Cycling UK Forum

Hi
I am building up a cyclo cross bike which I will be using for commuting (partly normal tarmac, partly tracks) and need some tyres which stand up to the term 'cyclo cross'. A friend suggested these http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/3657/schwalbe-cx-comp-700c-tyre, anyone has any other suggestions? Whilst these look fine there may be others with less tread?

Martin

On my otherwise road oriented machines I use those tyres in size 30 when there is a lot of snow around. So not very often. The tread is nothing like as aggressive as it appears in the picture. The main part is largely flat with light tread (it is intended for use on hard surface cyclo cross courses) with the lugs sticking pretty much at 45 degrees. So the lugs do not get a great deal of wear and are useful in the snow in my case. I doubt you will find a cyclo cross tyre with less tread. The price you have shown is a bit high, you can usually find them for £10 or maybe less. If you want to see some in the flesh then I can show you some, you know where I live because you had a rear mech from me about 2 years ago.

Edit to add - here they are at £10.49 http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/Schwalbe-CX-Comp-Tyre

Though I haven't ridden those I have ridden Mondials which have a similar scalloped tread pattern,I'd be careful on tarmac,especially wet tarmac with that centre tread the side knobs making things worse IMO.
Have you considered Schwalbe Land Cruisers?
The tread is more continuous and tends to behave itself both on and off road.
TBH unless riding more mucky/sloppy off road than tarmac I find slicks to be good enough and surprisingly grippy,wet grass is a different thing though.
Check out Vittoria Voyager Hypers@ PlanetX,one excellent quick and light alrounder.

Considering all the replies I probably will stay away from the kind of 'off road' type tyres. I did cycle on Marathon Supremes a few years back on a hefty commuter bike (35" tyres) and never had a problem. However, the supremes are heavy and expensive, will have another look for options.

Martin

Was using some Land Cruisers recently and they are a great tyre for a bit of mixed terrain

malverncyclist wrote:Considering all the replies I probably will stay away from the kind of 'off road' type tyres. I did cycle on Marathon Supremes a few years back on a hefty commuter bike (35" tyres) and never had a problem. However, the supremes are heavy and expensive, will have another look for options.

Martin

Schwalbe CX Comp 700x30=450g
Vittoria Voyager and Randonneur* Hyper 700x 37=395g
Hypers are hardly a heavy tyre and IME ride like a much lighter tyre,with comfort far in excess of anything else I've ridden.


*not ordinary Randoneurs or Randoneur Pro which have a much stiffer carcass due to extra puncture protection layers.

+1 for the Landcruisers.
I've used both those and their road biased cousins the Roadcruisers and tbh, along with their quite brilliant off-road abilities I actually have more confidence slamming the Landcruisers into corners on tarmac than the Roadcruisers.