1st ride out on 'cross bike...bloody loved it!

ravey1981
ravey1981 Posts: 1,111
edited November 2014 in Cyclocross
Took my recently purchased cyclocross bike out for its maiden voyage today and it was brilliant.... takes me back to when I first started mountain biking with no suspension etc, really makes you pick you're lines and "ride light". My hands and arms took a bit of a battering on the really rough stuff but thats rougher than any race loop will ever be... I wish I'd bought one sooner! Now I need to get some miles in and get it to an event, after a few weeks off any bike and recovering from a dodgy chest it was hard work out there....

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Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    Great stuff...

    Yeah, today it was tough, after an inch of rain last night, the Chilterns were a right bog. We set off at 7 AM with the first light and did a couple of hours, really good day out. The Vittoria XG TNT at 25-30 PSI worked a treat and helped to hide a bit my lack of skill on the mud
    left the forum March 2023
  • ravey1981
    ravey1981 Posts: 1,111
    I had my tyres way too hard i think, 60psi, but as it was my first ride I din't want to under inflate them and end up pinch puncturing. The tyres are probably crap as well so that won't help. I need some decent tyres (clinchers) for all round use that aren't going to wear out to quickly on mixed terrain grass, gravel and roads. Any recommendations?
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    ravey1981 wrote:
    I had my tyres way too hard i think, 60psi, but as it was my first ride I din't want to under inflate them and end up pinch puncturing. The tyres are probably crap as well so that won't help. I need some decent tyres (clinchers) for all round use that aren't going to wear out to quickly on mixed terrain grass, gravel and roads. Any recommendations?

    Michelin Mud or Clement seem to be the choice for most. I have a few Vittoria (XN and XG) and I like them.
    left the forum March 2023
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Ugo - what are the XNs like? I was going to pull the trigger on a pair tonight - raced at Milton Keynes yesterday in some very muddy conditions, and I felt that my 30mm Mud 2s didn't quite provide enough grip.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    cjcp wrote:
    Ugo - what are the XNs like? I was going to pull the trigger on a pair tonight - raced at Milton Keynes yesterday in some very muddy conditions, and I felt that my 30mm Mud 2s didn't quite provide enough grip.

    You mean XM? The XN are file thread for summer hard pack and gravel...
    Never owned a pair of XM, so dunno...
    left the forum March 2023
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Balls. Yes, I meant the XMs. Ok.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • plodder73
    plodder73 Posts: 326
    Where is that second picture, looks familiar?
  • ravey1981
    ravey1981 Posts: 1,111
    Langber Lane, heading towards Otterburn from Settle, having just passed Bookilber Barn.

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