650 wheels on a cross bike?

[MartianDestiny]

So I'm having a custom cross frame built so I can try out racing (it will become a light around town trail bike and bad weather road bike if I don't like racing)

Given my (lack of) height I (and my fitter) suspect the builder will come back with a first preference of 650's. My preference is 700's since that's what my road bikes are and I have a suitable set of wheels already.

So ladies that have some experience in this 'cross area, what say you? How big of an issue would racing 650's be? (I'll never be "good" so these will be lower levels, local races). Can I find GOOD tires in this size or am I stuck with one or two mediocre choices?

Trying to make an informed decision on what set of compromises I'll be most happy with.

Thanks!

[lunacycles]

There's no such thing as a 650c wheel for CX bike. Just no tires. 650c tires come in only slick, and either narrow (23c) and narrower (19-20c)--although Terry offers a medium quality 28c 650c touring tire made by Panaracer.

There are 26" wheels and some CX tire options (Schwalbe makes a decent one that is 26 x 1.35, good and legal for CX). I wish there were better and more varied options, but there aren't, yet. For my opinion regarding the rest of your question, I'll stick to this:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=36861

[MartianDestiny]

Ick, really didn't want to think about going 26" mountain wheels.

Basically destroys all the versatility I'd built into this. I don't want to end up with a basic mountain hardtail with wonky geometry should I not race cross forever; would rather convert to a bad weather commuter/extra roadie/easy trail bike (ie: leave it a cross bike). Building it around 26" really seems like it messes that up.

Not afraid of the 650's performance wise (was under the impression one was technically supposed to have 700's, at least at the higher levels) 700's are just so much more convenient for many reasons for me right now (have the wheels, tires are easy to get, etc). I guess 26" would be fairly convenient as well, just sort of ruins the "flip it to a road bike" ability which stinks.

[Cataboo]

How about 650b's?

There are brake adapters that allow you to put 700c's on a mountain bike... There's a set of paul bmx brakes for that allow you to run 650bs or 700c or 29er rims - they have more adjustment.

If you get disc brakes, you can swap between 650b & 700c wheels without any problem.

I was looking up building up a rawland's sogn for a long time because of the amount of versatility in the frame to run whatever size wheel you wanted - but finally decided if I really wanted to do that, I'd get a surly steamroller fork for my surly pacer & use long reach brakes to run 650bs on it & swap to 700c's. Cheaper than building up a new frame.

[MartianDestiny]

I'd be up for 650b's if I can get a reasonably narrow tire (and apparently there is a rumor that there will be a "mini moto" version of the quasi moto tire next year which may due well for cross).

I think, judging by my fitter/shop owner's reaction to me wanting to add disk tabs that our local racing scene is going to enforce the "no disks" policy.

So, I'll have a disk option, but gotta use canti's on my racing wheels (whatever size they may be), which shouldn't be a problem.

Bike clearance is the likely big issue at this point (if it is an issue; I'm doing all this preemptively so I know what I want when the builder gets back to us with options this coming week).

[lunacycles]

I've never seen a 650B tire appropriate for CX. That doesn't mean there isn't one, but 650B availability is less than any other size I know of, and I've never seen one with a tread pattern suitable for CX.

Disc Brakes are not legal for CX racing, last time I checked.

Martian Destiny:
Why do you assume 26" equals "mountain wheels?" What does that mean?
You can easily build a very nice, responsive, and well-fitting CX frame that will accommodate 650c (road) and 26" wheels--I do this all the time. It wouldn't have to resemble a "hardtail" in the slightest. 26" wheels don't need to be "mountain wheels." Go with a light velocity rim and 130mm road hub of your choice, double butted spokes...handbuilt and very sweet. My 26" CX wheels are the sweetest wheels I own, and lightest. There are also excellent, light, kevlar beaded 1 inch slicks (25c) that come in 26". If you are going custom you are welcome and usually invited/encouraged to think outside the box a bit.

Honestly, possibly the best advice I have: listen to whatever framebuilder you've chosen advises. If you trust the builder and they are experienced and know how to make a bike that really fits, s/he will take care of you.

[Cataboo]

Rivendell's website & harris cyclery have various 650b options - I have no idea whether or not they're appropriate for cyclocross or not.

If you look at this sogn build:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25671211@N02/3373730601/in/set-72157615670220313/

That's the paul's motolite bmx brake. You can slide the brakepad up & down those cantilever brakes - so you can swap between 2 sizes of wheels with those. So you could swap on 700c's on a 650b bike.

[Kathi]

Could you use a set of 650c Mavic Open Pro's? They were handbuilt for my road bike but they were overbuilt for me so I no longer use them. I'd love to find them a good home.

[MartianDestiny]

Honestly, possibly the best advice I have: listen to whatever framebuilder you've chosen advises. If you trust the builder and they are experienced and know how to make a bike that really fits, s/he will take care of you.


This is potentially my snag. I trust and highly respect my fitter/shop owner. The builder, while I know they make good bikes, is just simply the builder he uses (so I'm trusting them only by default). So, while I know they'll make me a bike that fits and that I love (because I trust my fitter when he says they will) I honestly don't know how many tiny bikes they typically build. (or how many customs for that matter as this is a production bike company with a small local custom side). And well, I'm kinda used to being my own best advocate and knowing exactly what compromises I'm making and that they are the compromises *I* want (because I'm generally not the typical small rider in build or mindset).

For instance I had no idea I could design a bike to run 26" "mountain" wheels (with a road hub I suppose) and 650 "road" wheels. The builder (when they get back to us this week) may indeed bring that up, but I like to know these things ahead of time ;)

I think I'd be ok with running a 26" wheel for cyclocross so long as I could convert to a 650 road wheel relatively easily for road use, which it sounds like I can. (I'll be perfectly honest, I think 26" tires look ridiculous on road bikes even in my size and I'm vain. Plus I don't want to run into the same issue of tire availability trying to find a slick that isn't 2.0 and designed for a commuter).

I won't be running disks for races, but the bike will have disk mounts (if I have anything to say about it ;)). I honestly don't know if I'm going to race past this season, so I want to be able to put some reasonable brakes on it for general trail and road use. I like stopping :D

Thanks for the input! It's been very helpful and informative. Being the researcher I am, I guess I'm not really letting the builder do his job ;)

My fitter did say he'd arm-wrestle me over the 700 issue, AFTER he said I had the most developed shoulder/back muscles he's ever seen, LOL. Apparently I'm a freak of nature.

[MartianDestiny]

Could you use a set of 650c Mavic Open Pro's? They were handbuilt for my road bike but they were overbuilt for me so I no longer use them. I'd love to find them a good home.

Maybe. I'll get back to you after the builder, fitter, and me settle on the final specs. Should be getting a call from the builder this week.

[MartianDestiny]

Rivendell's website & harris cyclery have various 650b options - I have no idea whether or not they're appropriate for cyclocross or not.

If you look at this sogn build:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25671211@N02/3373730601/in/set-72157615670220313/

That's the paul's motolite bmx brake. You can slide the brakepad up & down those cantilever brakes - so you can swap between 2 sizes of wheels with those. So you could swap on 700c's on a 650b bike.

I've been paroosing the 650b wheel options. Seems most of them are decidedly mountain and thus too wide. Those brakes look cool (and expensive ;) ). I'll have to keep them in mind.

[DebW]

My custom bike has both 650c wheels and 26" wheels. The 26" wheels are Ultegra road hubs and narrowish mtb rims. I use 26x1.3 slick tires on them, and I love them so much the I rarely switch over to the 650c wheels. The 26x1.3s are perfect for touring and commuting, and road riding over spring potholes. For touring on unpaved trails, I put on 26x1.5 tires. If you're going custom, you want the best fit without compromises, so don't insist on 700c wheels if that alters the optimal design. I'm 5'7" with long legs and short torso, and with my foot size and crank length, I couldn't have used fenders with 700c wheels.

[Kathi]

Who's you're fitter?

[MartianDestiny]

My custom bike has both 650c wheels and 26" wheels. The 26" wheels are Ultegra road hubs and narrowish mtb rims. I use 26x1.3 slick tires on them, and I love them so much the I rarely switch over to the 650c wheels. The 26x1.3s are perfect for touring and commuting, and road riding over spring potholes. For touring on unpaved trails, I put on 26x1.5 tires. If you're going custom, you want the best fit without compromises, so don't insist on 700c wheels if that alters the optimal design. I'm 5'7" with long legs and short torso, and with my foot size and crank length, I couldn't have used fenders with 700c wheels.

Glad to hear another instance of this being done.

What was your brake solution? Are you using disks or some sort of modifiable canti?

It could very well be possible that I'm happy with road modified 26" wheels given tire options, but I'd really like the option of going up to 650c's in case I don't.

[MartianDestiny]

Who's you're fitter?

Kathi,

My fitter is Chris Jacobson at Sports Garage in Boulder

Here's the shop's fitting page:
http://sportsgarage.net/articles/bicycle-fitting-services-pg124.htm

And his (short) bio at Serotta:
http://www.serottacyclinginstitute.com/staff.html

It's so nice having the best of the best a bike-ride away from home :)
I definitely HIGHLY recommend him (and really anyone else in there) for fitting, service, or bike purchases/advice. It's hands down the best bike shop I've ever set foot in. They're good people. I consider them all good friends.

(No, I don't get commission :) But if you stop in and tell them Trinity sent you they'll all get a good laugh. I've sent 4 or 5 people in so far that have walked out with bikes...)

[Kathi]

That's who I thought. You are definitely in good hands. Chris built my Custom Serotta-Ottrott, 48 cm frame with 650c wheels. The fit is wonderful!

At the time I didn't know Chris very well so it was a huge leap of faith for me to commit that amount of money to a fitter and a company I didn't know well.

The care that Chris and his employees took with me the first time I went into his shop convinced me I was in good hands. Besides, he had trained the fitter I worked with in Cincinnati.

[MartianDestiny]

Ooooo, custom Serotta!! That may be my PhD present to myself! I always drool over those in the shop. They are out of my league for now though.

I know far too well the "leap of faith" you speak of. People have been trying to get me to get a custom bike for awhile now and I just couldn't get over that trusting someone to build it to fit and ride the way I wanted without me, well, riding it first.

A year of riding with and 2 bike purchases (a Yeti and an Wilier) from Chris though and I had no doubt in my mind letting him get one built up for me. He said "custom Spot" and I said "when's the fitting" without batting an eye.

The first time I ever walked into the shop was about 20 minutes before they closed and on a school night (so I walked in like the typical student with a backpack, etc) wondering if they had an XXS Yeti I could try. It was late and raining so I expected to come back that weekend if they had one (I also never expected they'd have one). Chris spent 30 minutes on a trainer fitting me to that test bike, and then even though they were closed and it was raining INSISTED I go ride it and get it muddy as well as the other bike they had that would fit (a rocky mountain) for comparisons sake. Any other shop would have probably treated me like a stupid short chick that didn't know what she was doing and couldn't afford the bike anyway; especially at that time of day (and even a good shop would have told me to come back at a different time). Chris is just simply amazing.

Do you ever come ride up this way?

[DebW]

Glad to hear another instance of this being done.

What was your brake solution? Are you using disks or some sort of modifiable canti?


I have longer reach Shimano road brakes. Switching wheels means shifting the pads up or down a couple milimeters and fiddling with the pad angle. Because the 650c and 26" wheels have different rim widths, I also adjust the brake barrel to compensate so I get the same lever travel. The road brake caliper restricts the tire size I can use to 1.5" max. If you might want to run knobby cx tires, you probably don't want caliper brakes, and typical cantis are somewhat difficult to move and center the pads. Definitely pay attention to ease of brake pad adjustment in whatever brakes you get.

[Kathi]

Ooooo, custom Serotta!! That may be my PhD present to myself! I always drool over those in the shop. They are out of my league for now though.

I know far too well the "leap of faith" you speak of. People have been trying to get me to get a custom bike for awhile now and I just couldn't get over that trusting someone to build it to fit and ride the way I wanted without me, well, riding it first.

A year of riding with and 2 bike purchases (a Yeti and an Wilier) from Chris though and I had no doubt in my mind letting him get one built up for me. He said "custom Spot" and I said "when's the fitting" without batting an eye.

The first time I ever walked into the shop was about 20 minutes before they closed and on a school night (so I walked in like the typical student with a backpack, etc) wondering if they had an XXS Yeti I could try. It was late and raining so I expected to come back that weekend if they had one (I also never expected they'd have one). Chris spent 30 minutes on a trainer fitting me to that test bike, and then even though they were closed and it was raining INSISTED I go ride it and get it muddy as well as the other bike they had that would fit (a rocky mountain) for comparisons sake. Any other shop would have probably treated me like a stupid short chick that didn't know what she was doing and couldn't afford the bike anyway; especially at that time of day (and even a good shop would have told me to come back at a different time). Chris is just simply amazing.

Do you ever come ride up this way?

No, I haven't ridden in the Boulder area mainly because I don't know the area and it's so easy to ride out my garage and head anywhere in the Denver area that it's hard to put my bike in the car and drive to a ride. :)

Yes, a custom Serotta. After 2 road bikes that didn't fit I gave up and went custom. Like you say, it's very scary spending the money on a bike you have no chance of riding.

My experience with Chris and SG was this. I was new to the area and had promised myself a custom frame for my retirement. It was between Seven and Serotta and I called several shops in the Denver area. While they were very encouraging about helping me out they were very discouraging about having anything small enough for me to do a test ride. When I called SG their response was they had a smaller Serotta frame and they would do everything possible to match it to my current bike. When I arrived Chris met me at the door, greeted me like I was an old friend and indeed set the bike up close enough for me to demo and get a feel for a Serotta and a carbon/ti frame. Chris told me to focus on the frame materials and not the size of the bike. I thought the bike felt pretty good size wise and wondered if I needed a smaller frame. Then Chris sent me out on highway 36. We got around 15 miles in and while I loved the feel of the bike my body started to ache everywhere. Yes, a too big of a bike does not feel very good.

In January I set up an appt for a fitting and to proceed with the build. A week before the fitting I tore my ACL and had to cancel. I had surgery in late Feb. but Chris fitted was still able to do the fitting in spite of the injury. Of course, I worried that my injury would throw the fit off but when I finally got my bike, wow, it fit so perfectly not one thing had to be changed.

When I had knee and back issues last summer Chris saw that my saddle was contributing to the problem and recommended a different saddle. Later I bought the same saddle for my mtn bike from another shop (big mistake) who tried to fit it and had to take it to Chris for a proper fit. He made some other changes and wow how much better the bike rides. So now if I need to make changes to my bike Chris is the only person I'll take them to.

Are you going to the bike maintaince clinic that Outdoor divas and SG are doing tomorrow night?

[MartianDestiny]

Are you going to the bike maintaince clinic that Outdoor divas and SG are doing tomorrow night?

Thought it was Wed? I was still debating honestly. I don't need the maintenance advice but wouldn't mind getting more info on chick rides in the area. Were you planning on going?

Ah yes, the dreaded 36 on a bike that doesn't fit, no fun is it?

I had that experience after he convinced me I HAD to join the club last year (which was primarily road riding, but getting more mountain in this year!). Showed up to the first ride in February with my crappy old Giant OCR3 which had never been fitted to me and weighs something like 26 pounds and is a Sora level triple with only 8 rear cogs. Yea, you see where THIS one is going.

Chris pushed me, miserable, through most of that ride. ALL the way out to Lyons, ALL the way back in, refusing to let me quit and not saying a word (except those of encouragement) until finally I croaked (somewhere between gasps for air) "I don't think this bike is going to cut it" and the answer was "well I have one waiting on you to try out if you want". Which I of course did. Which is how I somehow ended up buying 2 bikes within 6 months (less?). And, O, what a difference 12 less pounds and proper gearing will make!

Now he has convinced me I need to try cyclocross so I can race and train with the club in the fall too. Thus the custom bike. Cunning little devil he is! But it's definitely a good friend saying "but this is AMAZING and you should try it" not some money hungry shop owner talking, which is what I love about SG. Chris drove me to his house so I could check out KC's Spot cross bike just to show me how sweet it was before I made my mind up. Yea, THAT's never going to happen somewhere else!

[Kathi]

Thought it was Wed? I was still debating honestly. I don't need the maintenance advice but wouldn't mind getting more info on chick rides in the area. Were you planning on going?

Ah yes, the dreaded 36 on a bike that doesn't fit, no fun is it?

I had that experience after he convinced me I HAD to join the club last year (which was primarily road riding, but getting more mountain in this year!). Showed up to the first ride in February with my crappy old Giant OCR3 which had never been fitted to me and weighs something like 26 pounds and is a Sora level triple with only 8 rear cogs. Yea, you see where THIS one is going.

Chris pushed me, miserable, through most of that ride. ALL the way out to Lyons, ALL the way back in, refusing to let me quit and not saying a word (except those of encouragement) until finally I croaked (somewhere between gasps for air) "I don't think this bike is going to cut it" and the answer was "well I have one waiting on you to try out if you want". Which I of course did. Which is how I somehow ended up buying 2 bikes within 6 months (less?). And, O, what a difference 12 less pounds and proper gearing will make!

Now he has convinced me I need to try cyclocross so I can race and train with the club in the fall too. Thus the custom bike. Cunning little devil he is! But it's definitely a good friend saying "but this is AMAZING and you should try it" not some money hungry shop owner talking, which is what I love about SG. Chris drove me to his house so I could check out KC's Spot cross bike just to show me how sweet it was before I made my mind up. Yea, THAT's never going to happen somewhere else!

Oops, I meant Wed. I keep thinking today is Tuesday. I'd love to go but I'm in Silverthorne for the week. It's still ski season. Divas needs to do a clinic at the Denver store for us Denverites in late April or May.

Yep, sound's like Chris and I hate to say he's right! I'm glad he didn't invite me to join the club, especially for cross, he knows I wouldn't be happy on anything but a Serotta Cross.

Chris sets such a high standard it's hard to go to any other LBS.

[MartianDestiny]

Chris sets such a high standard it's hard to go to any other LBS.

I know! I'm already worried about how much I'm going to spend in plane tickets and/or gas if I ever move away from here! I don't think I could bear going anywhere else!

And it sounds like there's a reasonable likelihood of Divas/SG doing this again. Seems they are up to 30 reservations already; maybe the next one will be in Denver.

[Kathi]

I know! I'm already worried about how much I'm going to spend in plane tickets and/or gas if I ever move away from here! I don't think I could bear going anywhere else!

And it sounds like there's a reasonable likelihood of Divas/SG doing this again. Seems they are up to 30 reservations already; maybe the next one will be in Denver.

Wow, good for them. I think Divas/SG are a good match. Sorry I can't be there.

I hear you, it seems silly to drive to Boulder when there are shops here. I moved to the wrong town, Divas and SG are my favorite shops.

[MartianDestiny]

Wow, good for them. I think Divas/SG are a good match. Sorry I can't be there.

I hear you, it seems silly to drive to Boulder when there are shops here. I moved to the wrong town, Divas and SG are my favorite shops.

Not silly at all!!! It's quite possible I'll have to move to Cali if I stay in this field and I'm already contemplating the two possible outcomes. 1) I fly to CO every time I need a bike shop (and try to consolidate needs) 2) find a new field and stay here!

Yes, stay in a town because of the bike shop, LOL!

[MartianDestiny]

Not silly at all!!! It's quite possible I'll have to move to Cali if I stay in this field and I'm already contemplating the two possible outcomes. 1) I fly to CO every time I need a bike shop (and try to consolidate needs) 2) find a new field and stay here!

Yes, stay in a town because of the bike shop, LOL!

But, if you were here in Boulder you'd probably have 3 new bikes in 2 years like me too!!!!

It's hazardous to your paycheck!

[Kathi]

That's my problem, I don't have a paycheck, I'm retired. And I also spend way too much at Divas on ski gear.

[Kathi]

Yikes, have to leave this wonderful state and SG? How awful!

[MartianDestiny]

Yikes, have to leave this wonderful state and SG? How awful!

I know!!! I've got 3 years to figure it out though. (maybe Chris will give me a job, LOL)

[Kathi]

Maybe he'll expand like Divas did and open a shop in Denver. You could be his manager. :)

[whsh93a]

OK - I'm a guy whose wife uses a 650c bike and wanted some decent tires for doing a bit of cx and winter commuting. You all have found out that no one makes them. So...I converted some 700c to 650c. It's not hard but takes some patience.

Here's how to do it. Not sure if this will take multiple posts or not.

Find some not too knobby cross tires like Specialized Speedmax. Too lumpy and the tire won't clear the brake stays.

Tools and stuff needed are scissors, Dremel type rotary tool (get one at Harbor Freight sometimes for free). Hot glue and gun, Metric box nut with tangs for #3 metric stainless steel screw. Barge (or equal) rubber cement. Some fabric - I used some from a nylon grocery bag. Phillips screw driver. Model saw or maybe Xacto blade. I like the model saw because I won't likely cut myself with it. A power drill and a 7/64 drill bit. See photos 1 - 4. 17868

So - pick a tire and cut it in half. Use the Dremel to cut the wire bead - both sides - and use the scissors for the rest. See photo 5 - 7. 17869

Take a 650c rim and slide the cut tire onto it. Overlap the tire ends and slide them together ALL the way so that the bead is inside the rim. Mark the point where the inner tire end entered into the outer end. Photos 8 and 9. 17870

Remove the tire and cut the inner tire's bead again at that point (both sides, of course) with the Dremel. Trim off the bead with the scissors. Photos 10 - 12 17871

Cut off all but around two inches of the soon to be denuded bumps tire section. Trim the bumps off the inside tube (the section without the bead now) using the model saw or Xacto or whatever you want. You only need to trim the bumps from a couple of inches. You could get away without trimming anything but it makes for a better fit. Then, if you are a bit of a perfectionist, flatten out the remaining bits with the Dremel. Photos 13 - 17 17872

See next post for part two

[whsh93a]

Cut off all but around two inches of the soon to be denuded bumps tire section. Trim the bumps off the inside tube (the section without the bead now) using the model saw or Xacto or whatever you want. You only need to trim the bumps from a couple of inches. You could get away without trimming anything but it makes for a better fit. Then, if you are a bit of a perfectionist, flatten out the remaining bits with the Dremel. Photos 13 - 17 17873

Fit the two ends together so that the two sets of cut bead ends touch. Then, glue the two ends together using hot glue. Hot glue is great because it can be remelted if you make a mistake and stays flexible. I just put hot glue on the denuded tread and then reheated it with the heat gun before fitting the tire sections together again. Photos 18 - 22 17874

Put a 650c tube into the incomplete tire and fit it onto a 650c rim. It's not very neat looking, yet. Make sure the bead is inside the hooked rim and inflate the tire with about 10 lbs. pressure. If it's too loose, then take it off, reheat it and slide the two sections together more tightly. You may need to cut some bead off if you made it too loose to start. Photos 23 - 24 17875

It fits OK. Deflate it, remove the tire and tube. reinforce the seams using cut pieces of nylon cloth (or cotton or whatever) glued into the inside of the tire with the Barge cement. Cover the seems at the butt ends of the two beads and the end of the tire overlaps. Photos 25 - 26 17876

Let the glue dry for an hour or so. Use the spare time to try and remove all the glue from your fingers. Good luck with that. Then, remount the tire onto the rim and verify it fits. Inflate the tire again to maybe 15 lbs. The expanding tube will help set the glue. Let it sit for maybe 10 minutes like that.

Take off the tire, remove the tube and drill a single hole through both sections of tire using the 7/64" bit. Try not to drill your hand. Choose a point maybe 1 inch back from the cut end of the top section and in between the bigger knobs. Photos 27 - 28 17877

See Part three.

[whsh93a]

Now, the trickiest part. Take the short #3 metric screw and screw it into the hole. The screw should be just long enough that the end begins peaking out of the inside of the tire. Then, line up the box nut with the screw end and tighten the screw. You may need to do the lining up by touch - you should be able to feel when the box nuts end is on the top of the screw end. Tighten down the screw. As you do that, the sharp tangs will embed into the tire. This makes a really sturdy seam that won't separate. I then added a drop of Barge to the end of the screw to make sure it will never loosen up. Photos 29 - 30 17878

I added a strip of Mr. Tuffy to the inside of the entire tire but you don't need to do that. Insert tube, mount it onto the rim making sure the bead is seated correctly and inflate to 60 lbs. make another tire and then put them onto the bike.

My wife has used these for commuting and cx and they work great. The only little irritation is that the tires make a sound every time the seam passes over the ground. Any bump is minimal. See the rest of the photos. 17879

Hopefully I numbered the photos correctly and didn't miss anything.

Good luck. It really works.[/B]

[whsh93a]

Looks like you skipped Part 3.

Interesting project, though. I'd want to hear how well the tire holds up. I think someone could take this idea to a competent builder if they were interested.

=========================
I posted part three three times and each time I received a message that it needed to be approved by the webmaster or something. I think I saved it. I'll try again.

Here's a photo of my wife just yesterday using the tires. 178851788617887

[whsh93a]

Let's try it again...

Now, the trickiest part. Take the short #3 metric screw and screw it into the hole. The screw should be just long enough that the end begins peaking out of the inside of the tire. Then, line up the box nut with the screw end and tighten the screw. You may need to do the lining up by touch - you should be able to feel when the box nuts end is on the top of the screw end. Tighten down the screw. As you do that, the sharp tangs will embed into the tire. This makes a really sturdy seam that won't separate. I then added a drop of Barge to the end of the screw to make sure it will never loosen up. Photos 29 - 30 17888

I added a strip of Mr. Tuffy to the inside of the entire tire but you don't need to do that. Insert tube, mount it onto the rim making sure the bead is seated correctly and inflate to 60 lbs. make another tire and then put them onto the bike.

My wife has used these for commuting and cx and they work great. The only little irritation is that the tires make a sound every time the seam passes over the ground. Any bump is minimal. See the rest of the photos. 17889

Hopefully I numbered the photos correctly and didn't miss anything.

Good luck. It really works.

PS - Make sure the tire fits very tightly onto the rim. CX uses pretty low pressure. When commuting, tire pressure is higher and the bead grabs the rim more solidly.
17890

[cycling78]

Informative for me.