L2B Off Road - CX Tyres

Not done it on a cross bike but done it a couple of times on a mountain bike. I might give it a go on my cross bike this year, but my mates do it on MTBs. Did see a few people on cross bikes last year. Most of it is hard packed path with a few more technical bits that can get muddy. Did see a guy on a cross bike walking a descent in the North Downs as it was too slippery and technical. The climb up onto the south downs is quite rocky as is the descent. I would go for something more knobbly as it will be fine on the Downs Link path, better in the muddy bits and just a bit draggy on the road sections. Still quicker than an MTB though.

towersw wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Vittoria XG seems a reasonable compromise for summer

Ugo, will these fit alright on Crest ZTRs?

The bike came with them, heard they're a nightmare for a lot of tyres...

Hard battle with those rims!

Your best bet is to use 29er tyres, which is what these rims are designed to take... provided any of them fit in your frame... mine will take up to 1.5 inch tyres... most 29er are > 2 inch

drlodge wrote:

Difference between 29er and 700c tyres is...what exactly? Width? They're the same diameter.

It's a mixture or rim profile and width, I have tried to come to terms with the difference in this article, but probably needs updating

http://paolocoppo.drupalgardens.com/con ... ake-matter

towersw wrote:

Ugo, I found an old thread that had a picture of a bike of yours (black bike, green detailing, brooks saddle, ZTR Alpha 340s) - what tyres did you have on that set up?

Follow this thread: http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12942781

40mm Schwalbe Smart Sam will fit a Crest rim no problem and should run tubeless - don't go too high on the pressure though. I've been spending the last week near Peebles and riding my CX bike around The MTB trails at Glentress and Innerleithin - a couple of laps of the red XC course at Innerleithin was working my tyres hard- Surly Knard 700x40. Got a few funny looks as most as riding full-sus all mountain / enduro rigs and certainly the only bike with Campagnolo in the whole forest! If the bike can survive this, then they'll be laughing at the stuff back home - off to Isle of Mull for some real wilderness!

towersw wrote:

Monty Dog wrote:

40mm Schwalbe Smart Sam will fit a Crest rim no problem and should run tubeless - don't go too high on the pressure though. I've been spending the last week near Peebles and riding my CX bike around The MTB trails at Glentress and Innerleithin - a couple of laps of the red XC course at Innerleithin was working my tyres hard- Surly Knard 700x40. Got a few funny looks as most as riding full-sus all mountain / enduro rigs and certainly the only bike with Campagnolo in the whole forest! If the bike can survive this, then they'll be laughing at the stuff back home - off to Isle of Mull for some real wilderness!

Monty, will 40mm Smart Sams easily fit a Crest 29er rim?

I just wrestled off the Schwalbe Marathons (35mm)... blisters galore.

I've run them on Crests as well as my mate on a number of times along the Southdowns Way. It would appear that the newer ones have slacker beads judging by difficulty in getting new tyres to run tubeless - ghetto rimstrip is the answer.