What tyres do you use on a cyclocross bike when on the road?

Thinking of getting a cyclocross bike for use as an all round training bike (+ a turbo) and perhaps some cross races next year.

As a lot of the time my rides will be wholly on the road/cycle paths etc what tyres should I use?

Is it just a case of ‘normal’ road bike tyres but wider e.g. 700×32?

Thanks.

I’ve got a pair of Conti Ultra Gatorskins for road use on my CX bike. 700x28c. Work really well.

Think you’ve answered your own question there

I just run normal road tyres that I had lying about the shed. I think they are 700 x 25. They fit my tricross wheels fine. Don’t know how narrow I’d want to go with the state of roads round here. The tricross came with specialized borough 700 x 32 tyres. They are quite a road biased tread but still felt quite draggy on road. Great on smooth hardpack like converted railways. Any decent commuter tyre would do as well.

Go light but not nec narrow. Some decent 700 x 25s will roll well, & offer comfort without feeling like you’re towing a log.

EDIT my point is basic 700 x 32s may not ride much better on tarmac than your cross tyres.

I just use cheap tough rubber, schwalbe 25c Blizzards.
My crosser ie becoming my training/winter bike after the season, fitting guards as well. So I’ll be using it on the Chiltern classics.
No need for big rubber, I used Blizzards for the Hell of the North.

Buy one today and race with me Sunday.

i’ve got a pair of michelin world tour 35c and a pair of 25mm gator skins.

the world tour roll well but are amazingly heavy (they are £4.99) if you could find a light 28/32c tyre (pasellas maybe) then they’d be ideal.

you could use racing tyres of course. really up to you.

Ok, thanks all, I’ll prob get something slighter wider to what I use on the road.

Oldgit – thanks but just checked my training plan and it doesn’t allow a race this week 😉

Prob gonna get it between xmas & new year, Phil Corley’s are doing 17.5% off everything until the new year.

Are you racing the bowl next year?

I have Schwalbe marathon 700c*32c, when one of the pair finally gave up the ghost I replaced it with a similar sized offering from specialized

I use the Schwalbe CX comp tyres. They’re cheap and are slick enough on the road not to be horribly draggy but also have enough side grip to go off road if you need to.

Oldgit – Do you mean the Thursday night road or cross ion the Autumn?

Roter – need something I can use on a turbo.

EDIT my point is basic 700 x 32s may not ride much better on tarmac than your cross tyres.

Slick 32’s will ride brilliantly on road.

need something I can use on a turbo.

Cheap spare fleabay back wheel and http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti%20hometrainer.shtml

poppa – Member
Slick 32’s will ride brilliantly on road.

Much greater choice of light tyre in 25 rather than 32.

No good for the turbo but don’t CRC do Kenda Small Block 8s 700×32 for a tenner each (folders)?

Jase both really.
Just pop on 25c fine for road/path and turbo.

Yeah hoping to have a go at both but will see how I feel in April when it starts up again!

Just had a look to see if Challenges Paris-Roubaix tyre ever made over here. Seems not. Shame it was a treaded 27c copy of the old tubular. Looked ideal for winter roads.

I’ve been running Specialized Boroughs on mine. Dirt cheap, roll well and grip harder than ‘road’ tyres.

I use Schwalbe Marathon Racers – they seem able to handle the abuse when I inevitably end up with them on a juicy piece of track.

Currently got Open Pave 24’s on, but once it warms up back to Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp quattro 23’s.
Why anyone would want to use 32 tyres on the road I can’t understand.
I do have GP4 season 28’s on my Portland though which are ok.

You’ve restricted yourself to slicks with your requirements which seems to negate the main reason for buying a CX, the fact that you can take it anywhere…

I use mine with Schwalbe Smart Sams on it, part worn so reasonably quick on the road but still enough grip to use most off-road trails without too much problem.

Obviously can’t use them on a turbo though…

agree with crazy, dont bother trying to be as fast as a road bike, buy the small block 8 on crc for 10 each or some michelin jets or some other fast cx tyre, that will take you anywhere fast apart from the gloopy mud

Slicks are just to be used during the periods when I’ll be on road and the turbo only.

Not bothered about speed as only training so puncture protection mpre important than weight.

I switch between proper road tyres (23c’s) and cx tyres (32-35c mix) – but then I only have a cx bike

Thing is OK light tyres/wheels are way nicer to ride – you’ll feel more motivated!

You’ve restricted yourself to slicks with your requirements which seems to negate the main reason for buying a CX, the fact that you can take it anywhere.

my 35c monsters are surprisingly capable off road; 50psi and they will get through anything not too gloopy and non technical

Currently I’m using Landcruisers as I am waiting for some 4 season 28mm’s to turn up. They’re slow but puncture proof and you can take anywhere.
I use an old road tyre for the turbo trainer. I don’t use decent tyres on it as it kills tyres. I’ve got this on my decent wheel which usually lives on the road bike but since it’s not getting used at this time of year…
If I wasn’t waiting for the 4 seasons then I may consider some touring tyres such as Marathons. But I find road tyres are quite tough and they’ll survive tow paths etc. Tyres make quite a difference and my commute is taking up to 10 minutes extra with my current heavy tyres (it’s 20 miles).

I run Specialized All Condition Armadillos in 700 x 28c on my Tricross bike

work fine, much quicker than the original CX tires, but with a bigger volume than a pure road racing 23c tire so more comfort and protection for the rims from potholes and kerb edges, and of course the puncture protection of the Armadillo casing

As a lot of the time my rides will be wholly on the road/cycle paths etc what tyres should I use?
Roter – need something I can use on a turbo.

Then I would suggest you need two different tyres for your rear wheel. I have actually used the CX comp tyres on my turbo. They are a little loud but worked OK but better is a turbo specific tyre.

I use Landcruisers on and off road all year round.

The op has asked what tyres to use on the road.

The answer is ROAD TYRES, narrow and light. Anything else is a compromise. You may as well recommend 1.5 tyres for his mountainbike because they will work. They will work but not as well as the real deal.

Some of the cycle paths here are gravel and a bit muddy they would cut road tyres to pieces.

Road tyres I use are Conti gp4000s punture resistant, loads of grip, look good!

A friend uses 28/32mm slicks and some off road knobbles on a 28/32.