When you're in the middle of your cyclocross race, much of your success comes down to the construction and handling of each component of your bicycle -- especially your tires. And because a cyclocross race often involves more natural, unpredictable environments than traditional road racing, your tires need to be up to the challenge. If you're having a hard time picking what cyclocross-friendly tires to use on your bike, third-party critics have identified several specific products that offer the best in terms of performance.
Hutchinson Bulldog Tubeless CX
Hutchinson's cyclocross tires won a "Gear of the Day" award from "Bicycling" magazine. While cyclocross fans may debate whether tubeless or tube tires are the best, the magazine reports that one characteristic of this product remains undisputed: it has exceptional traction and come made with high quality material. Features include a folding bead, a speed-maximizing low weight of just 390 g each, and a threads-per-inch of 127. The magazine concludes that these tires will give you "race quality bite" in the heat of your next cyclocross match.
Clément LAS
BikeRadar.com handed Clement's cyclocross tires four out of five stars -- one of the highest ratings on the site. They praised features like its durometer rubber, thread knobs in variable sizes that grow bigger along the tire edges and give it mud-grabbing capabilities, and supple threads that come in a TPI count of 128. Plus, it's named after the United State's biggest cyclocross race, which may bring you good luck if you're the superstitious type. In the end, BikeRadar concludes that these tires will catapult to the top of any cyclocross rider's list.
Challenge Grifo 32
In its 2010 buyer's guide, "Bicycling" magazine reports that these durable cyclocross tires will perform well on pretty much any terrain in which you'll find yourself in your next cyclocross match, whether it's dry dirt, steep mud or wet grass. Features include well-placed tread knobs that help give you both a powerful braking bite as well as exceptional grip, plus good handling on sharp corners.
IRD Crossfire
Other racers will be caught in your crossfire on IRD's cyclocross tires. BikeRadar.com praised them, saying that their multistep tire blocks and supple casing led to "good all-around performance." They're ideal for wetter, muddier racing conditions because the sidewalls are heavier and not as flexible as some of the company's other tires. Expert cyclocross racers may appreciate the directional grip, which you can flip back and forth to help you fine tune your cyclocross track handling.
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