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Narrow CX tyres

by Dan S
Mon, Oct 31, 2016 19:32
12

Probably a long shot but my sons are getting into cyclocross and I quite fancy doing a little bit on the side (after haveing great fun on a CX/BMX track with them in Holland last week.  

While I realise that the correct course of action is to buy a CX bike, my wife is at the stage where she narrows her eyes threateningly at new bar tape, much less a new bike.  So I need to stick to the trusty Defy (or possibly the Propel).

The issue is tyres.  My 25mm 4 Seasons were sliding everywhere in Holland so I feel the need for something a bit knobblier.  Any ideas for CX tyres that will fit a Defy or Propel?  I think we're realistically looking at 25mm, although it's just possible I'd get 28mm in there...

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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12 comments

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Dan S | 8 years ago
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Thanks for the advice chaps!
Truth be told, it's all pipe dream at the moment: my sons do CX with their club (Wessex League, but they've not started racing yet) and I had a go on the mud BMX track at Centre Parcs in Holland last week on my Defy and loved it. Cross looks fun so I thought I'd investigate.

I think I'll probably go with the tourer as is to start with and then either switch it to bar ends or sell it (it's too big for me really anyway) and get a basic CX bike with the money if She agrees.

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OldnSlo | 8 years ago
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Just started racing cx this year.
I use a 29er (full sus - previous injury) - if you have a decent mtb/hybrid - use it.
Tyre choice is kind of important - I run 1.8 conti mud kings, but in reality cx 33/34 could have been ok. In thick mud riding on wide tyres is like mud-sailing. When ridining thru mud, tyre pressures need to be low. With tubes - about 35psi, tubeless a bit lower, tubular lower still (25) . But pressure is dependent upon surface. If the ground is hard then up the pressure a bit. Also for a hard dry surface an mtb would be a nut saving option.

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Dan S | 8 years ago
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On the other hand, I've got my old Dave Yates tourer that would take 32mm tyres easily. Of course, it has non-indexed gears with downtube shifters, but how often could I need to change gears in CX, right?

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Roadie_john replied to Dan S | 8 years ago
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Dan S wrote:

On the other hand, I've got my old Dave Yates tourer that would take 32mm tyres easily. Of course, it has non-indexed gears with downtube shifters, but how often could I need to change gears in CX, right?

go old school with bar end shifters. The shiman shifters have index and friction shift settings. You should be able to pick up second-hand 8-9 speed bar ends for a few quid. They'll not be much better than the down tube levers but you'll score high for retro chic. 

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ped replied to Dan S | 8 years ago
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Dan S wrote:

On the other hand, I've got my old Dave Yates tourer that would take 32mm tyres easily. Of course, it has non-indexed gears with downtube shifters, but how often could I need to change gears in CX, right?

… or singlespeed it. SSCX is ace. Less to go wrong and more to blame for any poor results.

My first season of CX was on a singlespeed, built up from parts in the shed and a £50 eBay frame. Of course then I got the bug and well … n+1, innit?

Which league are you looking to ride in? 

 

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surly_by_name | 8 years ago
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Even if you could find a cx tyre with a narrow advertised width, I suspect the side knobs would buzz on the stays, especially if you buckle rim, unless you use a proper file tread (and although its been unseasonably warm and dry so far this season, can't imagine file treads will be tenable for too much longer this season). At Herne Hill (London CX) 2 Sundays ago there was a chap riding a road bike.

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mike the bike | 8 years ago
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We have a lot in common Dan.  I too quite fancy "doing a little bit on the side" but my wife is not in favour either.

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Dan S replied to mike the bike | 8 years ago
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mike the bike wrote:

 

We have a lot in common Dan.  I too quite fancy "doing a little bit on the side" but my wife is not in favour either.

I suspect I'd get in less trouble for that than for buying another bike...

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HalfWheeler | 8 years ago
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Sell one of your bikes and replace it with a 2nd hand cross bike?

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Simon E replied to HalfWheeler | 8 years ago
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HalfWheeler wrote:

Sell one of your bikes and replace it with a 2nd hand cross bike?

or a MTB (allowed in most local leagues).

The Defy's brakes will clog up with mud and make it unrideable in the first lap unless it's bone dry. It's why CX bikes have canti or disc brakes.

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rogermerriman | 8 years ago
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At 25mm your probably looking at touring/hybrid tyres. One of my SS I had marathon @25mm for tow path/park tyre stuff it coped, though the tread that there is doesn't bite in wet grass and clogs but it does a lot better than slicks!

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Critman | 8 years ago
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This Leonard Zinn article on CX tyre choices is worth reading. But considering most popular CX sizes start @32mm finding a worthy a 25/28mm tyre could be slim.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/01/news/technical-faq-with-lennard-z...

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