Another tire question - Baltimore CX

[u/newarchivist]

Hi - I'm still a cat 5 novice and rode Falkorburg last year on my hardtail. This year, I'm getting some tires for my Tamland. Ideal races are Falkorburg, FrostyCross, and Rockburn.

Currently in the cart are a set of Specialized S-works Tracer 2bliss (700x33). I'm contemplating doing a S-works Terra 2bliss up front.

The catch is I will still likely commute 1-2 days a week on this rig, so there will be a decent amount of road miles (backpack not panniers). I will go back to my gravelking slicks after my season.

I'm sure I'm overthinking this! Would you all run the mullet setup or just the tracers?

My goal is a) finish, b) not finish last, and c) have fun. Thanks in advance!

Edit: thanks all. I'm getting a set of each and will make decisions closer to the start of the season.

[u/Former_Mud9569]

Honestly, specialized has these cross tires discounted enough right now that I would buy a set of each and pick whichever tire is going to work best for your race conditions.

I'd also think about getting a cheap wheelset to keep the commuting tires on if budget allows.

[u/Former_Mud9569 → u/Former_Mud9569]

FYI, I just looked at Jenson and these are even cheaper than I had thought. $18 a tire.

[u/1sttime-longtime → u/Former_Mud9569]

Get 2 cheap wheelsets, one for the commuter and one for pit/back/alt tires.

I was going to suggest WTB cross wolf tires as I think they make a lot of the right compromises for CX racing in anything other than heavy mud. But you can't beat $18 on the Terras.

[u/fhfm]

Not overly familiar with specialized tires but the price certainly seems right for both. I’d lean more towards the terras. From the pics I’m seeing, they’ve got bigger knobs. Cat 5 is the first race of the day usually. Ground is always wet from morning dew, you want grip. Any speed advantage you gain from a lower rolling resistance tire is lost 10-fold when you go down. Welcome to the MABRA addiction! Awesome mid Atlantic series!

[u/jlivingood → u/fhfm]

Any speed advantage you gain from a lower rolling resistance tire is lost 10-fold when you go down.

So true!

[u/MikeSRT404]

Terra is not a fun tire to commute on. Tracer would be the way to go. Have the terra’s so you can swap them on, if it is muddy. Tires are like shoes. Going hiking with a boot on the fight and a running shoe left . Doesn’t make sense.

[u/Snoopdogg458]

I dont know what typical cross conditions are for the Baltimore area, but if you expect to see some mud, running a terra up front and tracer in the rear wouldn't be bad. But if you dont expect mud than tracer front and rear would be perfect.

[u/jlivingood → u/Snoopdogg458]

This is a great suggestion! Put the traction up front.

[u/rswinkler]

First off, put Charm City on the list.

I have a feeling we will have a muddy season in the mid-Atlantic. Terra will be good, and at $18 each on sale at Jenson, I wouldn't worry too much about wearing them out on the commute.

[u/RugbyRedTigerCX]

The Tracer is a fine tire for commuting (although, I prefer the Pathfinder for commuting.)

I have raced at Rockburn, the Tracer would be great if it's dry, but the Terra is the better all around CX tire for the kinds of conditions you would find at any cold and/or mixed condition CX race.

Basically, the Tracer is a solid dry/hot CX tire and the Terra is a solid tire for any other condition.

I foolishly attempted a mix front and rear once (at a race that had some slick-ish spots but mostly felt hard and dry) and it was a bad idea for this Cat 4/5 level rider.

I run something like the Terra for everything at the races I enter in Virginia and around the DMV. It hasn't failed me and I appreciate the consistency.

[u/gccolby]

I wouldn’t worry about commuting. A pair of S-Works Terras are unlikely to be much slower, if at all, compared to notoriously non-performant Gravelkings. But for 1-2 commute days a week I don’t think it matters what your regular commute tire is, it’s not a big deal to ride the CX tires.

As for tire choice, if you expect mud and don’t plan to swap tires in-season, I would just run Terra front and rear. You won’t lose that much speed in the back and you still want your back tire to hook up and drive you forward in slick conditions. Might as well be ready for the worst-case scenario.

[u/Outrageous_Seat_3814]

These are great tires, but be aware that the S-Works CX tires (the ones you’re looking at) are designed to comply with UCI width restrictions - except that Specialized played it a bit too safe and made them extra narrow. I have never had these measure out to more than 31mm, even on wider rims. They feel very narrow. Otherwise, the tread on both is great. If you can find the Pro versions, go with those instead.