|   True size of Mutano Raptors? Other tires of <=45mm width? | SJT
Jun 11, 2003 10:05 AM | | I had a cross bike built with the intention of running larger cross tires with plenty of mud clearance and possibly 29"er tires. Well I have about 45mm of room to work with in the rear. I don't mind trimming the side knobs a bit to get a fat tire back there, but I don't seem to find many 45mm tires. The Mutano Raptors claim to be 44/44, but is that true? I thought I remember hearing they actually measure larger. Do you guys know of any tires I should look at that might fit the space I have? If not, then I'll just have to stick to some of the wider cross tires. No biggie, just looking for more meat for technical trail riding. Thanks in advance.
-Steve |
| No one knows? | SJT
Jun 12, 2003 2:42 AM | | I was sure someone knew the actual width of the 29"er Mutano Raptor 44/44. Anyone?
-Steve |
| I measured it as slightly smaller than claimed.. | fû
Jun 12, 2003 4:56 AM | | 42mm tread width on Sun ME14A rims, but this was with some pretty crude calipers. They're plenty tall though, it was hitting my chainstay brace before I could even gauge clearance to the sides when I tried placing it in the back of my rig, but unfortunately I didn't measure the height.. I can do that tonight though.
Another wide tire is the Ritchey ZED - possibly discontinued? Then there's the definitely discontinued Panaracer Smoke 700Cx45 which appears on ebay occasionally.
Here's an informative thread on wide cross tires. |
| I measured it as slightly smaller than claimed.. | SJT
Jun 12, 2003 5:37 AM | | fu,
Your post was a great help and your link to that old discussion was very informative. After reading those posts, it seems like with a little trial and error I should be able to run most of the larger cross tires out there with no problems. I just need to find a tread pattern that I like and order some through my LBS. I'm pretty sure he'd order them for me knowing that if they don't fit I wouldn't want to keep them. Thanks again and here's a pic of the bike in question...
-Steve |
| Smoke, Mutano, ZED, Mount Cross, possibly Fast Fred | GlowBoy
Jun 12, 2003 9:36 AM | | Those are about the only knobby-ish tires I know of in the 38mm-45mm range. Panaracer Smoke 700x45 has been discontinued but can still be found here and there - excellent mud performance but the rolling resistance is enough to make you feel like you're on a 26"er.
Haven't tried the Mutano but it's next on my list to check out. Rumor has it they stink in wet conditions, but work great in the dry and roll forever.
Ritchey ZED 700x42 is available at webcyclery.com and possibly cambria. Sounds like a decent compromise between RR and grip.
I have a couple of Ritchey Mount Cross 700x38s, and they're big and light for a 700x38 - basically they measure nearly as big as the Smoke, roll quite fast, have decent grip in a variety of conditions, and weigh just 450g. I'm going to use mine up front for adventure biking this summer until I get around to picking up a Mutano.
I think Schwalbe makes the Fast Fred in a 700x40, but Schwalbes run narrow and it's more of a semislick anyway.
Hope this helps. - Dan |
| Smoke, Mutano, ZED, Mount Cross, possibly Fast Fred | SJT
Jun 12, 2003 10:36 AM | | Dan,
Thanks for the head's up on all of those tires. I'll definitely be spending some time this weekend perusing the web looking for them. Thanks again!
-Steve |
| Measurements off of my bike and another tire suggestion | Tony Montana
Jun 12, 2003 12:22 PM | | Hello Steve,
I measured the Mutanos on my bike which are mounted on Velocity Dyad rims. One was right on at 44mm, and the other was 43.5mm. These are by far the best big cross tires for technical riding that I have tried. They are also great on road and hardpack trails. Due to the raised center rib they roll very smoothly, quietly, and with ease. Before the Mutanos were available I was running the IRC Mythos CX tires. For a butch tire they are pretty decent, and they are available in several widths (from 35 to 42 I believe), which may help in fitting them into your frame. Good luck! |
| Measurements off of my bike and another tire suggestion | SJT
Jun 12, 2003 6:23 PM | | Tony,
Thanks for the measurements. I think the frame can handle the Mutanos going by your info. I won't have tons of room, but for riding dry trails it should be fine. I also have Velocity rims, but I have the Aeroheads which may be slightly narrower than the Dyads which are more of a heavier duy rim. I have a set of Michelin Muds that are coming tomorrow that I will test out this weekend (real muddy here lately) and maybe in a couple of weeks when I save up a few bucks I'll pick up a pair of the Mutanos to test out. They really look like great tires for trail riding when it's not muddy...the Michelins should be good for that though. Thanks again.
-Steve |
| Measurements off of my bike and another tire suggestion | Tony Montana
Jun 13, 2003 7:39 AM | | The narrower rim will surely help give a tiny bit of extra clearance. I believe the Dyads are 24mm wide, which is quite big for a 700c rim.
I know I said this already but the Mutanos are a really good tire. The best for technical cross riding, IMHO. It'd be well worth your money to try them out. |
| Here's one more ... | GlowBoy
Jun 13, 2003 7:10 AM | | The Maxxis website lists a WormDrive CX, 700x42c. Looks like more of a semislick than a knobby. |
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