File tread recommendation

othello

In the spirit of being positive, I'm thinking of the summer and hard fast CX courses

What file treads (clinchers) do people go for, considering they might get limited use? Chicanes, or Griffo XS? Something else?

Any other tips for riding hard ground in the summer or early season? I guess tyre pressures a little higher to avoid pinch punctures with clinchers?

ugo.santalucia

Vittoria XN?

Incidentally I have a pair (clinchers) which I have used a couple of times... if you want them...

trek_dan

Gravel Grinder open tubular clincher worked well for me over summer. Couple of times this year during the league proper I wish I had them on rather than Griffo tubs as most of the early/middle rounds might have only had 1 or 2 localised mud patches.

imposter2.0

For hard ground - Clement LAS, or Xplor USH or Xplor MSO - all worth a look.

ChrisSA

I've got some Challenge Almanzo Pro. Grifo XS rebranded for the gravel market, and in a better colour
Gravel Grinder looks like a wider Chicane to my eyes. I do like tan sidewalls.

devhads

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Vittoria XN?

Incidentally I have a pair (clinchers) which I have used a couple of times... if you want them...

Vittoria XN are pretty poor at low pressures. I know you're not likely to run them too low in the dry hard conditions but I'd avoid them.

I've got a pair of them in tubular flavour on my grass track bike and anything below 25psi they're scary. I definitely wouldn't want to use them for cross.

Chicanes are good in clincher or tub. I use the clincher version for early season races and they are fast but you can also really trust the lugs in cornering. Bontrager CX0 look good too and set up well tubeless. These will be my tyre for the Three Peaks this year if I get in again.

ugo.santalucia

devhads wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Vittoria XN?

Incidentally I have a pair (clinchers) which I have used a couple of times... if you want them...

Vittoria XN are pretty poor at low pressures. I know you're not likely to run them too low in the dry hard conditions but I'd avoid them.

I've got a pair of them in tubular flavour on my grass track bike and anything below 25psi they're scary. I definitely wouldn't want to use them for cross.

Why would you run a filed tyre for dry terrain below 25 PSI?

devhads

ugo.santalucia wrote:

devhads wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Vittoria XN?

Incidentally I have a pair (clinchers) which I have used a couple of times... if you want them...

Vittoria XN are pretty poor at low pressures. I know you're not likely to run them too low in the dry hard conditions but I'd avoid them.

I've got a pair of them in tubular flavour on my grass track bike and anything below 25psi they're scary. I definitely wouldn't want to use them for cross.

Why would you run a filed tyre for dry terrain below 25 PSI?

Mainly for comfort on hard bumpy ground but also for better rolling resistance on said bumpy ground and for cornering grip.

They're the only tyre I've ever used that grip improves with increased pressure. I know this is a CX question but I use them for grass track which if you haven't heard of it before is what it says, track bikes on a grass oval. Most people run tubs at low pressures for the above reasons. The first time I used them my back wheel was all over the place, which until you get used to it is a bit disconcerting on a fixed wheel bike in a bunch at 25-30mph. I asked some seasoned riders including national champions about it and they all said, take a bit of pressure out, I did, they got worse. I tried higher pressures they got better. That's why I wouldn't recommend them. An off road tyre that loses grip with reduced pressures kind of defeats the object whatever conditions you're using them in. It might just be the tubulars that do this.I still have them on my grass track bike as I've got used to the slidy back wheel, it kind of freaks out those people on my wheel but that's not necessarily a bad thing

VamP

Yup, avoid the Vittorias. Not sure why but they got their CX offering woefully wrong.

Chicanes are really good, and they are more versatile than other file treads, if for example there is a chance of rain, or there is a couple of wet sections on an otherwise dry course.

tgotb

VamP wrote:

Yup, avoid the Vittorias. Not sure why but they got their CX offering woefully wrong.

Chicanes are really good, and they are more versatile than other file treads, if for example there is a chance of rain, or there is a couple of wet sections on an otherwise dry course.

^ Listen to this man. He uses file treads literally all the time...

othello

Thanks everyone. Sounds like Chicanes might fit the bill. I'll keep an eye out in the sales!

trek_dan

Halfords Ebay shop have got folding Conti X-Speeds in for £13 each if you want something cheap. Just bought a pair for the training bike.

barry_kellett99

Chicane looks to have slightly more prominent shoulder knobs than the Clement LAS which I have used and found to be remarkably grippy on suitable terrain. Doubt you will go wrong with either of them

VamP

Yeah, the Chicane side knobs are same as the Limus. The Chicane is really an intermediate tyre, albeit a quick one. I have found decent grip in mud with them - you have to remember to lean them over though