Following up for posterity:
It is unlikely I will race CX on the Gravel Grinder TLR's.
For mixed terrain training and "dorking around" they're a great, all-around, dry conditions tire.
However, when doing some hot-laps, they were just too skittish for me to comfortably push them hard.
Pressures needed to be over 30 psi for sufficient sidewall support, but this made it harder to access the sideknobs.
On hard, especially grass, cornering they still hook up great (with the higher pressures). But at race speeds on shallower corners, especially loose-over-hard, they had little traction and I felt myself unwilling to go as fast as otherwise possible. This lead to a lot of "catching on" on the straights.
I think this tire design (file tread with side knobs) may work better in 33c width because the narrower tire means the sideknobs are closer to the centerline.
Additionally, as a tubular more traction would be available with the possibility of lower tire pressures.
Final Update:
This weekend sums up my experience with the Gravel Grinder: 75% of the time they're 100% great.
I finished the last 400m of a new PR on a gravel climb with a flat rear tire. Fast enough for the PR, but...
I talk a lot - Give it a listen: http://www.fasttalklabs.com/category/fast-talk
I also give Training Advice via http://www.ForeverEndurance.com
The above poster has eschewed traditional employment and is currently undertaking the ill-conceived task of launching his own hardgoods company. Statements are not made on behalf of nor reflective of anything in any manner... unless they're good, then they count.
http://www.AGNCYINNOVATION.com
It is unlikely I will race CX on the Gravel Grinder TLR's.
For mixed terrain training and "dorking around" they're a great, all-around, dry conditions tire.
However, when doing some hot-laps, they were just too skittish for me to comfortably push them hard.
Pressures needed to be over 30 psi for sufficient sidewall support, but this made it harder to access the sideknobs.
On hard, especially grass, cornering they still hook up great (with the higher pressures). But at race speeds on shallower corners, especially loose-over-hard, they had little traction and I felt myself unwilling to go as fast as otherwise possible. This lead to a lot of "catching on" on the straights.
I think this tire design (file tread with side knobs) may work better in 33c width because the narrower tire means the sideknobs are closer to the centerline.
Additionally, as a tubular more traction would be available with the possibility of lower tire pressures.
Final Update:
This weekend sums up my experience with the Gravel Grinder: 75% of the time they're 100% great.
I finished the last 400m of a new PR on a gravel climb with a flat rear tire. Fast enough for the PR, but...
I talk a lot - Give it a listen: http://www.fasttalklabs.com/category/fast-talk
I also give Training Advice via http://www.ForeverEndurance.com
The above poster has eschewed traditional employment and is currently undertaking the ill-conceived task of launching his own hardgoods company. Statements are not made on behalf of nor reflective of anything in any manner... unless they're good, then they count.
http://www.AGNCYINNOVATION.com
Last edited by:
xtrpickels: Sep 17, 18 8:53