I am about to leave my bikeshop due to excessive school work, but before I do, I'm going to make some tire purchases for my cross bike. I have 4 wheelsets that I plan to use for racing:
'99 404 tubs
'03 303 tubs
'03 ksyrium sl tubs
race clincher to be determined later

The 404s I care least about so I would use those under bad course conditions. The 303s I would like to use as my primary race wheels. The clincher I would like to use when a certain tread is necessary. I already own Michelin Jets 30c, and Ritchey Excavader 32c...what else should I get? And the ksyriums, I honestly dont know what to use it for (need suggestions).

So from these criteria, what would be the best tire for each wheelset? I know dugast would probably be the first tire to be suggested, but I dont think I can order those through the shop. Thanks everyone.

PS. I will be racing in South Texas, so snow isn't going to be an issue.

I would probably pick up a few pairs of Tufo Flexus. I haven't ridden them, but they are supposedly almost as supple as dugasts, and I believe the QBP wholesale on them is about half of what you can get Dugasts in the states for. I would also try to track down some Challenge griffos. For the crap wheels, Tufo elites are a pretty good choice.

i like how your "junk" wheels are Zipp 404's.

very nice

_________________
PlusOneLap.com: Everything Cyclocross

So Tufo Flexus or Challenge Grifo are your suggestions for the 303s. What size would be best suited for an overall tire? 32?

For the 404s (my junk wheels, haha), would the Tufo Elites be a good tire to run in dirt/sloppy conditions? And is 30mm the right choice for muddier races?

Any thoughts on the other wheelsets?

Sorry for all the questions. There is just so much to consider for cross racing vs other disciplines. I appreciate all the info.

Check out the Vittoria collection too. I have only ridden Tufo's (both tubular and tubular/clincher) but the Vittorias are being ridden by some of the big wigs in Europe and certainly have some pedigree.

I have some Vittoria Tigre Cross, and they are a little more supple than the Tufo elites I have. The pattern is OK.

I have used Tufo Elites for hardpack, sand etc, and they performed pretty well.

i have never tried the vittoria tubs myself but looked at them and talked to riders who have them and also have dugast tubs. the main problem with vittorias is that they are rather small. i like 32 mm tubs the best, because they can be ridden with less pressure for more traction than e.g. 30 mm tubs. the only rider i know that rides them because he has to is francis mourey(vittoria is their team sponsor), but in several races he had dugasts as well.
i don't think they're the way to go if you have the possibility to get tufos or even dugasts.

If you don't know what to use the ksyriums for I would suggest you try on a pair of the vittoria or tufo tubulars with the diamont thread. I think they are originally made for snow and ice, but they work very nicely on all hard surfaces and could be good on courses with a lot of asphalt. If only for the last round with pumped up tires for a sprint.

I ride the Tufo prestige tubs (for training) and I think they work pretty good. They aren't as nice or as subtle as fi. Dugast or Gommitalia but don't wear down as quick either. I have seen and felt the new Tufo Flexus and must say I was very impressive with how they felt just in your hands. I haven't had a chance to ride them, but if you can get those with a discount at your shop I would definetly buy some for your nicer racing wheels.

I would suggest you send the ksyrium to me

That's a great suggestion. I had not considered diamond tread at all. We have a cx race that we hold each here on campus that consists of plenty of concrete. It would be ideal for races such as that.

I think I have a good idea of which tires to purchase now. This is going to be expensive, haha. Thank you so much for the help everyone.

404s = Tufo Elite 30
303s = Tufo Flexus 32
ksyrium = Vittoria XN diamond 30 (cheaper than tufos)
clinchers = michelin mud to go with my others

By the way Simon, did you know your bike is featured by wikipedia?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclo-cross_bicycle

brother, what in the heck do you need all those wheels for?? that's insane. do you flat a lot or something?

Actually, For cylocross that isn't very many wheels. Check the threads. Pros have about 4 back-ups bikes and 20-30 wheelsets for different course conditions.

4 wheels isn't much. For the gear-centric (including myself) it's easy to end up with over half a dozen...easy...heck, once you have a spare bike it just snowballs from there..

Glad to see you again Aardvark! How is the recovery going (not to hijack this thread) To get back on topic, how do you feel about the tire selection so far?