Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

^ dis

My 6 foot brother is coming to visit this weekend and is keen on having a go at the London league since we will be there.
Does anyone have a bike they could loan him ? Will pay in Belgian beers or waffles.

Will he pay in bike washing services?

bicycle will be returned clean and oiled, that goes without say :)

Mine's probably a little small for him? 54 square.

If we don't find him one, he'll use my 48, I'm pretty sure everything else would be better.
You won't be racing ?

Both true.. I do feel a bit silly, but I needed an overnight dry shoe, got impatient and ended up taking the chance. I will try heating them up a bit more than 70 degrees cel and then see if I can re-mold them using a screwdriver handle.
I already bought some new Bont Riot MTBs, but owning two pairs would probably be all right.
I was really fond of the Hammer CX. You dont really need the hatchet when you got a neoprene sock.

@Howard
@The_Seldom_Killer

He can borrow my bike this weekend but would need to pick up from London Fields, it's got slicks on atm - XL Giant tcx slr 2

I'm sure I've asked this before, but any recommendation for a proper mud tyre compatible with tubeless rims.

I'm running Michelin Mud 2s which are fine in intermediate conditions, but now it's properly wet I want something with a more aggressive tread. I've got a pair of Bontrager CX3 but hell will freeze over before they go on my Iron Cross rims. I've just received a pair of Vittoria XM but the tread is not as aggressive as I wanted. Anything else? I'm tempted by the Specialized Tracer 2Bliss but am concerned they won't go on my rims.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/zee-m640-2013-10-speed-shadow-rear-derailleur-ec041931#features

would one of these work with sram 10 speed shifters?

No. It won't even work with Shimano ten speed shifters.

But luckily for you, SRAM blessed us with compatibility across ten speed road and mtb groups, so a type two X7, X9, X0 derailure will all do the same thing as that Zee.

I've been getting on with the Vittorias (on a tubular casing) okay in the muddier races thus far this year. Those paddles mean they're great in a straight line but could perhaps be a little better going around stuff. They'll probably only last this season though as the knobs aren't all that deep.

Specialized Terra perhaps? I used them last season and they were great other than being a little narrow for my tastes and a bit fragile (I punctured them twice in about 4 races before ripping a sidewall on the last lap of the last race of last season). I'd guess the tubeless variant will be a bit bulkier so they might avoid that. I'm using Specialized tubeless tyres on my mountain bike at the moment and they feel pretty tough.

thank you

Maybe look at Rocket ron? What about Clement pdx?

Edit: quick Google tells me neither will work properly tubeless.

Have you considered tubulars? Less faff, non? The wheels light-bicycle made me have been good so far.

Maybe just glue rotors to the hubs of those old mavics?

I've got tubs to race on, this is for training.

Think I might try the Vittoria XL, looks more aggressive tread wise than the XM.

I'm using Schwalbe x-one and they are holding up well on the muddy trails of Epping.

x-one are good, but they're not really mud tyres.

How does the nomenclature for vittoria tyres work? I thought it was 'G' for grifo, 'L' for limus but then what does 'M' stand for?

Maybe look at Rocket ron?

Small lolz (from the MTB crew)

Actually, you know what, unlike their MTB parents they look crazy aggressive.

I'm sure I've asked this before, but any recommendation for a proper mud tyre compatible with tubeless rims.

Maxxis Mud Wrestler might be worth a punt, maybe the Challenge Grifo clincher - we have some running with tubes and they look very aggressive. maybe mount the front in reverse for extra. Haven't tried them tubeless though so do a bit of research first if you like the look of them.

They shed very well apparently.

I'd be interested to see how the vittoria XLs perform, they look similar to Rhinos.

FWIW I like riding on less grippy tyres than I might race on so as to be very used to sliding

Challenge Grifo clincher

Research says no. Too leaky.

Lolz "If you are considering tubeless as you seek better performance and a more comfortable ride than your current vulcanized clincher, please consider the use of a handmade Open Tubular tire, which has a higher ride quality and shares many of the same benefits. Higher thread counts and flexible, natural rubber provide a tire that hugs the road, inspires cornering confidence and reduces the amount of road vibration that reaches your body. Tubeless tires typically take a traditional, bouncy, vulcanized clincher tire with less grip and reduced comfort.
"

Research says no. Too leaky.

Grifo Pro current version is not a skinwall, if that's what's causing the problem.

Oh!

That was the issue. Although the skin wall looks so pretty.

Good list here: http://www.cxmagazine.com/going-tubeless-cyclocross-tires-racing-recommendations