Monster Cross Tires

[MileHighMark]

Riding fire roads on slicks is getting a little old. Recommend me a tire that's:

• 700C
• 37mm-42mm actual width
• Black sidewalls (preferably with reflective stripes)
• Minimal tread (but not just siping)
• Fast on pavement
• Doesn't weigh a ton

[Andy_K]

Here are a couple of things that come to mind:

Continental Cyclocross
700x42 (claimed, but you know how Conti is about that)
490g



Schwalbe Marathon Extreme
700x40 (claimed and probably accurate)
525g
Reflective sidewalls

[MileHighMark]

I was hoping for something with even less thread. Ritchey has some cross tires that might fit the bill, but I haven't ridden a Ritchey tire in ages, and I don't know if they run true-to-size.

[Andy_K]

Have you looked at the Schwalbe Hurricanes. They're a bit heavier than the tires above, but with less tread.

[MileHighMark]

Have you looked at the Schwalbe Hurricanes. They're a bit heavier than the tires above, but with less tread.

Those look interesting (thanks).

I was thinking about some Marathon Extremes, but the Hurricanes might be more fun in the dirt.

[DG Going Uphill]

I used Michelin Jets (similar to Ritchey Speedmax) for a while for what you are doing, but went back to Vittoria Rando Hypers (slick with sipes). The issue with the cross tires was that while they rolled well on both road and off road, hooked up enough off road, the side nobs made on the road cornering while descending dangerous, especially if the road had any moisture (I remember one descent where no matter how slow I went, the rear wheel would lose traction once I leaned a little). Most of my riding for fun involves mountains, so not being able to descend well on a road was not an option. There is always going to be a trade off. I decided that if I have to go slower, I'd rather it be on the dirt, where my speed is lower already.

[thisisbenji]

I was just about to post this same topic ha. I do a 50 miles loop a few times a week that's about 75% on gravel/packed dirt and 25% on the road. The gravel and dirt are very smooth so I'm looking to get a nice big tire that rolls good on the pavement but can still corner well off road.

Currently running Kenda Kwick 700x30c and they just feel like crap on the pavement.

Was thinking about doing something like this


or some specialized tires either the crossroads or hemisphere

[waynesworld]

I would think the Vittoria Randonneur or Vittoria Randonneur Cross would work really well, depending on how much tread you desire.

I have the Randonneur Pros in 32 on my Jake and I love them, but I ride almost exclusively on the road. I also don't have that many miles on them yet, but they feel great and seem fast enough for me, and reviews seem great. They don't make the 'Pro' models (folding bead) in sizes as large as you've requested, or I would get those to save weight.

If I did more off road riding, I would probably get the Cross model myself.

[rawhite1969]

I ride on these: Continental Comfort Contact 700c x 47mm. Have been great in the city for absorbing the rough roads, handling crushed limestone trails, etc.

[thisisbenji]

I saw those, not sure they would fit on my bike though.

[M_S]

Ritchey Speedmax in the 40 or 42 size is pretty big volume, at least taller than the 35s. Lately though I have been digging Panaracer T-Servs in 35 for mixed terrain rides. No tread but a grippy volume and true to size or maybe a bit larger on my wide rims. I think volume > tread even on rough fire roads. I only will be swapping to cross tires outside of racing if the ride is almost all dirt with a good portion of singletrack now, I think. YMMV

[CliftonGK1]

WTB Pathway or All-Terrain.

[MileHighMark]

Ritchey Speedmax in the 40 or 42 size is pretty big volume, at least taller than the 35s. Lately though I have been digging Panaracer T-Servs in 35 for mixed terrain rides. No tread but a grippy volume and true to size or maybe a bit larger on my wide rims. I think volume > tread even on rough fire roads. I only will be swapping to cross tires outside of racing if the ride is almost all dirt with a good portion of singletrack now, I think. YMMV

I'm thinking you may be right about volume > tread. A bigger tire will have a larger footprint, and that probably trumps the grip you'd get from tread.

Previously I'd tried some Conti Contacts, but the 37c size was about 32mm wide when mounted on a 24mm rim. I may give the 42c version a try in hopes that it'll actually be wider than my 35c Vittoria Hypers.

[MileHighMark]

Any running the 37c Panaracer Pasela? It looks promising, but my past experience with Panaracers is that they run small/narrow. I want something that's wider than my Rando Hypers' 35.5mm actual width.

[CliftonGK1]

Any running the 37c Panaracer Pasela? It looks promising, but my past experience with Panaracers is that they run small/narrow. I want something that's wider than my Rando Hypers' 35.5mm actual width.

I have 32mm Pasela TGs on my rando bike and they run 30.6mm on Sun CR18 rims. I can imagine the 37mm is closer to 35mm true measure.

[M_S]

The T-Serv 35s are a true 35 and seem better than Paselas but spendier. In my Volpe they are about as big a tire as I think I could fit with the wheel halfway in the dropouts. T-Servs are the dirt road tire of choice around Missoula though and lots of people love them. I just got mine and I think it's going to be a happy relationship. They roll well and have a surprisingly grippy compound. And wear well so far. In the last week I've done probably 50 miles of dirt/gravel road, some singletrack, 50 more road miles mostly in the city (I'm visiting family in Portland) and a 200 mile two day tour on a bike with 30 pounds of gear, and the tires show no visible wear.

I noticed with the Paselas a strange feel when cornering due to the ultra flexy sidewalls and thick tread, but the T-Servs are more consistent. The 32s were also undersized, as mentioned. Still, the Paselas are good tires if you don't want to shell out big bucks though. The basic wire bead Pasela is the best cheap tire I've ever used, for sure. I would get the 35s and expect a 32 though.

[MileHighMark]

Just ordered a pair of Continental Contact Extra Lights in 700x42c. If their sizing is consistently narrow, they should measure right around 37mm.

[MileHighMark]

The 42c Contact Extra Lights measured exactly 37mm on my 23mm rims. Pretty quick on-road, and quite good off-road. Much more predictable than full slicks (I know, "duh").