Wheels and tyres
Wheels and tyres
While you’re unlikely to have any influence over the tyres an off-the-peg machine is specced with, cyclo-cross tyres come in a variety of tread patterns for different conditions and an upgrade can vastly improve the characteristics of a bike.
Swap in a road tyre or semi-slick rubber for fast riding, or choose a mud tyre when preparing for a slick ‘cross race – and there are plenty of options in between.
Cyclo-cross bikes are typically sold with clincher wheels, which allow for quick and inexpensive puncture repairs by swapping an inner tube or gluing on a patch.
Cyclo-cross racers, however, often upgrade to tubular wheels as the tyres offer a more supple ride and can be run at lower pressures, therefore improving grip on slippery courses without the risk of pinch flats. Tubeless tyres offer a happy medium between the two but often require a tubeless-ready rim.
Wheels tend to be standard 700c road hoops, and, given the off-road rigours of ‘cross, more emphasis is placed on durability and strength, though weight remains important when racing.
A quality hub will last much longer in grueling winter conditions and Fulcrum are among the manufacturers to offer a cross-specific range of hoops with double-sealed hubs to protect the bearings from mud and water.