Originally Posted by
GoodEyeCycler
So, what's the biggest knobbies you all have been able to fit on your messengers? Pretty much right after I finalized the purchase on mine I had an afterthought of really wanting to try out cyclocross type events, and would like a little more clearance for that. haha
Tire clearance, although there isn't a lot of it, isn't really the thing that will prevent you from cyclo-crossing your Messenger. The brakes are the real problem. Almost all 'cross' bikes use cantilever brakes as they provide the best stopping power to mud clearance ratio (and disc brakes are banned by some 'cross' sanctioning bodies).
Ride the Messenger for what it is- a street bike. If you want to race cross you can use your mountain bike. (I say this based on my assumption that almost anyone who has multiple bikes probably has a mountain bike.)