Road tyres on CX

[Ootini]

Hi all,

My Ridley XBow is currently running Challenge Grifo 700 x 32c's but I'm hoping to do a few road sportives in the summer. Obviously the challenge tyres aren't great on the road being very knobbly. Could anyone suggest some tyres that would be better for road use? Also should I stick to 32's or go narrower? Most road tyres I've seen are between 23 and 28 as a general rule. Whats the narrowest I could put on my rims? I don't know exactly what kind of rims I have by the way, sorry, but I know they're the standard issue ones with a XBow.

Thanks

 

[Kies]

any 700 x 28c or 700 x 25c road tyres will work fine. asking for preferences will give you a list as long as your arm.
look at some reviews of the following in no particular order ...

GP4000
GP4000 S
continental gatorskins
vittoria rubino's

but to name just a few

 

[Ootini]

Great, I think it was more the advice and safety aspect regarding the tyre width I needed more than anything.

Thanks very much for your time.

 

[BSRU]

Great, I think it was more the advice and safety aspect regarding the tyre width I needed more than anything.

Thanks very much for your time.

You need to know the rim size and then use Sheldon Brown's table as a guide, see "Width Considerations"
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

 

[Ootini]

Am I right in thinking that the narrower a tyre is the less "drag" it produces?

 

[mattobrien]

I have got 23mm tyres on my 'cross bike'. It is a cross frame with discs, that is set up as a wet weather / winter bike. The rims I have can take anything from 23-32mm quite happily.

I am currently using Michelin Pro 4 Endurance tyres as I had them on the previous bike. I expect I will move to 25mm width tyres when these run out, but no problems so far with narrower tyres.

 

[DaveyM]

I have run Specialized armadillo nimbus 28's with great success on my cross bike for road use. I've also used Schwalbe Marathons for a bit more tread.

 

[Ootini]

I'm 99% certain these are the wheels I've got : http://shop4cross.com/laufrader/systemlaufrader/4za-stratos-schwarz-weiss.html

 

[rafletcher]

Am I right in thinking that the narrower a tyre is the less "drag" it produces?

Not really. Main source of drag is you. Rolling resistance of the tyre is more measurable, and generally larger profile tyres have a lower rolling resistance. If I were you I'd fit 28mm Ultremo ZX for a summer sportive. Comfy, grippy and fast, but not the most puncture resistant (naturally)

 

[Ootini]

Not really. Main source of drag is you. Rolling resistance of the tyre is more measurable, and generally larger profile tyres have a lower rolling resistance. If I were you I'd fit 28mm Ultremo ZX for a summer sportive. Comfy, grippy and fast, but not the most puncture resistant (naturally)

Can I just ask is there any particular reason to choose 28mm, as opposed to 25mm or 32mm?

 

[boydj]

Not really. Main source of drag is you. Rolling resistance of the tyre is more measurable, and generally larger profile tyres have a lower rolling resistance. If I were you I'd fit 28mm Ultremo ZX for a summer sportive. Comfy, grippy and fast, but not the most puncture resistant (naturally)

Recent research has confirmed that rolling resistance is actually less with slightly wider tyres at slightly lower pressure as it allows the tyre to conform to the road surface, rather than bouncing as happens with narrower tyres, with 28mm being recommended.

 

[Old Plodder]

Yes, 28mm are a good all round tyre, trouble is finding them in stock anywhere, for some unknown reason most shops seem to stock 23mm or big 37/40mm tyres, oh & those funny looking ones, you know the ones, with big knobs on..........