Vittoria XM Pro

Dan Reiners said:

Jules, step outside, breathe some fresh air. all that aquaseal is going straight to your head.

Not everybody has the ability to have multiple wheels setup for different cross conditions.

Said the guy selling tubulars for less than the cost of a Floyd race?

I went for the Clements, cuz I'm lazy and hate replacing things. They were also marginally cheaper, which after GMSR, is beautiful. 

Would love to go tubular, but it's not the top priority at  this point. 

The clements probably have the best softest rubber of any clincher I've ever tried. This softness can sometimes allow for bad luck pinchs.

At Nittany there's a small single trackie bit, with some roots. Consider checking that section hot on pre-ride.

But otherwise you will fly!!

Make the most of the suppleness of either the Clements or the Challenges by running latex tubes
And get some marginal gains in the form 2-3 watts too with the lowered resistance
edit and they do pinch flat less frequently

Jules said:

Dan Reiners said:

Jules, step outside, breathe some fresh air. all that aquaseal is going straight to your head.

Not everybody has the ability to have multiple wheels setup for different cross conditions.

Said the guy selling tubulars for less than the cost of a Floyd race?

I am looking out for my less wheel endowed brethren. 

BTB "what's good" clincher recommendations
http://www.behindthebarriers.tv/whats-good/clincher-tires/
LAS and Chicanes covered here

I'm on the fence about going to Town Hall. Mostly because I'll be traveling to a lot of other races and haven't been to this one before. I know it's taboo on this thread but I'm considering racing a TT that weekend instead.

How does the Town Hall course compare with other MAC series races? I read old forum posts and people seem to like the course. Seems like Jim Nelson has a score to settle with the course. 

PatrickG said:

I'm on the fence about going to Town Hall. Mostly because I'll be traveling to a lot of other races and haven't been to this one before. I know it's taboo on this thread but I'm considering racing a TT that weekend instead.

How does the Town Hall course compare with other MAC series races? I read old forum posts and people seem to like the course. Seems like Jim Nelson has a score to settle with the course. 

Patrick, I posted a similar question in the "Town Hall" thread. If it helps (not sure why it would) BUT...you could count on me for company and gas money in the car.

Speaking of cars and gas money.  How is anybody getting to Nittany this weekend.  I would love to hop in someones car this weekend, as I have been driving a lot lately.  But if not, I can drive and take one and possibly two others with some advance planning.  Let me know.  

PatrickG said:

I'm on the fence about going to Town Hall. Mostly because I'll be traveling to a lot of other races and haven't been to this one before. I know it's taboo on this thread but I'm considering racing a TT that weekend instead.

Do the TT.  You seem to love them, it's a good workout, and it will keep you fresh for the cx races you want to do.

I have 1 available seat for Nittany, just for Saturday. Leaving from Prospect Heights, so Dale you're welcome to join me, or I am happy to pay for gas if you're driving.

Thanks Dan.  I'm planning on going both days and getting a hotel for Saturday.  Looks like Eloy and I will be headed up in my car unless I hear something else.

Dale no problem, best of luck for the weekend.

If anybody needs a ride up and back on saturday I am happy to drive. 

Dale Suttle said:

Thanks Dan.  I'm planning on going both days and getting a hotel for Saturday.  Looks like Eloy and I will be headed up in my car unless I hear something else.

I'm doing the same plan, except getting a motel both Friday and Saturday. I (and probably Jill) are going to head into Philly Saturday for dinner if anyone is interested. 

I'm staying at my in-laws about an hour away in NJ for both days. 

not a whole lot of us in the UCI races... but here's the duh solution for #cxwatergate 

Two guys from November bikes tubeless tire recommendations. I will be running the WTB Cross Boss as my all aroinder 
http://www.novemberbicycles.com/blog/2015/9/3/tubeless-testing-summary-report.html

So after making sure I had a set of file treads for Nittany, it looks like Sunday might have slightly different conditions due to overnight rain. Do I opt for a set of mud tires, or something mixed condition? 

If ever in doubt, Grifo/Chevrons treads forever.

Adam Fabian said:

So after making sure I had a set of file treads for Nittany, it looks like Sunday might have slightly different conditions due to overnight rain. Do I opt for a set of mud tires, or something mixed condition? 

As the resident "cheap" crosser with the least amount of equipment, let me say, that first owning a set of Grifos or other "all-arounder" (Clement PDX is popular), then also FULL MUDS, is kind of a minimum. I used to think that having one set of intermediate treads like the Fangos was good, but honestly, they are pretty useless in mud, and probably too slow for the dry.

When I finally got tubulars last year, I asked Mike Garrigan, what tire I should put on my only set of tubulars and he said Grifos without hesitation.

BUT, if you only have budget for one set of tires, I have heard that the "mud" tires from Clement, the PDX, is a good all around tire too. I think Trebon uses them all the time.

But if you have a little bit more cash go for one Grifo-type tire, and one full-mud.

PDX might seem like overkill some of the time but they'll certainly keep you upright and they clear mud pretty well. They are a little slower on stuff like tall grass but  really inspire confidence cornering

It's also perhaps worth noting, that there was a bit of a trend going on last year, where it seemed that some pros were racing file treads in "atypical" conditions. Of course these are guys who are very good bike handlers, on tubulars (allowing lower pressure and more grip), and in at least one case kind of "crazy."

The Grifo seems great, but unless REI has it, I won't be able to get it in time for this weekend. They do have the PDX, though. 

I grabbed bed a pair of LAS because so many of the races around here are grassy. Last year I just ran a set of Mud2s, and I think they were fine, but there were times where they were clearly not the right tire. I still have those, but the knobs in the middle of the back tire are pretty much gone. 

I guess I can hope that it stays dry for this weekend, and just run the LAS. My plan was to have a set of file tread, mixed conditions, and mud. (Assuming these will last a while since none are used daily).

Now I'm rethinking this. Is the PDX good enough to be both mixed condition and mud? Or do I go up to the Limus for the thick stuff?

Marc Bertucco said:

It's also perhaps worth noting, that there was a bit of a trend going on last year, where it seemed that some pros were racing file treads in "atypical" conditions. Of course these are guys who are very good bike handlers, on tubulars (allowing lower pressure and more grip), and in at least one case kind of "crazy."

I could see this happening. Maybe get more speed where you can get it. Depending on how wet it gets (if at all) I could see this being an interesting approach at Nittany. Take the speed where you need it and deal with any soft spots as they come. Not sure if I'd do it, but I could understand it. 

At Supercross a lot of Elites ran full muds last year because of one section of muddy-nasty, while the rest of the course was bone dry.

^what eloy said. There will doubtless be people selling tires there too