justfitme

I have my friend visiting me in a month or so and I will have to come up with the second MTB to ride XC course for a few times.

There is nothing extremely challenging on this course (no rocks, no drops, no downhills)but it is very bumpy - lots of roots, sand and small logs across the trail..

I have Cannondale bad boy with V-brakes and Mavic CXP22 wheelset with disc hubs (usually I ride Bontrager race wheels).

The question is - what is the maximum size Mavics can take? Can I install 700x35 CX tires and how capable they are for XC riding?

The second option i have to swap the brakes and wheels from my wife's MTB for few days of riding...

What would yuo do?

Thanks for any advice.

zerogravity

700x35 should be fine..i go on downhills and some pretty challenging singletrack with 700x38's and they handled what i have it. Light understeer, but im sure your buddy will adjust accordingly. You can swap the brakes as long as your fork and frame has Disc Brake mounts on then...otherwise, just stick with the V Brakes.

giantcfr1

I think there could be a clearance problem with your tyres vs frame. The maximum I can run on my frame (2007 model / M size) are 32mm small block CX.

justfitme

The thing is your bike comes from the factory with 38-th and it is more off-road oriented than on-road.
Bad boy is urban-oriented bike and it comes with 28 and accepts 23 perfectly.

A little different story. Thank you for response.

P.S. yea, this bike has everything to be discbraked.

justfitme

What a good point.

I did not even looked there - looked at where V-brakes located.

Now it is clear that 32 is absolute maximum. I would be even careful with the tire brand and model.

Ok..and how are those handle off-road? How far did you go on them?

zerogravity

Smallblock 8's are Amazing on a 26" wheel..Im sure it will be the same in a 700 size.

justfitme

with the same width (32 = 1.25") ?

mikeschn

It looks like my small block 8, on a 700C rim is 32.8.



Mikey

justfitme

I was so naive trusted these numbers on sidewall - here we are..it is not 32 ..it is 32.8

giantcfr1

I've only used them on what I concider a light trail with small rocks in sections and a few small tree roots exposed, plus some sand.

They went well under speed, but I must be honest I took care in the sandy areas.

zerogravity

That is the nature of the SB8's. Dialed on Street although you hear the mild humming noise of the knobs. Dialed on the packed dirt/clay. Loose on Loose sand. In it's defense, i have yet to find a tire that works well on Loose Sand whether it is a 26", 29", or 700c.

justfitme

Kenda Nevegal better than anything else in my experience... Of course - the width is very important thing when it comes to the sand... This is why I do not expect the same brand and model work the same way on different wheels...since the tire size will not be the same most likely.

giantcfr1

Do you have any cyclocross friends with more money than sense? I'm lucky because I do. If you do, see if they swap out tyres regularly, as then you may be able to try out a few different sets to see if they fit.

justfitme

good idea... I have couple of friends with beach-cruisers... with good tires for sand.