Cross tires on a hybrid?

With the winter season and slush and snow soon to be here, I was thinking of making my hybrid bike (that I can't seem to sell) into my winter bike and get some use out of it. The tires I have now are Bontrager Hardcase Racelite (slicks) 700x32, and the rim and fenders can handle up to 700x38 (maybe even 700x40).  Are cross tires good for the slushy streets? I know they shed mud and gunk, so I am thinking they would be great for the mushy slush patches I run into when cycling. I am looking at a few options and just wondering- I really have no problem running the slick tires, but I hate having to cringe every time my tire slips in the slush and loose snow like it did last year and am hoping this may help alleviate that somewhat.  Any ideas on the best brands, most cost effective, etc.,  would be great, too.  

 

Thanks!

Melanie

 

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Permalink Reply by Melanie K on November 21, 2011 at 5:35am

Thanks h'!  I like the suggestion and the look of the tire -this will be my 3rd year of winter riding, and I never considered a tire with tread like that, but would be willing to try it.  Like I said, I can get by on the slicks, but sometimes they can be iffy over the frozen slush and the semi-hard packed gunk that I seem to be forced into riding through at times so I wanted to experiment this year. I will check them out.  

Permalink Reply by ad on November 21, 2011 at 5:38am

I use a set of 700 x 32 Ritchey Speed Max Cross tires during the winter months.  They have never (knock on wood) flated on me, are reasonably light with lowish rolling resistance, and do not cost a fortune ($25 a tire at most).  They have a file tread, so similar to what h' posted above (small knobs on outside and slightly raised diamond-shaped tread in the middle).  I've found them to be nice traction-wise in light snow and slush.  Ritchey tires also seem to be fairly true to size, meaning they are actually 32mm wide when inflated (instead of 28 or 30mm like some tires).  Here is a link, though I've seen them around locally as well: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C6DDEG     

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on November 21, 2011 at 5:42am

I should probably get back to work, but I actually was looking at the Ritchey Speed Max before I logged in here to get some advice- since I couldn't see the exact tread from the picture at Amazon, it really is helpful to read your description and experience. Hmm. Decisions decisions. Hopefully it won't snow or get nasty before I decide on a pair of tires LOL... I like the idea of true to size- the Bontragers and my rims are not very friendly (it is a bear to change the tire, luckily they don't flat that easily). 



ad said:

I use a set of 700 x 32 Ritchey Speed Max Cross tires during the winter months.  They have never (knock on wood) flated on me, are reasonably light with lowish rolling resistance, and do not cost a fortune ($25 a tire at most).  They have a file tread, so similar to what h' posted above (small knobs on outside and slightly raised diamond-shaped tred in the middle).  I've found them to be nice traction-wise in light snow and slush.  Ritchey tires also seem to be fairly true to size, meaning they are actually 32mm wide when inflated (instead of 28 or 30mm like some tires).  Here is a link, though I've seen them around locally as well: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C6DDEG     

Permalink Reply by Joe Willis on November 21, 2011 at 6:11am
I have an extra set of 700 x 35 Ritchey Speed Max Cross tires if you are interested. They are brand new but mounted once for a mock up on a build.shoot me a PM if interested.
Permalink Reply by Melanie K on November 21, 2011 at 6:16am

PM sent :) Thanks!

Joe Willis said:

I have an extra set of 700 x 35 Ritchey Speed Max Cross tires if you are interested. They are brand new but mounted once for a mock up on a build.shoot me a PM if interested.

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