Debusama

It seems like all the tire companies make cross tires for either mud or hard-pack conditions. In my area, we have some mud in the early spring, which becomes hard-pack in early summer, but by cross season the trail traffic in combination with the dry summer have ground away the top layer of hard packed dirt and turned it into a layer of dust and gravel that also collects in certain areas to become several inches deep. Can anyone recommend a tire that does well in these conditions?

fietsbob

What tires do The other folks, on the podium places, show up with?

Debusama

The only one that comes to mind is a friend of mine who seems to end up on the podium of every race he enters, and uses the same tires I had on my bike last year (Ritchey Speedmax) He, however, has ridiculous bike handling skills and doesn’t seem to mind sliding around every corner. Of course what I really need is better bike handling skills, and I’m working on that, but in the mean time I think I’d sacrifice a few watts to rolling resistance for a more aggressive tread that would give me the traction I need.

Barrettscv 

A small block tire, as large a size that will fit your frame.

https://clementcycling.com/400/xplor-mso

https://www.kendausa.com/en/home/bicy...py-medium.aspx

https://www.kendausa.com/en/home/bicy...ock-eight.aspx

https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_ti...s/%252Fcx_comp

fietsbob

heres a bunch.. https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...p?category=180

Something like this appeal? https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...9&category=180
Or, https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...6&category=180

flargle

Michelin Mud 2

simonaway427

Clement PDX are getting rave reviews as an all-rounder.

adam_mac84

something that will dig through the top layer of smooth/loose stuff, or wide enough to float on top of it... I'd think Mud2's would be a decent choice, i'd probably want wider spacing than the small blocks, but id bet something plenty wide would do the trick with the small block

Fat Boy

I raced on these last year and I've done a lot of training on them as well. I feel they were pretty decent for dry stuff. https://www.serfas.com/products/view/266/refererroducts|index|tires|road-tires|page:2

In the end, I'm not sure that they roll quite as nice as a small block 8 or have quite the grip of a Mud2. They have small tread blocks, but enough open space to allow it to dig in to the dirt a little. My rear tire is getting a little worn, but it hasn't really seemed to hurt performance much. All in all, they're a pretty good option.

Having said all this, I think I might be looking at a Kenda Small Block 8 or Slant 6 tires this year (assuming I can't get some tubbies built up).

Erik_A

I use Kenda Kross Supreme's 700x35 clinchers as my training (off-road tire), cheap with a MTB type tread:
https://www.treefortbikes.com/product...me-700x35.html
https://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/wh...2_2489crx.aspx

CliftonGK1

That's one of my 2 favourite pairs. I have 33mm PDX Crusades, and 32mm IRD Crossfires.
The PDX runs wide, and measures mid-34mm on a 19mm rim.
The Crossfire runs narrow, and measures just under 31mm on the same rim.

duffmanrb

I ran the small block 8s as a total newb last year. They are great for loose dirt and can handle the occasional mud as well, though the tread will clog up. There was one course with loose deep sand and they handled that okay despite my too-high air pressure. I have 2 other sets of tires for this year but I will still use the SB8s for hard dirt and grass.

STP

I absolutely, hands-down HATED the Ritchey Speedmax. It was slick and slimy in the middle and wasn't terribly better in the corners, but that sounds like what your friend likes about them.

I LOVE my Clement's, both the PDX and their file tread tire, the LAS. The PDX is great in the mud and then you should switch to the LAS later. But, that's the advise I'd give you regardless of the tires you choose. You should mount the tires that fit the conditions.

Jesmith09

It really depends on the course. If the loose is found on climbs that are more than 2% grade, you need a rear that can dig. If it's only in corners, you need a front tire that digs....if those loose corners are off camber and/or downhill, you need a tire that both floats and corners. All arounders for harpack are kind of hard to fine. However, if you have a course that is flat or with firm soil on climbs and.or climbs you can carry momentum into, a digging center tread is no necessary. You usually want a tire with larger side knobs and a low profile center tread on the rear and an all around tire on the front for courses that have firm climbs with squirelly corners. If you have some significant ups, you'd better be able to dig with the rear, and you want a skinny back there, 30c or less. Since it isn't mussy, you don't need to have wide spacing, so you can pick up something with closely spaced center treads that with roll fast. I usually always run 32 or larger up front for cornering. I have basically every tire Vittoria makes, and a Set of Michelin Mud 2s. The bud is skinny, 30c, roll fast, and digs well. Those loose climbs can just destroy you, and I recommend it for that. If there are no loose climbs, I'd run the Vittoria Cross Evo XN in the rear. I always run the Cross Evo XG up front in the conditions you describe. If it's all hardpack, I run two XNs, and if its slop, the XM. I know that's a lot to read, but there is no universal tire for that.....those variable's I talked about are key. No nead for center tread in the rear unless you have loose climbs. I know Challenge also makes good tires. I just really love the Vittorias having tries just about everything.