The 6 Best Crossrad

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A cross bike is a bike that has been specially developed for the requirements of a cross country race. They are similar to those used in road racing. The main differences between the two variants are the frame geometry and the wide wheels, which are better suited for riding on muddy and muddy surfaces.

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The frame materials are selected with the aim of creating a light yet stiff and responsive frame. Low weight is also an advantage for easier driving. A cross-country racer must lift his/her bike up to 30 times in a 60 minute race, which makes him want a light bike. Aluminium frames were popular with cross country bikes long before they became so common on the road. Today, on a professional level, the most popular material is aluminum, which is reinforced with carbon fiber, and steel and titanium favorites among riders looking for a quieter ride and a longer lasting frame. Cross-country frames require space for slightly wider (usually 30 to 34 mm) tyres and the debris and mud they absorb. They are usually very simple, often bridges in the rear are avoided. Compact frames with inclined upper tubes are less common than road bikes due to the need to carry the bike lightly on the shoulder. There are also devices to combat the deposition of sludge. Some specialists cross bikes also have a higher bottom bracket game to support over uneven ground. Typically, the frame geometry is more relaxed than that of a road bike, the seat tube is not so upright, which provides more stability in soft terrain.

The choice of tyres is very important in the cross area. Tubular tyres are still very popular; even more so than in road racing. This is partly due to their ability to be usable at low pressure (22-40psi / 1.5-2.75bar) without increasing the likelihood of plates being usable. Low pressure is desirable as it increases contact patch, which is important on soft surfaces. This increases the risk of the rim hitting the ground. And this is a problem with clincher tires: the tube can be trapped by the edge and cause a plate. With tubular tyres, this is not a problem as they cannot clamp flat. The only concern is damage to the rim. Tubular tyres also offer weight savings and the possibility to be used even when empty, so a racer can get a replacement from the box.

Clinchers also have their advantages. The tyre change is much faster as it does not involve a lengthy gluing and hardening process, so a driver has a wide choice of tyres available. Until recently, clinchers had also usually had more profile patterns than the traditional hoses. Some enthusiasts even went so far as to send Michelin Mud tyres (a popular clincher) to Dugast (a manufacturer of high-end tubular tyres) to have a modern tread pattern built into a traditional tyre. Since 2005, however, several tyre manufacturers have developed more modern tread patterns, namely Dugast with Rhino, Tufo with its Flexus and Challenge with its Grifo and Fango. After all, clincher tires usually cost less than tubular tires.

Since the cross-country season spans autumn and winter, the course conditions can vary quite drastically. Often racing drivers have at least to choose between dry and rain tyres. Dry tyres are usually much smaller and have closely spaced treads like diamond patterns for low rolling resistance. Rain tyres have a larger and wider tread pattern to assist with mud release. Tyres usually do not vary in width, due to the theory that a narrower tyre has the lowest rolling resistance (for dry courses) and that it also comes through the mud to the harder ground (for wet / muddy courses). Although widths below 30c were popular in the past, current tires are usually available from 30-35c which are most common with 32 and 34. Since soil conditions can vary greatly, the choice of equipment is extremely important. Added to this is the fact that the races are relatively short. At the professional level, it is important to have several bikes and bike options available. Recently, tubeless clincher tires have become particularly popular. Advantages are the lower total weight of the wheels (no inner tube) and lower pressures. It should be noted that not all wire rim designs allow tubeless tires as an airtight contact surface is required to prevent accidental tire pressure loss.

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