Monstercross for the Dirty Kanza?
01-11-14, 08:31 PM
#1
Have bike, will travel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
158 Posts
Monstercross for the Dirty Kanza?
I'm new to participating in the Dirty Kanza, and I have signed up for the 100 mile length.
My question concerns tire size. Would a larger tire on a Monstercross bike provide an advantage? Would a 700x47 have a benefit over the lighter 700x40?
Keep in mind the smaller tire goes on a lighter bike that is normally faster, but I'm interested in the bigger-is-better concept on rugged gravel.
My question concerns tire size. Would a larger tire on a Monstercross bike provide an advantage? Would a 700x47 have a benefit over the lighter 700x40?
Keep in mind the smaller tire goes on a lighter bike that is normally faster, but I'm interested in the bigger-is-better concept on rugged gravel.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
01-12-14, 12:18 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 1,134
Bikes: Borealis Echo, Ground Up Designs Ti Cross bike, Xtracycle, GT mod trials bike, pixie race machine
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
DK is notoriously hard on tires and bodies. I have never done the race but have researched it quite a lot and it seems most lean towards the highest volume tires they can fit and look for a less aggressive tread pattern.
01-29-14, 09:50 PM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I rode the 100 last year. I weighed 220 and I carried an additional 15lbs of gear. I rode a carbon Santa Cruz Highball(STIFF!) with Clement MSO 40c's, and they performed great. Properly inflated, they were cushy enough for everything except the hard packed washboard sections. I will be using them or the Clement USH 35c in the 200 this year.
Something to consider, it is very windy and very hilly. I logged over 7000ft of cumulative elevation gain, so think long and hard before you mount a heavy, wide tire.
Chris
Something to consider, it is very windy and very hilly. I logged over 7000ft of cumulative elevation gain, so think long and hard before you mount a heavy, wide tire.
Chris
01-30-14, 08:00 AM
#4
Have bike, will travel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
158 Posts
I rode the 100 last year. I weighed 220 and I carried an additional 15lbs of gear. I rode a carbon Santa Cruz Highball(STIFF!) with Clement MSO 40c's, and they performed great. Properly inflated, they were cushy enough for everything except the hard packed washboard sections. I will be using them or the Clement USH 35c in the 200 this year.
Something to consider, it is very windy and very hilly. I logged over 7000ft of cumulative elevation gain, so think long and hard before you mount a heavy, wide tire.
Chris
Something to consider, it is very windy and very hilly. I logged over 7000ft of cumulative elevation gain, so think long and hard before you mount a heavy, wide tire.
Chris
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
02-24-14, 04:40 PM
#5
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,299
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1443 Post(s)
Liked 713 Times
in
367 Posts
I did DK 200 last year on Schwalbe Marathons 700c x 40, with no flats. Only issue was mud clearance on my cyclocross bike where 40mm was pushing it.
Based on the number people I saw with flats, I think you want something wider than standard 32mm cross tires.
But you've got 10,000 feet of climbing, so going too big on the tires is going to cost you weight wise.
Also I think you want a tire with a fiarly smooth tread. Only on the roughest steepest sections did I want more traction. And most of the race I enjoyed he lower roling resistance of a road/touring type tread.
I think a 38-40mm tire with belts under the tread, and sidewalls is the best choice. I'd skip the monster cross if your other option can use a 38mm tire.
FWIW I don't recall seeing anyone last year on a really wide tired bike.
Based on the number people I saw with flats, I think you want something wider than standard 32mm cross tires.
But you've got 10,000 feet of climbing, so going too big on the tires is going to cost you weight wise.
Also I think you want a tire with a fiarly smooth tread. Only on the roughest steepest sections did I want more traction. And most of the race I enjoyed he lower roling resistance of a road/touring type tread.
I think a 38-40mm tire with belts under the tread, and sidewalls is the best choice. I'd skip the monster cross if your other option can use a 38mm tire.
FWIW I don't recall seeing anyone last year on a really wide tired bike.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
02-25-14, 09:05 PM
#6
Have bike, will travel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
158 Posts
I did DK 200 last year on Schwalbe Marathons 700c x 40, with no flats. Only issue was mud clearance on my cyclocross bike where 40mm was pushing it.
Based on the number people I saw with flats, I think you want something wider than standard 32mm cross tires.
But you've got 10,000 feet of climbing, so going too big on the tires is going to cost you weight wise.
Also I think you want a tire with a fiarly smooth tread. Only on the roughest steepest sections did I want more traction. And most of the race I enjoyed he lower roling resistance of a road/touring type tread.
I think a 38-40mm tire with belts under the tread, and sidewalls is the best choice. I'd skip the monster cross if your other option can use a 38mm tire.
FWIW I don't recall seeing anyone last year on a really wide tired bike.
Based on the number people I saw with flats, I think you want something wider than standard 32mm cross tires.
But you've got 10,000 feet of climbing, so going too big on the tires is going to cost you weight wise.
Also I think you want a tire with a fiarly smooth tread. Only on the roughest steepest sections did I want more traction. And most of the race I enjoyed he lower roling resistance of a road/touring type tread.
I think a 38-40mm tire with belts under the tread, and sidewalls is the best choice. I'd skip the monster cross if your other option can use a 38mm tire.
FWIW I don't recall seeing anyone last year on a really wide tired bike.
I'm going with a lighter cyclocross bike with 700x38 tires Swalble Marathon tires. I'm looking forward to it.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
espressogrinder
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
49
09-20-17 02:41 PM
Planemaker
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
32
11-21-15 02:20 PM
