*shoot me now* What All Round CX Tyre?

It’s finally happened. After many years I have caved in and need to post a what tyre thread. So apologies to all 🙁

Is it better when riding mixed terrain, no racing, but will be likely more road than off-road. To go for a touring type tyre like a Schwalbe Land Cruiser, maybe Smart Sams, or something with more off-road leanings like a Scwalbe Sammy Slick, Kenda 8 Blocks, Spesh Tracer Pros or Conti Cyclocross Speed?

So to summarise, and yes this is moon on a stick content, looking for a fast rolling tyre that is good on road, but won’t spin up too much off road.

Also, other than weight, is it worth paying the premium for folding?

I like Smart Sams for general cross duty. Cheap, roll ok, big side blocks give decent mud grip and available in larger sizes for comfort and pinch flat avoidance.

No doubt someone will be along shortly to say they’re shoite.

My Arkrose came with Small Block 8s and they have been fine on 60plus mile mixed surface rides.

Saw an ad in this weeks Cycling Weekly for what I think were called Continental Cross tyres which seemed to be semi slick touring type tyres. They were £12.99 each which caught my eye.

I like my tracer pros. 100 psi for commuting and drop it down for off road.

No doubt someone will be along shortly to say they’re shoite.

That seems to be the way with tyres. It’s like they are all made of marmite.

Thanks for the replies so far, people.

It’s also the casing TPI count to look for.

I have the cheap conti cx race, wire bead and 84 TPI casing, if i splash more cash i lose weight with the folding bead and gain better rolling and traction with 150 TPI casing.
The higher the TPI the more supple the casing is, which is better than a stiff casing.

I’ve been running vittoria randonneur on my cx commuter, spot on for roads, but now things have got wet, next to useless off road, but they seem tough as old boots, might give some of the conti or schwalbe xc tyres you see cheap , but bit worried they may not be so tough?

To be honest I think both my cx tyres are “all round”. Just had a look on the mtb as well and they also are round ask over. I can’t think that they would be much fun if they weren’t.

It’s also the casing TPI count to look for.

I have the cheap conti cx race, wire bead and 84 TPI casing, if i splash more cash i lose weight with the folding bead and gain better rolling and traction with 150 TPI casing.
The higher the TPI the more supple the casing is, which is better than a stiff casing.

Interesting stuff. So a folding tyre with a high(er) TPI will roll better than its more rigid wire beaded variant?

To be honest I think both my cx tyres are “all round”. Just had a look on the mtb as well and they also are round ask over. I can’t think that they would be much fun if they weren’t.

These continental speed cx tyres are quite good

/snicker

So they’re not good? Or they are good, but you were thinking about chocolate bars?

I’ve just bought a pair of Tracers for this type of role, so hopefully they’re marvellous. I’ve been using Michelin Jets for the same job during the summer, which have been great, but have caused a bit too much clenching in the autumn mud.

My previous experiences would suggest that one should not under estimate the “all round” tyre’s ability to be scarily disappointing in proper off road conditions, so better to pump up an off-road-leaning tyre a bit hard for road use, than the other way round.

You gone for the Sport or Pro Tracers, Bol? Think the difference is wired (sport) v folding (pro).

….and do they look as similar to the Kenda Small Block 8s as the pics seem to indicate?

Conti speed are ok as long as it is not muddy. Use them during summer for mixed riding and they are pretty good and fast. No use what so ever in mud.

Challenge Grifo Pro Clincher
Maxxis Raze

might also be worth a look.

Conti speed are ok as long as it is not muddy. Use them during summer for mixed riding and they are pretty good and fast. No use what so ever in mud.

Problem is, if we have another wet winter, which looking out the window looks likely, then any off road is probably going to be muddy.

Hmm. As feared it seems the best option is there isn’t really one option.

Fast rolling for the road = rubbish off
Good off road = donkey on ice skates on road.

Schwalbe xc tyres – Cheap, Tough (did 3peaks with no punchers)3000 miles on a rear tyre so fare to say they are hard wearing. At £15 each you cant go wrong. Forget folding expensive makes which are a complete waste of money.

Schwalbe xc tyres – Cheap, Tough (did 3peaks with no punchers)3000 miles on a rear tyre so fare to say they are hard wearing. At £15 each you cant go wrong. Forget folding expensive makes which are a complete waste of money.

I’ve ridden Landcruisers for 2000 miles now without a puncture but had to mincewalk a wet rocky descent in them today. They are amazing tyres for rides that include road and tracks with some grit/stones.

You gone for the Sport or Pro Tracers, Bol? Think the difference is wired (sport) v folding (pro).

Pro. I hope that’s what they’ve ordered anyway. I might stick a Terra on the front when it gets really muddy, but I have a feeling at that point that I’ll just stick road tyres on and go the long way to work.

I’ll probably stick some Kevlar liners in them to make them more puncture resistant. Worked a treat on my famously fragile Jets.

I like Smart Sams for general cross duty. Cheap, roll ok, big side blocks give decent mud grip and available in larger sizes for comfort and pinch flat avoidance.

No doubt someone will be along shortly to say they’re shoite.

I like the Schwalbe Smart Sams too – used them for the Three Peaks and my usual riding in the Peak District. Only slight downside is they’re quite heavy. If Schwalbe would be good enough to bring out that tread on a folding bead, tubeless ready tyre that weighed about 150g less, it’d be the perfect CX tyre.

I did wonder why there wasn’t a folding version of the Smart Sam.

I’ve ridden Landcruisers for 2000 miles now without a puncture but had to mincewalk a wet rocky descent in them today. They are amazing tyres for rides that include road and tracks with some grit/stones.

They do look bullet proof…literally, but the weight, man! The weight! 😛

Schwalbe xc tyres

Er?

I’ve got Smart Sams and they’ve been fine for all trail centre routes and roll quick on tarmac, not the best on some loose corners or really soft mud and I feel the tyre walls could be stronger.

I’m about to replace them due to wear but as I mostly off-road I’ll be choosing something different.