Winter and Cyclocross tyres / tires

Converting an old Plug frame into a fixed CX-type thingy, basically something I hit the miles and miles of towpath around me hard, so rough, hard-pack type surfaces. It also may get pressed into service as a commute hack. I am buying a CX front wheel to I can fit an hydraulic disc brake, but the rear is likely to be an old one I have lying about (in need of me re-building the axle) so a narrower road rim. Trying to trying to decide on tyres, judging I want 28-32c, fairly slick with a more aggressive pattern on the front. Clearance shouldn't be an issue (fitting an CX fork aussi).

Would a 32c tyre be too big for the rear rim? Which are people's preferred semi-slicks?

Considering Randonneurs in 32, but maybe something more aggressive upfront for handling in loose surfaces, and a Durano 28c at the rear, crazy combo?

Most 'cross bikes run normal road rims with anything up to a 35 tyre and no issues.

If you are just pounding the hardpack and occaisional bit of mud then have a look at something like a scwalbe land cruiser for a nice hard centre profile with plenty of tread to dig into the ground when it gets soft underfoot. For many years this was the tyre of choice for the 3peaks cyclocross race which despite a couple of short muddy sections takes in a lot of tarmac, stone and hardpack terrain. Oh, and they are cheap as chips.

Ok, good info. I take it the 1.9in size they look to be available in is comparitive to what, 32, 35c?

I take that back, was looking at the wrong diameter, 35s

Looking for some ~32c tyres for road riding with light offroad (canal, slight dirt trails) sections, preferably gumwalls

Looking for some ~32c tyres for road riding with light offroad (canal, slight dirt trails) sections, preferably gumwalls

Panaracer Pasela

Any thoughts on Vittoria Randonneur Pros? While I will be pounding towpaths, I think this bike may become the main commute hack too, to save the tarck, or at least give me time to properly restore it

I used Randonneur Pros for quite a while a few years ago and they were very good. Good level of puncture protection, fairly light for size and level of protection with just enough grip on light off road.

light off road as in hard pack and shallow gravel?

You say the Land Cruiser is hard centre - living in sunny Manchester the most important factor for me is grip in the wet! How do they perform?

light off road as in hard pack and shallow gravel?

Yep, and a bit of mud. My light off road is anything in the New Forest, single track, gravel fire roads etc,. but no rock gardens and the like!

I have tried all sorts of tyres over the years and they are much of a muchness grip wise with the limiting factor being the narrow width (compared to a wide knobbly MTB tyre). Lower pressures are the answer for more grip but I have a bit of a mental block on low pressures.

That sounds like the sort of terrain I'd be hitting and more, so going to grab a pair methinks, ta for the info

I'm looking for a 32-35mm 'cross tyre with the highest tread depth possible. For climbing very steep, slippery paths, and needs to be good at shedding claggy mud. Anyone got any experience?

Challenge Limus is probably your best option. I really rate the Michelin Mud IIs but they don't have the deepest of treads. They are good in loose conditions though.

Oh yeah, should have said, I'm looking for clinchers. I'll be swapping my tyres out quite regularly for road / touring purposes.

My other consideration is: I am currently running 38s, which although clear the croix de fer forks and stays comfortably, when they pick up claggy mud the clearance is close enough for alot of build up. My wheels practically stopped turning yesterday. So I'm going for a 32 or 35 this time, but will big knobs mean that my clearance basically ends up just as close? Does the diameter refer to the profile of the whole tyre, or just to the tube?

Dunno. Just try it. Even CX tires for the muddiest conditions only feature blocks that raise a couple of mm from the tire. Could try the Rocket Ron, too?

Yep, been looking at the Rocket Rons.

Can anyone recommend 25 or 28c tyres for a winter club ride bike that is also my commuter that can handle some loose/mucky patches of rural Oxfordshire roads and short sections of grotty bike path?
I'm considering Randonneurs but I notice there are 2 types, one knobblier than the other.

Schwalbe Durano.

Avoid the rando sub 32mm (unless your buying it as a rear tyre for fixieskidding).

Thanks, I'll look into the Duranos. They won't be for skidding as it'll be on a geared bike.

Panaracer Gravelkings. Specialized Roubaix pro. Panaracer Pasela. All good tyres, and not excessively heavy.

Any recommendations for decent winter road bike tyres in 23mm?
Nothing bigger will fit under my mudguards.
Cornering in the wet and puncture protection are the priorities.

I've been using Rubino Pros up until now, which are fine for puncture protection but I'm not sure how much I trust them in the wet and wondered if there was better option.

I've enjoyed Michelin Pro4 Endurance and S Works Turbos

Nice one, thanks : )

Bought myself an extra wheelset for the mtb and a pair of 2.6" schwalbe ice spikers. This year, I'm ready for the hard packed snow and -10°C. Which will now never happen because I spent £150 on tyres.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XlihwfyEYs