conversion to cross help?
 

I have a Jamis Quest that is several years old. It has Mavic Cosmos 6106 622x15 rims and Hutchinson Reflex 700x23c tires on it.

I would like to take it on a dirt and gravel path. As I understand it, my current setup would not do a dirt and gravel path, but a cyclocross bike would. What do I need to change out?

The deciding factor is usually the frame and forks. If you can't fit pretty wide tyres, the bike couldn't really be called a cyclocross bike. However, this does not mean that you cannot use it for riding dirt roads and cycling paths. You can do that just fine with narrow road tyres. But you would be better off fitting the widest slick tyres that fit between your forks/rear stays/brakes. You should be able to at least get 700*25c tyres in, maybe even 700*28c.

Have fun!

How do I tell how wide a tire I can fit?

Is the 23, 25, 28, in millimeters?

Do you have a preferred tire?

different brands are different sizes, so it depends. just try whatever brand of large tire that will fit.

i've got an old 80's steel road bike that i use as a spare cross bike. it fits 35mm cross tires of certain brands.

i also sometimes ride my road bike on an 8 mile dirt road with 23mm tires, so it is possible depending on the road