member
ritchey speedmax cross on the commuter. Good for fresh snow, long wearing, and trips off the trail now and then. If I only rode dry pavement then I couldn't see the use either. Not impressed with flat resistance so far, but it could have just bee an unlucky month.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I crashed today, really slow...turning into my driveway. There were cars coming by, so I was just coasting waiting to turn in. I passed my drive way by a few feet. Then, I think I made a sharp, but slow turn and I just fell on my left side. Lucky there were no cars on either side. It probably was a sharp turn, but I have never had that happen to me, ever...until I put the Ritchey Speedmax Cross tires on last week.
The PSI is only 75, so lower than I even ran on the Marathons and I notice a whirling sound when I lean into turn and use the outer edges of the tire where the knobbies are more pronounced. That sound kind of throws me off like something is wrong. Is it possible I crashed because of the knobbies? Or was it just too sharp of a turn?
And how much slower on average than skinnies do you think knobbies go? I don't have a bike computer, so there's no way I can be sure how much slower they are.
The PSI is only 75, so lower than I even ran on the Marathons and I notice a whirling sound when I lean into turn and use the outer edges of the tire where the knobbies are more pronounced. That sound kind of throws me off like something is wrong. Is it possible I crashed because of the knobbies? Or was it just too sharp of a turn?
And how much slower on average than skinnies do you think knobbies go? I don't have a bike computer, so there's no way I can be sure how much slower they are.
#7
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The sound of knobs is normal. The only things I can think of is that cross tires, like MTB tires, will probably wear off quicker on asphalt and that knobby tires may provide worse traction on hard surface, due to less rubber contact with the pavement. Although I doubt it was the reason for your fall, the traction is not THAT worse. I rode on knobbies and never had problems other than noise and extra drag.
When you fell, did the front wheel skid or you just lost balance? But really, I doubt it was because of the tires.
When you fell, did the front wheel skid or you just lost balance? But really, I doubt it was because of the tires.
#8
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,788
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Who's to decide what's best for their commute?
Does the experience of any other rider matter?
The answers are: That individual rider, and only when they discuss identical equipment or conditions.
I commute on a Kona Coiler Supreme, full suspension MTB, 2.1 tires, and I absolutely could not care less what anyone else thinks about its "efficiency". If you, the doubter, are such a p()$$y that you need to ride easy all the time, then by all means, do so. MY commute isn't just an A-to-B, it's a RIDE. EVERY ride I take has two purposes -- to go where I want or need to go, and to enjoy the journey. The Kona enables me to do that like no skinny-tired bike can.
The Japanese have said: "It is not the destination that matters, but the path to it." Time on the bike is ALWAYS quality time, to be treasured.
Does the experience of any other rider matter?
The answers are: That individual rider, and only when they discuss identical equipment or conditions.
I commute on a Kona Coiler Supreme, full suspension MTB, 2.1 tires, and I absolutely could not care less what anyone else thinks about its "efficiency". If you, the doubter, are such a p()$$y that you need to ride easy all the time, then by all means, do so. MY commute isn't just an A-to-B, it's a RIDE. EVERY ride I take has two purposes -- to go where I want or need to go, and to enjoy the journey. The Kona enables me to do that like no skinny-tired bike can.
The Japanese have said: "It is not the destination that matters, but the path to it." Time on the bike is ALWAYS quality time, to be treasured.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Castle Rock, CO
Posts: 332
Bikes: '09 Gary Fisher "Kaitai, '09 Raleigh Team", '91 Trek 8700, '97 Cannondale SR500, '12 Raleigh Twin Six
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I tried commuting on some CX tires and made two key observations that made me change them out in short order.
1) The tires I tried were a little too aggressive for street use.....may have been good in the winter, but the rolling resistance was terrible and the ride was rough. My commute is 23 miles each way. As the distance increases, rolling resistance and efficiency become more important.
2) The CX tire did not corner well at speed (on pavement). There are a couple of stretches on my commute that regularly see me at speeds around 45mph. While they never lost traction, I could feel the tread flexing in transition from the center strip to the side lugs when getting into a deep corner, and I didn't feel safe with them.
1) The tires I tried were a little too aggressive for street use.....may have been good in the winter, but the rolling resistance was terrible and the ride was rough. My commute is 23 miles each way. As the distance increases, rolling resistance and efficiency become more important.
2) The CX tire did not corner well at speed (on pavement). There are a couple of stretches on my commute that regularly see me at speeds around 45mph. While they never lost traction, I could feel the tread flexing in transition from the center strip to the side lugs when getting into a deep corner, and I didn't feel safe with them.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PNW - Victoria, BC
Posts: 1,486
Bikes: 2002 Litespeed Vortex - 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 - 2004 Redline Conquest Pro - Specialized S-Works Festina Team Model - 93 Cannondale M 800 Beast of the East
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I agree with the run 'em till you burn 'em up approach. That you fell today is very possibly not related. I've fallen doing something silly (trying to get a piece of garbage in a small opening of a garbage can while rolling) on perfectly smooth pavement, and perfectly good (nearly brand new) road tires. Man did I feel like a tool. We all fall eventually. Someone posted a Lance Armstrong quote somewhere yesterday (can't remembe where) which basically stated "if you're worried about falling, you'd never get on the bike". Truer words never spoken.
They will not corner on pavement as well as road tires, but you know that going in. Take it easy while cornering, and buy good road tires when you've burned 'em up.
They will not corner on pavement as well as road tires, but you know that going in. Take it easy while cornering, and buy good road tires when you've burned 'em up.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't know. I was seriously coasting. I wasn't going fast at all, I missed by turn by 8 feet, made the turn and before I knew it, I was on the ground. It's always such a shock to crash like, "wtf just happened?" I'm still trying to figure out what I did wrong, so I can avoid the same mistake in the future. It might have been too sharp of a turn, but I had no idea. It happened so fast. No skid, though. Just fall. Haha...With my other tires, I feel like I can tell when I'm turning to sharp. Maybe these cross tires are so fluffy that I didn't get that warning feedback. Anyways, yea...I think I could make do with them. I figure they're at least half road tires, right? I've been warned away from them like it'd ruined my bike before, so I was just asking why no one rides knobbies.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Really? In the sense that they're hard riding over potholes, cracks, and uneven road surfaces and that they feel like a jackhammer on your hands and rear? I've heard Armadillo's feel like riding on solid rubber tires. At the recommended PSI, that is so true. A very rough ride. That's why I always run them at 15 PSI below the recommended 115-125 PSI. I read that Gatorskins offered the same flat protection, but with a cushier ride. I was planning on buying some Gatorskins as my next set of good tires.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PNW - Victoria, BC
Posts: 1,486
Bikes: 2002 Litespeed Vortex - 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 - 2004 Redline Conquest Pro - Specialized S-Works Festina Team Model - 93 Cannondale M 800 Beast of the East
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I didn't think that my Gatorskins were all that terrible (now of course I do :-\) but no, they aren't the most supple tires in the world. It's all a trade-off. Anytime you rate puncture protection and longevity as your primary concerns, you're going to sacrifice feel and grip. The tires I've been using for the past 4 years are the Ultremo DD tires. Great feel and grip in a puncture protected tire, but they don't last long and they are quite expensive. Gatorskins will last quite a bit longer and are much less expensive, but once you've become accustomed to buttery smooth tires that grip like crazy, it's hard to go back.
That said, Gatorskins will be a marked improvement over cross tires without a doubt.
That said, Gatorskins will be a marked improvement over cross tires without a doubt.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Posts: 6,341
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 550 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times
in
226 Posts
With 180 pounds of rider, 15 of luggage, and 90-95 psi front and 95-100 psi rear my 700x25 Gatorskins ride nice enough. About like GP4 seasons but longer wearing and maybe with a little less rolling resistance. Not as nice as GP4000S. Way better than Armadillos and older (Ultrasports?) Continental designs.
#16
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PNW - Victoria, BC
Posts: 1,486
Bikes: 2002 Litespeed Vortex - 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 - 2004 Redline Conquest Pro - Specialized S-Works Festina Team Model - 93 Cannondale M 800 Beast of the East
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 206
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cross tires aren't so bad for commuting. Once you wear them in a bit they are pretty quick. If you're going to use them try and find a set with a rounder profile as opposed to squared off edges. Makes for a better cornering tire on pavement.
I rode my fastest ever work commute to work with cross tires...
I rode my fastest ever work commute to work with cross tires...
#19
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't know. I was seriously coasting. I wasn't going fast at all, I missed by turn by 8 feet, made the turn and before I knew it, I was on the ground. It's always such a shock to crash like, "wtf just happened?" I'm still trying to figure out what I did wrong, so I can avoid the same mistake in the future. It might have been too sharp of a turn, but I had no idea. It happened so fast. No skid, though. Just fall. Haha...With my other tires, I feel like I can tell when I'm turning to sharp. Maybe these cross tires are so fluffy that I didn't get that warning feedback. Anyways, yea...I think I could make do with them. I figure they're at least half road tires, right? I've been warned away from them like it'd ruined my bike before, so I was just asking why no one rides knobbies.
Oh, and about falling at slow speeds, LOL It happened to me many times. I think you just lower your guard and easily get caught... well, off guard. The last one was when I leaned over my handlebars WHILE STOPPED to check my pannier's hook, and the next thing I knew I was on my four. Embarrassing.
#20
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Nothing wrong with running cross tires, if that's what you want to do... actually some of them can be very good in snow. One thing to keep in mind is that some knobbies wear out very fast and have very little flat protection. Personally I've had very good results with Schwalbe CX Comp and CX Pro ,they roll good on pavement, have good traction in all conditions, reasonable tread wear, good flat resistence, and good for riding off road trails.
#21
nashcommguy
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: nashville, tn
Posts: 2,499
Bikes: Commuters: Fuji Delray road, Fuji Discovery mtb...Touring: Softride Traveler...Road: C-dale SR300
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My CX commuter came w/30mm cx tires stock. Had 2 flats in 2 weeks. Changed them out for some 28mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus' and had 2 flats in 3 years.
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I tried commuting on some CX tires and made two key observations that made me change them out in short order.
1) The tires I tried were a little too aggressive for street use.....may have been good in the winter, but the rolling resistance was terrible and the ride was rough. My commute is 23 miles each way. As the distance increases, rolling resistance and efficiency become more important.
2) The CX tire did not corner well at speed (on pavement). There are a couple of stretches on my commute that regularly see me at speeds around 45mph. While they never lost traction, I could feel the tread flexing in transition from the center strip to the side lugs when getting into a deep corner, and I didn't feel safe with them.
1) The tires I tried were a little too aggressive for street use.....may have been good in the winter, but the rolling resistance was terrible and the ride was rough. My commute is 23 miles each way. As the distance increases, rolling resistance and efficiency become more important.
2) The CX tire did not corner well at speed (on pavement). There are a couple of stretches on my commute that regularly see me at speeds around 45mph. While they never lost traction, I could feel the tread flexing in transition from the center strip to the side lugs when getting into a deep corner, and I didn't feel safe with them.
by the way, a 46 mile round trip commute is really respectable. I do 18 miles one way in about an hour and a half, but the way back stretches out to two hours. I guess I'm tired after.
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nothing wrong with running cross tires, if that's what you want to do... actually some of them can be very good in snow. One thing to keep in mind is that some knobbies wear out very fast and have very little flat protection. Personally I've had very good results with Schwalbe CX Comp and CX Pro ,they roll good on pavement, have good traction in all conditions, reasonable tread wear, good flat resistence, and good for riding off road trails.
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cross tires aren't so bad for commuting. Once you wear them in a bit they are pretty quick. If you're going to use them try and find a set with a rounder profile as opposed to squared off edges. Makes for a better cornering tire on pavement.
I rode my fastest ever work commute to work with cross tires...
I rode my fastest ever work commute to work with cross tires...
The music in your video makes me laugh. It sounds like a video game. Do you remember your average speed?
#25
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Hm, well I'll be going to Korea next month for a whole year. I hear it snows there in the winter. Never seen snow in the city, only when we drive up to the mountains. Maybe I'll save my cross tires for snowy commuting. How different are they from studded winter tires?
some skinny knobbies can do just fine.