Cyclocross or gravel grinder for wider tires
08-28-19, 07:31 PM
#1
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Cyclocross or gravel grinder for wider tires
What is the widest tire you can put on your cyclocross or gravel grinder? I enjoy having wide tires and am thinking about getting a cyclocross or /gravel grinder...
Mike Adams
Mike Adams
08-28-19, 08:06 PM
#2
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My current bike can fit up to 50mm.
https://blackmtncycles.com/
It totally varies based on bike brand/model. At this point, everything marketed as gravel or cx should be able to clear a true 40mm tire. Just no reason not to since there dont need to be any quirky design accommodations to clear that.
https://blackmtncycles.com/
It totally varies based on bike brand/model. At this point, everything marketed as gravel or cx should be able to clear a true 40mm tire. Just no reason not to since there dont need to be any quirky design accommodations to clear that.
08-28-19, 09:42 PM
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I can only clear 33 mm, which is fine with me based on the roads and trails here.
You want a gravel bike, not a CX. The distinction is subtle, but being made to do well in a particular style of racing isn't the same as a versatile all roads bike. UCI limits CX tires to 33 mm, it's more common for a gravel bike to be able to clear 50. And CX bikes are less likely to have all the frame attachment points you want eg for panniers and fork mounted water bottles. But these are broad categories, it's better to narrow it down to a handful of specific bikes.
You want a gravel bike, not a CX. The distinction is subtle, but being made to do well in a particular style of racing isn't the same as a versatile all roads bike. UCI limits CX tires to 33 mm, it's more common for a gravel bike to be able to clear 50. And CX bikes are less likely to have all the frame attachment points you want eg for panniers and fork mounted water bottles. But these are broad categories, it's better to narrow it down to a handful of specific bikes.
08-29-19, 06:03 AM
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Some CX bikes like the Giant TCX can fit bigger tires like gravel bikes.
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08-29-19, 08:34 AM
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700x40 to 45 seems to be the standard on most modern gravel bikes but there are are some bikes that will clear much larger tires such as the All-City Gorilla Monsoon that fits a 27,5x2.4 mountain bike tire. I am running 27,5x2.2 Continental Race Kings on my Trek Chekpoint ALR4 for the local stuff XC Mountain Bike tires seem like the best way to go, we have loads of unmaintained dirt roads that get too rough for a 700c gravel tire but no rough enough to warrant a proper Mountain Bike so a gravel bike with 2.0 to 2.2 XC tires is the best way to go here.
08-29-19, 10:10 AM
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There are no distinct lines where a blanket answer would suffice for this question. Every bike company does something different with their CX and/or gravel bikes, so you have to look at each company individually to answer that question.
08-29-19, 04:44 PM
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Yep. Some gravel bikes are basically road racing bikes with discs and clearance for 40 mm tires, all the way to touring bikes, to essentially mountain bikes with drop bars. Depends on your desired style.
08-30-19, 09:44 AM
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Generally, a modern CX bike will take 38 or 40mm but not bigger. As stated, it depends on the bike.
40 is the standard for Gravel, but some of them take 29er mountain bike tires...
40 is the standard for Gravel, but some of them take 29er mountain bike tires...
08-30-19, 10:49 PM
#10
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09-04-19, 05:14 PM
#11
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I've got 40mm on my Focus Mares with comfortable (but not exactly excess) clearance.
09-18-19, 07:56 PM
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Waheela-C (Otso) can be built up with tires ranging from all-road 700Cx28 through road-plus 650Cx53 to trail-ready 700Cx53 (29x2.1) for rough terrain.
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09-19-19, 09:31 AM
#13
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I have a friend that runs 2.8's! He has one of these:
https://bearclawbicycleco.com/beaux-...vel-plus-bike/
It's an awesome bike-I wish I needed one! I'm pretty happy with the 650b X 48's on my graveler tho.
https://bearclawbicycleco.com/beaux-...vel-plus-bike/
It's an awesome bike-I wish I needed one! I'm pretty happy with the 650b X 48's on my graveler tho.
