And another bump. Back when I was racing cx every weekend for a few years, I ran cx specific tires (Grifos usually) and even had a pit bike. Sold all that stuff a while ago. Been out of cx for a few years and want to get back into it. Should I buy cx specific tires or just run my pathfinder pros? Will they bite/grip as well in off camber grass, dirt, steep loose climbs etc? I’ll be on my Giant Revolt. I don’t care about usac/uci regs as the series in CO doesn’t care. Usually hot and dusty majority of the cross season here.
The pathfinders would be one of the only gravel tires to make a truly terrible choice unfortunately lol. Find something with any sort of tread or scaling and you’ll have a much better time.
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That’s what I was thinking, glad to have some confirmation on them! I might just snag some Grifos and toss them on a second wheelset.
I’m trying the 38 mm tubeless Grifos this year and so far like them a lot (previously ran a MXP front, PDX rear for all but the muddiest races). They are, however, by far the hardest to mount I’ve ever had.
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If the OP’s question is about what is best to race CX, I don’t think using gravel tires is the answer: using wider CX tires is the answer. A couple of companies make CX tires in 38mm and depending on rims measure 40mm plus. Pathfinder Pro’s are 
on a CX course, knobs not tall enough for cornering.
The answer I believe is wider. Horses for courses is also correct. Find some CX tires in wider width - I’ll race 38’s by Vittoria. Some MTB tires are super draggy on grass but some companies do mirror tread patterns on MTB tires and may be worth a look.
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I think that’s the route - cx tires in a 38 or so. Challenge Gravel Grinder look solid. Typhoons come in a 38 and even the Grifo.
I did a CX practice yesterday on my Pirelli Cinturato H tires that are 700x35 and blow out to actual measured 39mm. I had zero issues with traction on the grassy hardpack course and they had a lot of confidence in the corners. I did have one wipeout but that was from a pedal strike (racing on a gravel bike with low bottom bracket) that hopped the rear wheel too hard.
I would use these tires in any dry CX race honestly. I would look at any 38-40 tire even if gravel and if they have a large enough side lug, I would give it a go.
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Limus come in 38 as well.
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youve never run challenge tubeless tires, have ya!? haha
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I was specifically referring to the Challenge 38 mm tubeless Grifos.
Ahhhh sorry read that wrong!
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I could have been clearer. I enlisted my son, who’s done a lot more tire mounting than i have, to help, and he also agreed they are the hardest he’s ever worked with
I think I’m going to go with some Vittoria Mix 38s or I’ll just go with some baby limus in 33s
Far cry from when I’d be gluing up tubulars, getting my pit bike dialed, and running 5 miles or so a week.
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Hi,
The whole idea of CX is that it is stupid (“Fun”). It is made to be interesting to watch. The audience has whole time something to watch while the course is in small area and multiple categories with multiple laps.
The part of the fun factor is that the whole idea is to use handicapped equipment in the conditions where it is not suitable. Thats why part of the race track is designed to carry the bikes while it is not really possible to ride. Except some very specific guys (you know who).
The race time also is limited depending on the category. So I do not think there is much the same vs gravel except maybe the bikes are similar. The pure CX race bikes do not neccessary have mount points for bottles, mudguards etc. The gravel is not even the main surface to ride. Usually it is grass or maybe mud after the grass is gone 
what are you using for sealant in these? Had a similar tire from them for gravel that I really liked but they did terrible with Orange seal. I swear I was adding sealant every few rides. They just seem super porous?
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I just got these the other day and they blew up to 42s! I have been an Orange Seal fan for years but switched to Stans this year so I’ll be using that. Just the normal stuff. Tread looks good and they were on super sale at Excel. Even if I only do a couple of cx races (motivation is pretty low these days ha), they look like a fun tire to rip on singletrack with the gravel bike.
Have you ever swapped from an intermediate, to a mud tyre during the muddy season?.. it is a massive different. Difference between intermediate to intermediate is likely minimal, but using the right tread for the right conditions is very important, especially during the muddy or sandy events.
if you want to be competitive in the mud, you need a mud tyre. grifo’s just don’t cut it.
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You said tyre choice was 10% of the puzzle, i say they are one of the biggest pieces in the puzzle of being a good cx rider.
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We debate tyre choice because it’s one of the only things we can change that is not physiological i.e fitness, technique. Weight, we all know should be minimal, aero, not really a factor.
We are cyclists, we like buying upgrades, not riding up grades.
I agree, if I was to give CX a good go, I would have 2 choices of tyres; Grifo and Limus.
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I’m not so sure this is always true either, I just recently did an absolute mud fest of a MTB race and lost to a competitor who is typically 5-10 mins slower per lap than I am in dry/mild conditions (this race was 2 laps). The difference was he was on a full blown set of mud tire’s (slightly wider also) and I was still on my summer intermediate tire.
I lead and hung with him for as long as I could but as the course got sloppier during the race it wasn’t even a skill or fitness question - I just couldn’t get through the course as fast.
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