"What Do You Do"

This article was originally published a few year back by one of TMS most respected crossers in Michigan 2005 Mens Elite state cyclocross champion Jer Walker. Jer knows a thing or two about what makes good cross tires. So we thought with what might be a messy last few races it would be a good time address some issues some might have.It has been updated since last published read, enjoy and take in some knowledge.

Cyclocross is a very tech heavy sport, but of all the things you should consider, the first thing you need to get right are your tires. After all, this is where the rubber meets the road...and the dirt, grass, mud, mulch, sand, and whatever else the promoter can find to throw at you. Get this wrong and it'll be a long day at the office. Get it right though, and you could be sipping the bubbly on top of the box.

Tire selection is the most critical component of a successful 'cross race. I've seen National Champions flail around like Bambie because of poor tire selection and I've seen average riders have winning rides due to a smart pick. I'm going to give an extensive review of a wide array of possible tire choices and illustrate where they may be best utilized.

There are three different mounting types when it comes to 'cross tires. You can go tubular, clincher, or even tubeless now. Tubular tires are glued onto the wheel with the tube sewn inside the casing. This is the choice of virtually every PRO and Elite level rider as they offer a superior ride quality and traction due to the ability to run lower pressures without pinch flatting. The downside is that they are expensive and the gluing process can be long, tedious, and messy. If you flat, you have to rip the tire off and replace it. Clincher tires are probably what most 'cross riders use still. They are much more affordable, most are offered in the same tread as their tubular cousin, and if you flat, just change the tube and move on. The downside is that they don't allow you to run lower pressure without the risk of pinch flatting and due to their construction, don't offer the same supple ride quality. Tubeless is really still in its infancy in 'cross, but kind of offers the best of both worlds. There's no tube to pinch and no gluing to deal with. I have no personal experience with this mounting type, but from what I understand, it also has drawbacks. At lower pressure, hitting an object on the course may cause the tire to burp and loose pressure. I've also heard that mounting the tires onto the wheels can be like wrestling a bear and may discourage people from switching tires, but with limited tubeless tire choices, it may not matter at this point.

No matter which mounting style you choose, there are three crucial things to consider:

The first crucial choice is tread. Even if you only race the Tailwind series, you will find a variety of terrain and depending on the weather, one tread alone may not be enough. There are a lot of different treads on the market today, but most fall within three categories, dry condition knobbies, mud knobbies, and file treads. Most people will have what I consider an all around tire. For most Michigan courses, a dry condition knobby will suffice. But there have been days when it has rained excessively, or more Michigan like, snowed excessively. This is where a mud specific tire will excel. And just like the old mountain bike days in the 90's, we're starting to see a surge in slick tread or file tread tires. These will have limited use, but excel on flat hard pack courses, sand, and snow. All three types are available in both tubular and clincher. In the end, pick a tread pattern you are comfortable with. Everybody is different and while some may use file treads because they think it's cool or faster, someone else may want a little more bite to their tire regardless of conditions and/or terrain.

The second crucial choice is pressure. Even if you have the right tread, if you're running too much or in rare cases, too little pressure, you're already trying to swim upstream. Tire pressure is still something of a Jedi Force kind of thing. I can't just present a chart and tell you to use this or that pressure. Pressure will depend on mounting type, rider weight, riding style, and terrain. A really svelte rider who is smooth on the bike running a tubular can go as low as 25 psi. A Clydesdale who has a habit of crunching rims riding a clincher may need to go as high 50 psi. That's probably the range everyone should try to shoot for. Anything over 50 psi and you're losing traction, control, stability, and comfort.

The third and final crucial thing to consider is size. With sizes ranging from 28-38, size is an important choice and will effect how the tire feels. For all you Elite riders wanting to mix it up at a UCI level race, you will now be limited to a 33mm tire. Commissaires will be checking tire widths at staging, so please know what you have; otherwise you may not be allowed to start. Things to consider when choosing size are tread pattern, rider weight, and rider style.

Now for the tubulars:

In the world of 'cross tubulars, the #1 name in the game is Andre Dugast. As stated on cyclocrossworld.com, Dugast tubbies are truly hand constructed the "old fashioned" way. This produces a tire that is second to none. Andre Dugast started with Dourdoigne in 1952 and branched out on his own in 1974, just three years before Dourdoigne closed their doors forever. He has seen the rise and fall of all the modern champions, and made tubulars for most of them. At its height, the Andre Dugast Company employed 6 people. Today he works alone and is one of the masters of a dying art. Dugast casings define what supple means. In Europe, Top pro's run these at unthinkable low pressures. A top notch glue job is critical when rolling around the course at 25 psi! Dugast tires are designed for classic European style cross courses. This means grassy fields (generally smooth) with a combination of pavement. The upside of running Dugast tires are there unbeatable ride quality due to their cotton casing. The downside of running Dugast is their cotton casing. When subjected to mud and debris, the sidewalls tend to break down quick. However a new preventative measure can be taken by applying a layer of Aquaseal to the sidewalls. This is best done after mounting and they've had time to cure. You can also prolong the life of a Dugast by applying this after the fact. Better late than never considering a Dugast will cost you between $114 and $225. Dugast has five models, the Typhoon, the Rhino, the Pipistrello, the Flying Doctor, and the new ice specific Diavolo.

The Typhoon is the most classic 'cross tire. Go to Europe and this will be the weapon of choice. This is a great choice for any of Michigan's courses on a dry day. The Typhoon is available in 28, 30, 32, and 34 ($115). The Rhino is Dugast's mud tire and works great. This is a tire some riders will consider on drier courses too if there are a lot of off camber sections or even just a couple slippery spots. Either way, the traction is great and it sheds mud and snow well when it gets rough out. The Rhino is available in 30, 32, and 34 ($120). The Pipistrello is Dugast's latest file tread tire. It has a diamond tread pattern with minimal small knobs on the side. This is a great tire for extremely hard packed courses with short grass, sandy courses, or even the occasional race on hard pack snow. Available in 30, 32, and 34 ($120). The Flying Doctor uses the same tread as the Typhoon, but has a stiffer casing that allows you to run lower pressure without the tire rolling underneath you. It is now only available in white tread which is only intended for dry fast courses. Not recommended for slick courses. Available in 30, 32, and 34 ($135). The Diavolo is the tire that got spiked by the UCI techs. The Dugast Diavolo Spiked tire was developed by Dugast late in the 2009 cross season with an eye towards the 2010 World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic. The conditions were expected to be slick and icy - just right for a studded tire! Well the UCI squashed any hopes of the Diavolos seeing the course. While they are outlawed for UCI sanctioned races, they can still be used in any other cross race. If the conditions are icy in the late fall and early winter these tires will absolutely make a difference. Mount these up and you will be sure to breeze on past the competition while they flounder along on the slick sections. Truly a one of a kind tire. If I'm heading to Madison or Louisville in search of a jersey, this tire would be a must have in my quiver.

And if you really are a tire geek, Dugast will make any tire you want as long as you supply the tread. This has been done in the past with Michelin's original green Mud, the Mud 2, and the Sprint. The cost of this custom fabrication is quite high factoring in exchange rates, but if you do a bulk order, the rate comes down to the normal range. Plan at least six months in advance for this process and he usually won't do these orders until the Euro 'cross season is over.

After Dugast, Challenge is the next most popular tire. Challenge is an Italian company that bought all the molds from Clement when they closed their doors. Now production is done in Thailand, which is where a lot of high end tubular road tires are made as well. Challenge gained huge popularity in the US due to easy availability and lower cost (compared to Dugast). They have even been accepted in Europe, working with the Fidea team and Joachim Parbo who helped develop the Fango. Challenge has four models as well, the Grifo Cross, the Grifo Dry, the Fango, and the Grifo Seta. The Grifo Cross is an updated version of that original Clement tread that has added knobs to the side of the tire that extend all the way to the casing. This makes for a very good cornering tire and can be run in dry and moderately muddy conditions. Available in 30, 32, and 34 ($80). The Grifo Dry is their file tread and seems to have even less tread than the Dugast Pipistrello. Like the Pipistrello, use these on hard pack, sandy, and icy courses. Another trick that might only happen once in your life would be to set up pit bike with a pair pumped up to 90 psi, take a change on the last lap and sprint for the win on a hard tire while your nemesis is squishing around on 30 psi. I would only recommend this if a jersey were on the line. The Fango is Challenge's newest tread designed for mud. It has gotten rave reviews from Velonews, but left some wanting more in terms of a real mud tire. Some riders will use this tread more on dry days than muddy days. Perhaps it should be called a slick condition tire (Bloomer in the rain for example), where the conditions are less muddy, but still slippery. One of the biggest benefits of Challenge tires is that they use polyester instead of cotton for their casings which makes them much more durable to the elements. If cotton is still your thing though, you can get the Grifo Seta. This is Challenge's boutique tire with a cotton casing. With a tag of $180, I don't know how many you'll see in the US peloton.

Speaking of Clement, they're back. The CLEMENT brand was founded by Gustave Adolphe Clément-Bayard, the second son of a French grocer, who left home at the age of 16 with 30 francs in his pocket and died in Paris in 1928 at age 74 a multi-millionaire industrialist. He began his manufacturing career in 1878 by manufacturing high-quality bicycles and expanded into tire manufacturing in 1888 and, later, into the manufacture and development of airplanes, automobiles, motorcycles, and dirigibles. In 1912, he was named a Commander of the Légion d'Honneur. After World War I, the CLEMENT brand moved to Italy, and this is how most people think of the brand - as an Italian brand. CLEMENT tires were the premiere tire in competition for decades, and probably more Tour de France and single day "Classics" were won on CLEMENT tires than any other tire in the world. The Pirelli Group purchased CLEMENT in the 1980's and moved manufacturing to Thailand. In 1995 Pirelli decided to vacate the bicycle tire business as a direct business operation and licensed the brand to a competitor. The license subsequently lapsed and Donnelly Sports negotiated with Pirelli Tyre Spa to bring it back to the market. Despite the dormancy of the brand, there is still energy in the bicycle market for the CLEMENT cycling tire brand that is unique and quite passionate. An older bicyclist will instantly recognize the brand and in most cases he or she will express a fondness for the brand that is unequaled. CLEMENT was the cycling tire people lusted after for years. If you thought of bike racing you thought of racing on CLEMENT Criterium Seta - the legendary tire for decades.

Now while the treads they have designed look progressive, they have yet to make it into a tubular version. Until those go live, scroll down to the clincher section for descriptions. If the photos and molds I've seen come to life, this could be the best mud tire on the market. Time will tell.

FMB is a newer brand to the 'cross world, but is starting to gain popularity. A French company trying to put up a fight with Dugast, distribution is scarce. To my knowledge, Molly Cameron of The Velo Shop in Portland, OR is the biggest one in the US. You can also find them on http://www.worldclasscycles.com/. They use a tread very similar to the Dugast/Challenge but they appear to have more rounded edges. They offer two tread types of their own, the SSC (knobby) and the Sprint (file), but offer a variety of casing options (cotton, Superprestige latex, and Pro latex with puncture protection). FMB has upped their game recently utilizing other manufacturer's treads onto their casing including several from Schwalbe which really opens up the amount of dry course treads available. An FMB tire is more about the casing and the ride quality. Considering Fabian Cancellara won Paris Roubaix and Tour of Flanders on FMB tires, there is no doubt they offer superb ride quality. They do seem a little overpriced even compared to Dugast so evaluate thoroughly before making a purchase decision.

Vittoria might be the best bang for your bike. They offer three different treads, the Evo XG knobby, the Evo XN file, and the new Evo XM mud. They also offer two different casings, one with a 140 tpi and the upper end with 320 tpi. The higher tpi will result in a suppler ride. And since they are Vittoria, they have what I think are the base tape, so gluing goes well. The downside to Vittoria used to be that they used a lot of silica which helps shed mud, but it made the tread slippery. The recently switched a less slippery black rubber, but the jury is still out on the actual performance. Without sufficient side knobs, they aren't the best cornering tires. But if you are budget conscious or just look for something to train on, I think it would be a great choice.

Tufo was at one time the most popular tire in the US. Back before Dugast were available to us and Challenge even existed, Tufo was about the only tire going. Tufo's are different since they are a tubular tire with no tube, so they can be the lightest tires out there. They only had one tread (Prestige) until recently when they came out with the Flexus line, which includes the Primus, Cubus, and Dry Plus. The Primus is for all those Damn Blue Collar Tweekers who are running this here town and uses their same tread, but with additional side knobs for better traction. They have also introduced the Cubus which is a much knobbier tire that looks like it would be good in the mud. And like everyone else and their brother, Tufo has the Dry Plus file tread for you to slip around on. Tufo tires are hard to glue. The base tape absorbs a lot of glue and is extremely tight, so getting onto the rim can be very difficult. Once they're on though, they're straight as an arrow. Overall, I do not recommend Tufo since there are so many other better choices out there.

Gommitalia is an Italian poor man's Challenge. Same tread with a little different casing. I've heard there are quality issues. No one really uses these anymore, especially now that they are only available in UCI illegal 34mm.

Schwalbe has the Racing Ralph in a 32mm which looks like one of the best treads I've seen in a long time. But they redesigned the tread for 2009 and it resembles nothing of its predecessor. With no experience with this tire, I cannot comment further. I do know that this tread is wildly popular amongst the MTB crowd, so it is likely a good choice for dry conditions.

Clincher Tires:

Challenge in their infinite wisdom was one of the first to offer clincher versions of all their tubular tires. So for those of you wanting to ride what the pros ride, but don't want to drop the cash on tubular wheels, Challenge offers the Grifo, XS, and Fango in clincher versions. If I were riding clincher wheels, these would be my first choice.

Clement is back and your history lesson is above. They offer two clinchers, the Crusade PDX and the Clement LAS. Named after the Cross Crusade in Portland Oregon, USA, the largest participant cyclocross series in the World, Clement's Crusade PDX (the Portland airport code) is an all-around performer with a particular love for mud. The center knobs are aligned to give you a fast roll on hard pack and pavement, no matter what the weather conditions. Side knobs offer superior edge control so your bike stays under you in the curves and the leading edge of the knob gives you extra traction coming out of corners. The LAS is named after the most entertaining and exciting cyclocross race in America, CrossVegas, the LAS (for Vegas' airport code), is fast, glides over hard-pack, and cuts through grass. Its unique nail-file tread is short and fine at the center of the tire and gets progressively taller and coarser as it approaches the shoulder knobs. This gradated construction gives you predictable performance as you corner and ride off-camber sections, all the while keeping straight-line rolling resistance as low as possible.
LAS has the same side-knob construction as its cyclocross brother the Crusade PDX, giving you superior edge control in leans and a traction advantage coming out of the corner.

Continental makes some of the best tubular tires in the world, but they also offer a broad range of clincher products. In fact, I think some of their clincher treads like the Speed King Cross would make really bitchin tubular tires. They also offer the Race and Speed treads in clincher form.

Geax made their name in the mountain bike world, but they do have two 'cross tires available. The Mezcal 34 looks like their version of a dry hard pack tire while the blade is definitely designed for the mud and comes in either 29 or 33.

Hutchinson really got a boost in their 'cross lineup when former Elite National Champion Marc Gullickson retired from racing and went to work for them. Gully immediately went to work on the Bulldog which is an all around tire that could be used in mud. He has since introduced the Piranha which is more of a dry condition tread. While these are clincher tires, they are also tubeless ready and will be discussed further in the next section.

IRC has the Mythos which is just a 700c version of the mountain bike tire with the same name. It had its place years ago, but I think it has since been passed by.

Kenda never really took 'cross seriously in recent years, but now they come to the table with five models including the Tomac Small Block 8. This looks like a fun tire to run on dry grassy courses, but not in the mud. Kenda also has the Kommando which looks to have widely spaced knobs, but I can't confirm its performance in the muck. They also offer the Kwicker and the Slant Six for dry courses and the Happy Medium file tread.

Maxxis is another MTB convert that has kept pace with the growing sport of Cyclocross. In 2005 Maxxis introduced the Locust CX, and its 6-pack tread design allows the tire to roll fast on pavement and provides great traction on the wide variety of terrains encountered in a Cyclocross event. For the off camber sections that are sure to be found on every good Cyclocross course, the Locust CX has squared shoulder lugs to provide the best traction and allow you to take the line you want. The Maxxis Raze is a fast rolling center ridge tire. The lugs are spaced wide enough to shed mud, snow, and ice easily. The Maxxis Larsen MiMo was designed by Steve Larsen to handle all the elements that Cyclocross can deliver. Ridden to numerous victories at the US Gran Prix and other top events in the US, the Larsen MiMo has quickly become one of the most popular tires on the market. The round knobs shed mud easily, while penetrating the soil for maximum traction. Each knob is ramped on the leading edge to lower rolling resistance. They now have what looks to be one of the better mud treads out there with the Mud Wrestler. The Mud Wrestler is the newest addition to the cross tire line-up offering outstanding performance in the wet conditions that frequent this grueling race discipline. The center knobs are continuous and ramped to roll fast, while the aggressive side knobs cut through the nastiest mud and snow. Along with rolling fast, the Mud Wrestler sheds mud with ease thanks to its open tread design. This would make a great tubular.

Michelin is one of the pioneers in 'cross tires. They introduced the now legendary Mud back in the day when they used to be green. This tread was the perfect choice for mud. It shed anything that got in its way due to the spacing of the lugs and the slick compound. They also had the sprint which was a file design for fast dry conditions. The sprint has since been retired and replaced by the jet. I'm not a huge fan of slick 'cross tires although I had a pair and the Jet is not a tread I would put in my stable. The Mud has evolved into the Mud 2. The tread pattern is slightly different, losing some lug and making it a more all around tire. Michelin also dumped the green compound in favor of black.

Panaracer offer the Cinder X and the CrossBlaster. Both utilize short small block knobs. They could be used in most conditions as they look like they would shed mud ok, but they may not offer the same kind of bite as a taller knob like the Michelin would.

Ritchey has been one of the most famous names in all of cycling. Tom was not only a pioneer of the modern day mountain bike, but was and still is actively involved in the sport of 'cross. They never really expanded the tire line much though and still only have the Speedmax and the Excavader. Great for dry to loose conditions, I wouldn't take these out if the clouds look too grey.

Schwalbe again offers the Racing Ralph in addition to the CX Comp, CX Pro, Sammy Slick and the Smart Sam. Like Ritchey, none of these tires look well suited to wet or muddy conditions, but offer good grip in hard pack to loose courses.

Tufo again goes for uniqueness in their clincher line. They take the same tubular tire and attach a hook to install onto a clincher rim. Again, the tire contains no tube and is fully enclosed. Perhaps the only clincher tire to offer the true feel of a tubular.

Like Challenge, Vittoria makes the same tubular offerings in clincher form. If you like to race on tubulars, but train on clinchers, Vittoria is definitely the best bang for your buck in this combo area.

Tubeless:

Right now, the only two companies doing a tubeless 'cross tire are Hutchinson and Stan's. The Hutchinson tires are those reviewed above.

Stan's has developed the Raven to work in conjunction with their NoTubes sealant system. Now virtually any tire can be used without an inner tube. The Raven is made of 120 TPI nylon. It has a dual compound rubber for exceptional grip. It has low rolling resistance and can be run at lower pressures without an inner tube. It requires the Stan's Sealant system to be run without an inner tube.

Notes:

If you are going to go with tubular tires, the gluing process is key. A bad glue job equals a rolled tire and that equals a trip to the pit or the parking lot, neither of which usually find you collecting the dough. There are several types of glue on the market, but only two are worth mentioning: Continental and Vittoria Mastik. Both are yellowish glue that goes on clear. I like Conti the best. It goes on smooth and doesn't gum up. I like to use tin handle acid brushes to apply the glue. You can buy these at most hardware stores. The best method I have found is to put the glue in a clear plastic cup (something like a jello cup works great). Stretch the tire on the rim for at least 24 hours if not more prior to gluing. This will help ease the mounting process. Inflate the tire until it starts to roll inside out. Pump it up enough so that the base tape is facing up when the tire is laying flat. Apply a layer on the tire and let it sit 24 hours. If mounting onto a new rim, apply a coat of glue to the rim and let it sit 24 hours. Apply a second layer and let it sit 24 hours. Repeat on the rim as well. Put a final mounting coat on both the rim and the tire and mount immediately. While the glue is still wet, check the tire for straightness and readjust as need be. Put about 20 pounds into the tire and give it a spin. You can adjust while inflated. Once you get it as straight as you can, roll the tire on the floor pushing straight down with hard force to help ensure good bond at the edges. After this, take the tire up to about 80 pounds and let it sit for at least 24 hours.

If you are going to run deep carbon wheels, do yourself a favor and spend a few bucks on good quality valve extenders. I'm not talking about the chincy type that just screw onto the existing valve. Get the type that requires you to remove the valve core from the valve stem. This type threads onto the valve stem and you replace the valve core on the extender. This allows you to maintain control of the air going in and out at the end and will never require using an Allen wrench to let air out of your tires.

Have at it...