shunter

I'm planning on running my first cross season on a mt. bike. I'm having trouble finding any tires narrower than 1.9 though and I'd definately like something a little narrower and lighter. www.Cyclocrossworld.com has a couple tires for 26" rims and I'm looking at the Hutchinson cross comp set. They're pretty light at 350grams and look like they'd be good in the mud. Anyone have experience with these or have any other suggestions?

Steve

velocipedio

the hutchies are quite good. nice rubber compound with good wear, and they do pretty well at lower pressures thanks to a tight bead. i like the tread pattern quite a bit. don't worry too much about weight, though. in a muddy 'cross race, a few grams of rubber here or there won't make much difference.

aabbas

If they're still available, I recommend the 1.5" version of the Continental Cross Country. I doubt you'll find them mail order, but maybe your LBS can get them.

Alex

shunter

I actually ended up getting the 1.5 conti cross country's at my lbs. Nobody could get the hutchies in time for my first race and they are pretty $$$. I'm really enjoying the contis though. I've done two races with them so far and last weekend was really muddy. I found that I had the traction to get up some of the really nasty stuff when other guys were having to dismount. I'm running about 55-60psi in the rear and about 40psi up front.

Steve

nikos

Steve, Im in the same boat. Im starting my first race this Sunday. I will be running my mtb, I have 1.9s right now, but thinking if I like it that I will get the conti 1.5 - do you think it made a big difference for you? How competitive do you feel against others that are using the cyclocross bikes vs mountain bikes?

Polly

Hello, i started a couple weeks ago in my first cyclocross race, here in Belgium the problem is off course that the lever of the others is very high to start but i think on a cyclocross parcours it's a great difference racing with a mtb or a cross bike, a cross bike is much sharper and thanks to the big wheels you remain longer in the same speed, also is a mtb heavier to wear when you dismount of your bike, but i think racing with a mtb is a good start to try out (here in Belgium you must have a cyclo-cross bike to race cyclo-cross)
Greetzz
Robin

Limba

I think the most important thing is overall fitness then being able to quickly dismount and remount(which I suck at).A real 'cross bike is faster but you're just doing your first race so I wouldn't worry about it.Have fun and practice your remounts.A lot.