A cross bike that's comfortable when running 25 mm tyres
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Evening all. I feel like I may be searching for something that doesn't exist here; but nevertheless I'd appreciate the experience of the internet on this one.
A couple of months back I shod my Boardman CX Comp with some 25 mm rubber and undertook a bit of an experiment to see how it stacked up against my road bike performance wise. To my surprise there wasn't a huge difference in speed; from 2 minute climbs, to 10 mile TTs and hilly 60 milers there wasn't a significant difference between the two bikes time wise.
There was significant difference though, and that was how stiff the CX is when running such low volume tyres. This really started to have an effect over the longer distances, especially when the road conditions deteriorated and after a while it left me feeling a bit battered.
Now, the whole thing's made me realise there's the potential for one bike to do everything I want; and if it wasn't for the eye-wateringly stiff rear end the Boardman could be this bike. So my question is, is there a cross frame out there that's comfortable to ride when shod with ~25 mm tyres?
A couple of months back I shod my Boardman CX Comp with some 25 mm rubber and undertook a bit of an experiment to see how it stacked up against my road bike performance wise. To my surprise there wasn't a huge difference in speed; from 2 minute climbs, to 10 mile TTs and hilly 60 milers there wasn't a significant difference between the two bikes time wise.
There was significant difference though, and that was how stiff the CX is when running such low volume tyres. This really started to have an effect over the longer distances, especially when the road conditions deteriorated and after a while it left me feeling a bit battered.
Now, the whole thing's made me realise there's the potential for one bike to do everything I want; and if it wasn't for the eye-wateringly stiff rear end the Boardman could be this bike. So my question is, is there a cross frame out there that's comfortable to ride when shod with ~25 mm tyres?
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Comments
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I suppose the first question is: why? If you're running 25mm tyres, you're not (I believe) using it for CX. I also doubt that there's much of a difference between 25c and, say, 28c or even 30c tyres on the bike in terms of speed.
It might also be that the Boardman is just pretty harsh. I rode my brother's CX Team on this year's Rapha HotN and it battered me to death even on 28c tyres at off-road pressures. I really didn't enjoy riding it.ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH0 -
Yeah, I suspect the root cause is the bike. And that could apply to other CX bikes as well. FWIW my XLS is soft and smooth running road tyres. But then they are 37c! My Ritchey was fine on 28c.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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I suppose the first question is: why? If you're running 25mm tyres, you're not (I believe) using it for CX. I also doubt that there's much of a difference between 25c and, say, 28c or even 30c tyres on the bike in terms of speed.
It might also be that the Boardman is just pretty harsh. I rode my brother's CX Team on this year's Rapha HotN and it battered me to death even on 28c tyres at off-road pressures. I really didn't enjoy riding it.
Sorry, I probably didn't make myself clear in the first instance; but if I can find something suitable I'd replace both the Boardman and my road bike with a single machine that could do both jobs with a quick tyre change.
I've mooted larger volume tyres, but the 35mm Vittoria Radonneurs that I tried previously had a significant impact on overall speed. Whether this is due to their weight/tread I don't know.
The XLS has already caught my eye, however I'd be keen to hear from someone who's tried it on some skinny rubber.What We Achieve In Life, Echoes In Eternity0 -
Well, I'd imagine some of the latest "gravel" bikes would do the job pretty well. My Volagi Liscio has been great too and can take up to 35c IIRC but I run it on 25c and, on those tyres, it's every bit as quick as my Scott Foil and runs disc brakes.ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH0
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I've got a Felt F3X I use as a winter bike. That normally lives on 25c (tubeless Hutchinson Intensive) tyres. It has carbon bars and a carbon seatpost, which I suspect adds a lot to the comfort, but it's certainly not a jarring ride.0
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I'm using a Boardman CXR 9.8 Frameset, Wheelsmith Race24 wheels (Hope Pro2 Evo hubs) and Ultegra DI2 as my wet weather/winter stead. In the summer I put 23's on and in the winter 28's. With the 23's on its just as quick (on the flat) as my sub 7kg summer bike (Felt Z1).
The CXR 9.8 frameset (2015 model) is reduced down to £800 now.0 -
I've done plenty of long rides on an Uncle John X bike with 23mm tyres on. Seemed great to me and if I had to live with just one bike of my many - it'd be this one. So versatile and I think as fast as my road bikes.0
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Were they regular wire beaded Randonneurs or the Pro with high thread count and folding bead?I've mooted larger volume tyres, but the 35mm Vittoria Radonneurs that I tried previously had a significant impact on overall speed. Whether this is due to their weight/tread I don't know.0 -
Are you lowering the pressure when at 25mm ?0
