Off road tires for road racing bike
02-25-07, 09:09 PM
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Off road tires for road racing bike
Hey, any of you guys hit any dirt trails or anything while riding your road bike? If so what tires do you recommend. I'm doing Battenkill-roubaix in April and am not too keen on riding Vittoria Corsa cx's or Vredenstein trifortezzas (what I usually ride), but have no idea what else to throw on. Any advice would be much appreciated.
eippo
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02-25-07, 11:04 PM
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Did around 50 k of gravel roads on my 700x23 training tyres last season. The Michelin Speediums held up well.
In other words, normal tyres would work just fine for short stretches of unpaved road. If the race you've mentioned is mostly asphalt, there's no need to use heavier tyres, just make sure they're up to the correct pressure.
In other words, normal tyres would work just fine for short stretches of unpaved road. If the race you've mentioned is mostly asphalt, there's no need to use heavier tyres, just make sure they're up to the correct pressure.
Last edited by ezoons; 02-25-07 at 11:48 PM.
02-25-07, 11:54 PM
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My neighbor used to race pro downhill for Cannondale and he didn't care for roadbiking, so when Cannondale sent him a free roadie, he road it on fire trails all the time. Traction was an issue, but it didn't kill anything.
02-26-07, 02:02 AM
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The race is mostly paved with a few large sections of unpaved territory, so I'm not sure if I need cross tires, but I know my race tires would be crap on the dirt.
02-26-07, 09:43 AM
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Make sure you have the clearance first. If not then you might switch to 650B wheels.
02-26-07, 09:49 AM
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Did the Battenkill race last year on GP4000 23s without too much trouble. If the dirt sections are wet you'll slip if you stand but cross tires are overkill IMHO. 25s might be nice but aren't necessary...
wayne
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02-26-07, 10:13 AM
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I'd consider Continental Gatorskins. Pretty flat resistent, and not bad on rolling resistence.
02-26-07, 11:03 AM
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Vittoria Pave tubulars or Open Pave if you have clinchers. The 24mm width should fit on most bikes.... going to the 27mm is overkill anyhow.
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02-26-07, 12:23 PM
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Okay, thanks for the advice guys. I'll look into those tires.
