28mm dirt tires and CX

[Milzy]

Hey all, I was reading the gaurdian on a cold frosty morning and thought about getting a CX bike. I then remembered I'd just bought a winter disk brake bike so could perhaps put off road tires on and use that. The problem is, it will only take up to 28 mm tires. I'm having little success finding dirt tires of this size but there's some gravel road tires. Should C.X tires really start at over 30mm??

 

[S-Express]

CX tyres are generally between 32-35mm, as those are the typical widths which have been allowed by the regs. Take a look at the Kenda Karvs - which may fit..
https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Karvs-28mm-Folding-Black/dp/B008823EB4

 

[Salad Dodger]

I guess there is a distinction to be drawn between
1) Riding your "more or less road bike" off road, using different tyres
and
2) Competing in actual cyclocross.

There are all sorts of technical regs for bikes competing in 2) and I don't know anything about them. But there are maximum tread widths specified.

If you are in the 1) category, then gravel tyres may be good enough for light off-road excursions. You may find in claggier ground that mud will collect between the tyres and front forks/seat stays/chain stays so you have to stop periodically to unclog them. (Designed for cyclocross bikes are usually wider in those areas, to prevent build up of mud). But as you would be on a non-competitive ride, I imagine that you could live with that....

 

[Milzy]

Ok thanks I've made up my mind. I'll get a pure CX bike next year

 

[vickster]

Ok thanks I've made up my mind. I'll get a pure CX bike next year

Or now

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/merida-cyclo-cross-md-3-52cm-tiagra-sora-£300-dewsbury.211846/

 

[Milzy]

Or now

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/merida-cyclo-cross-md-3-52cm-tiagra-sora-£300-dewsbury.211846/

Not bad but I'll go C2W Scheme again

 

[vickster]

Not bad but I'll go C2W Scheme again

Cost you more than £300
Might be scrapped in next budget too

 

[Milzy]

Cost you more than £300
Might be scrapped in next budget too

They may as well scrap it as I've seen people try loads of times to cycle to work and they can't cut it. Our work place just has well established cyclists benefiting. Especially when your LBS will put you anything through such as wheels, group set or frame only

 

[DCLane]

Or now

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/merida-cyclo-cross-md-3-52cm-tiagra-sora-£300-dewsbury.211846/

Not bad but I'll go C2W Scheme again

Ah well. It's got bars that I think I bought from Vickster in 2014 and never used until now!

 

[vickster]

They may as well scrap it as I've seen people try loads of times to cycle to work and they can't cut it. Our work place just has well established cyclists benefiting. Especially when your LBS will put you anything through such as wheels, group set or frame only

It'll be the government scrapping it not your employer
I don't really understand what you mean about not cutting it?!

 

[Milzy]

It'll be the government scrapping it not your employer
I don't really understand what you mean about not cutting it?!

Government I know. Not cutting it. Fat middle aged men come to work twice but say it's up hill on the home so come in the car from then on.

 

[Milzy]

Ah well. It's got bars that I think I bought from Vickster in 2014 and never used until now!

It's a lovely sweet little thing but I said I'd never touch Sora again. Once you're used to new 105 and ultegra etc Sora feels like Soreen.

 

[vickster]

Government I know. Not cutting it. Fat middle aged men come to work twice but say it's up hill on the home so come in the car from then on.

You're a real charmer aren't you

 

[Milzy]

You're a real charmer aren't you

It was a bit blunt as I was on my way out but it's only what I've seen so far sadly