Winter and Cyclocross tyres / tires

So are manufacturers going to stop making anything over 32mm tyres?

I might investigate 29 inch tyres to see if one will fit.

Possibly.
For (UCI-legal) racing, it's no use to produce > 32mm.
For MTB and touring etc, it may be better to do 35+++ (see 29")
So, real CX may stop at 32mm, but for other purposes, they may continue with 38mm and higher. But perhaps no super high quality.... until you reach racing class 29".

As disc brake equiped CX bikes, are becoming ever more common despite them being UCI illegal. I cant see the 35mm CX tyre size disapearing because UCI regulations. Race level tubs and clinchers might be harder to find though.

The UCI have approved disc brakes for cross now. They did so at the same time they placed these new restrictions on tyre width.

The UCI rules are only for high level racers so the high level cross tyre manufacturers (i.e Grifo) will adopt to those rules yes
For the rest of us (who don't even use tubs whereas a high number of UCI level racers would) I am sure there will always be plenty of >32c cross type clincher tyres available.

Agreed, apart from the tubs bit.

The vast majority of cyclocross races in the UK are not UCI sanctioned so the rules they have are almost irrelevant to your average cross rider. I think it's only the National Trophy races and the National Championships that are UCI ranked, and therefore held under UCI rules.

What bit don't you agree with the fact that most UCI racers use tubs or that most non UCI racers/off road users of cross bikes don't?

I under stand why the UCI allowed disk brakes.
I understand why there is s tyre size limit, but I don't understand why they bothered changing it 3 measly millimetres.

I'm well out of date with this cyclocross stuff. They'll be allowing those dangly gear changing thingies next.

Seriously though, are we about to see an influx of uber light, brake surface-less, carbon tubular CX rims? I've seen a few builds with light rims with carbon braking surfaces, and wondered how practical that would be.

What bit don't you agree with the fact that most UCI racers use tubs or that most non UCI racers/off road users of cross bikes don't?

From what I've seen from London Cross League events, the usage of tubs is about equal with the usage of clinchers. The amount of carbon rims still amazes me, some people must have money to burn.

Seriously though, are we about to see an influx of uber light, brake surface-less, carbon tubular CX rims? I've a few builds with light rims with carbon braking surfaces, and wondered how practical that would be.

I'm not convinced that the UCI rule change will see widespread usage of disc brakes at the top level as I don't think that cable operated discs, which are all that will work currently with road shifters, offer much, if any, improvement over cantilevers.

The question is how much innovation will occur with road compatible disc brakes now the rules allow their use? If one or two big manufacturers think there's a market then we'll see new models, if they don't then I don't see much in the way of new product development.

I reckon we will see hydraulic brake lever/shifters pretty soon. Campag are even offering CX specific stuff now so they must think the markets there. SRAM will probably have something sooner or later.

I'm presuming the carbon rims are bought for the road and people use the same wheels with CX tubs on over the winter?

There's a growing market for cyclocross kit, but how much of that is actually used in racing is not clear. The Evans around the corner from my office has 5-6 cross bikes on display but I think a lot of them are sold to commuters who think they are ideal for London roads and can use them to go out with the kids at the weekend.

I presume the same for carbon rims, but a season of cross must destroy them, all that braking with grit and mud on the surface must wreak havoc.

There's a growing market for cyclocross kit, but how much of that is actually used in racing is not clear. The Evans around the corner from my office has 5-6 cross bikes on display but I think a lot of them are sold to commuters who think they are ideal for London roads and can use them to go out with the kids at the weekend.

Cyclocross bikes do make the ultimate commuters though. Plus I always think commuters are put off road bikes, as they consider them to be purely for flat tarmac, and dont want to spend money on something so apparantly restricted.

My thoughts with the disc brakes, where that you could now use nice light pure carbon rims without the down fall of a poor braking surface. I would have also thought that if you are going carbon for CX. The tubs make more sence, as you wont have that vunrable clincher hook on the rim.

Just thoughts and ramblings though.

I am thinking of putting some cyclocross tyres on my old 80's MTB to enter a couple of events on a budget. Does any one have any recommendations (I can only find Schwalbe CX PRO on line) for suitable 26" tyres

just use thin MTB tyres? like 1.5's or such

I am thinking of putting some cyclocross tyres on my old 80's MTB to enter a couple of events on a budget. Does any one have any recommendations (I can only find Schwalbe CX PRO on line) for suitable 26" tyres

You can get adapters to use 28" in an MTB for 26" wheels (adapters to place brakes in the right position for bigger wheels). With disc tabs it's even easier, but probably your 1980's MTB doesn't have that.
If you have enough clearance, you can get your 28" road wheels with 28" CX tyres in your MTB.

Virgil - thanks, i have to buy new tyres anyway and had read that cyclocross tyres have less rolling resistance, But will look into that option.

DC - Good idea, I have just had a quick search and they appear to be £25 each therefore £50 for front and back which takes it out of the doing it on the cheap plan! i've just tried a 700 x38 touring wheel in the rear and cant quiet get a finger between the tyre and strut (?) behind the bottom bracket, although clearance on front forks and rest of rear would have been fine.

Another quick question you both may be able to answer, I presume bar end shifters would be better than trying to set up downtube shifters? (I will be using drops instead of risers as I will be using the bike on the road in the winter & to get to & from the events)

For drops, brifters or barend shifters will be the best choice.

Tyres: 38mm is too wide for CX.
Don't know, it may be the best for the area where you ride, but most common tyres are 32mm to 34mm. Wider than 34mm was even not allowed, now 33mm is the max.
Frame builders also use that as a max and most cx frame cannot take tyres wider than 34mm (chain stay clearance).
32 or even 34mm may work in your case, but if the adapters are too expensive, it's no option.

Not sure the tyre width is actually relevant as guessing this won't be a UCI event?

You could try Continental Cross Countrys if it is really muddy, they come in 1.5 and are rleatively light for MTB tyres. Or it is is not muddy then just try a touring type tyre made for 26"

Another quick question you both may be able to answer, I presume bar end shifters would be better than trying to set up downtube shifters? (I will be using drops instead of risers as I will be using the bike on the road in the winter & to get to & from the events)

Get some old 9 speed TT shifters. I have some old Dura Ace 9 speed bar end shifters wired to a deore 3 x 9 drivetrain, and works perfectly.

Racing on grass tomorrow, if the weather forecast is right it should be dry grass as its not rained in days, but its also next to a big lake so I suppose it could be a bit squidgy regardless. Which of my two non-ideal tyres options am I better off with? (I'll be DFL anyway, but I'd rather be on the right kit!):
1) Conti Cyclocross Speed (35mm) - file tread
2) Maxxis Larsen Mimo CX (32mm) - knobbly

I used Michelin Muds in most races, apart from when it's been dry for a couple of weeks, so I'd go for the Maxxis.

Where I live it's quite hilly and my winter tyres are far to wide and slow rolling I am using some 32's at the moment on my cross bike so I need something a bit moe fast rolling but safe in the damp conditions.
Cheers

Conti GP4000s or Gatorskin 28c?

maxxis refuse. Only come in a max of 25c tho. I think that's plenty if you want something fast.

Other people say vittoria randoners, but I haven't used them so can't comment. Also I think this has been covered on another thread...prolly the tyre thread, or the winter tyre thread.