In spite of all of the advancements in tubeless cyclocross technology, it’s probably not surprising to find that most pros still run tubulars. Considering they have their own mechanic to work their mastik magic and access to enough wheelsets to make changing tires a matter of choosing a different wheel, tubulars aren’t going anywhere in the near future.
That made us wonder – what tubular would a Maxxis sponsored team be using? As it turns out, most of their riders were on blacked out tubulars from other companies. But from the looks of things, Maxxis will have their own tubular options for their racers very soon…
Hiding in plain sight in the Maxxis Shimano team tent, this prototype was built with the Raze tread pattern on a tubular casing. Maxxis confirmed that the team was indeed in the testing process and were riding Maxxis prototypes earlier in the week.
The tires bore the tell tale prototype hot patch, along with tubular and 28″ x 33mm markings.
Whether it was due to the muddier conditions on Sunday, or simply the team not wanting to run new to them tires on race day, Team Maxxis Shimano were still running other tubulars on course. Riding on their new (as in 2 or 3 days) Parlee frames, Team riders Yannick Eckmann rode his way to a top 10 finish, while Danny Summerhill finished in 17th.
maxxis.com
I don’t always run tubulars, but when I do, I mount them on clincher rims (ultegra 6800 wheelset pictured is only available as a clincher)
Yes, it was simply the only rim they had as a display.
Those look like fast-ish all rounders. Some low low knobs though. Anyone have experience with similar tread patterns?
In my experience, you’ll like the Raze if you like unpredictable breakaway in corners and immediate skidding when you grab almost any amount of brake… these tires, in clincher, are terrible. They might be a bit better in tubular, but low pressure can only do so much when the tread pattern is bad.
Early dismount eh?
That was between the two barriers. On the first lap these guys were FLYING over them. So fast.
Ahhh that makes much more sense!
COMMANTERRS KNOWIGNK ITALL!!!!!!!!!!
The clinchers were the first CX tires I rode 6 years ago. They were fast (enough) and the tread had enough grip to make them decent. Unless the rubber/casing is really nice I see no reason to ride these over other existing tubulars (unless you’re sponsored, of course).
I only scrolled down this far to say Ultegra wheels are tubeless clinchers only, but I was beaten.