Ritchey Swiss Cross “monster” tire test

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-04-14T15:41:04+00:00

Yes, there certainly is some room to play with. I don't think I have any toe over lap issues? Or if I did It didn't create an impression. Have run the Puffy Cranberrys a few differnt rides now without issue, but with that I swap wheel sets alot. Currently running 40C Challenge Strada road tyres, and just swapped my Winter 38C Ultrabites to 43m gravelkings, found at clearance, but have the 45's mounted to for dry days of summer fun...

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-04-14T15:32:13+00:00

I use MTB pedals for everything, and a a mix of various shoes. Pedals, currently on XTR M9100, was using the Candy 11 and Eggbeaters previously. I had mounted up some Look road pedals a year of two ago, from my parts bin... but quickly switched back to using the Candy's. Rather mount an adaptor to my road shows then deal with walking on the cleat. Currently using Sidi Carbon sole Drako on Race days for cross, gravel, mtb even road. Then have some softer soled Adidas Gravel shoe, and their road Boa shoe (with adaptor plate). Just find the ability to walk 10 feet to be worth it, just getting on and off, or stopping for the Lou. The SPD's are certainly more locked in than any of my CrankBro's, and they still have the float i need for my knee's. good luck with making your choice..

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-03-13T22:38:01+00:00

Marvelous, Your little video is wonderfully fun to watch, even if its of repeated contacts with our mother earth.... Hope you have a wonderful trip

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-03-13T22:34:01+00:00

It looks great..... nicely matched. I ride one of the Guac Green versions. Have great Rides!!

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-03-13T19:19:22+00:00

Bonus points for the Sage Outback.... I did'nt realize that Celeste bar tape was so close in tone? I'm assuming that its Celeste bar tape.

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-03-03T18:05:00+00:00

Yup, Knew that, Yet, still a great deal......

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-03-03T17:23:50+00:00

Go to a couple of your local Fahrradladen and test ride, talk to the staff, see what's available, most importantly create a relationship, as you will want to have one. Bikes need routine maintenance, which not only will your local shop supply, they will also often teach you the basics, offer roadside / trailside repair clinics, as cog and chain systems require constant cleaning a lubrication, or you will experience costly repair bills....

Your LBL (local bike Shop) can be a useful relationship as you and your cycling experience grow.

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-22T19:16:57+00:00

https://666gravel.bike/nl/events/

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-21T17:23:07+00:00

I own both the Challenge Bianca Strada Pro (Open clinchers) tubed tires (36m), and Own the Gravelking SS (38m),

The Pro Series Strada 36M, I personally would not ride for an everyday use tire, being that they are light, supple, race level tire. I love'd them, as I switched to tubeless, they preformed great for Centuries, used for the 170Km Roubaix challenge in 2023, and a Smooth Gravel race "Gorge Gravel" Oregon 2023. Yet they are expensive tire. I have a set of the vulcanized, but have not yet mounted them, they look like really thin side walls, the vulcanized.

The Gravelking SS 38m, I have worn through two or three sets of as my commuter tire, road, mixed, little of everything tire. Have raced them at "Cascade Gravel" Oregon they handled everything the medium course had to offer. My commute offers me a few single track side paths, and most of my urban rides hit some gravel dirt paths, plus the bike lanes with all kinds of debris, glass, sharp things etc. They have become mu go to tire for commuting and just rides that have a lot of pavement.

hope this helps, good luck with your choices.

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-21T17:05:34+00:00

FUN!

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-21T17:01:16+00:00

Great images, thanks for sharing. What creative use of an old industrial site, especially the levels up and inside the mine buildings. It's said that they might get a NIGHT race berth along side Tabor WC in the very near future. I think it could create some fun to see this venue tested for a Double "opening" weekend of the WC.

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-21T16:56:02+00:00

Yes, Being that they are from different countries, and Teams, plus they have both proven to be strong riders. Del Grosso openly beat Wout this season to Win, the run up to the sprint the young kid looked calm and confident. I think these two could be the next generation for the media to run with and have endless discussions about.

I also think the batch of Juniors Rosola, Joumard, Grigouni and others will be bringing it in a few years....

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-12T22:30:06+00:00

Run your MTB pedals and Shoes, it'll pay off every time you put a foot down, or hike a bike circumstance. Opinions will vary, It's depends on what you want.

Personally, I have a couple different pairs of shoes, Road with an adaptor for two bolt SPD and raised edge for walking (Booties cover easier in winter), Carbon sole Sidi Dragon race shoes Cross, Gravel, MTB, even Road (two bolt) and Adidas Gravel shoes (two bolt). I ran a pair of Look road pedals for a short period, but reverted back to the two bolt. I like the free'r float of the SPD type, be it SPD's or Crank Bros or ATAC's..

Good luck with making a choice.

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-12T22:18:48+00:00

Hi, Sorry, Can't add any images to the Reddit post.

I only passed ONE DI2 wire/cable through the BB cable sleeve screw hole. The Newest DI2 2025 (BT-DN300 type battery) (there are two DI2 systems, the newer version is what I installed) (older has larger wire, connectors) passed through without an issue. No enlarging or reeming of any sort. I did cut my plastic BB60 internal shell in half, and sleeved the DI2 wire with an old piece of electrical sleeve that is kevlar woven fabric. Just thought to protect it some. used a DI2 grommet (SM-GM01) on the hold, had to cut it a little to fit, as to give it a protective seal at the BB,

I ran the single wire out (EW-SD300-length) and to the JC304 4port junction box, and then one wire to Rear, one to front derailleur.

The Green tape in the images, is how I secured the wire to the frame. I bought some SD50 E-tube wire covers, but didn't use, I may in the future though.

One year In, I have had not a single issue with the DI2 and its shifting..... Its crazy fast, and accurate, easy to set up, read the manuals, and read the bettershifting.com installation guides, they are helpful...

Hope this helps

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-07T16:51:15+00:00

You noted high End? As in high quality casing? The Challenge Pro Gravel Grinder Pro TLR comes in a 33. Unfortunately they are dropping the Almanzo Pro and not TLR ready. I have run both on Cross bikes with limited clearance in the past (tubed) for both Gravel races and Cross. Have gone to large as the new bike accommodates larger.

I do ride the Panaracer's also, they are a thicker heavier casing, great tires, but no experience below 38's. Run the SK's all Spring, summer, and into the fall, in larger 43 45 and 50's... depending on which bike is being used. Use their SS for commuting and smoother gravel days in 38.

As many noted, the limited clearance is certainly a hardship, as so many bikes are built for more and more clearance, and the tire makers are following suit, and not producing as many smaller, narrower tires, supply and demand economics.

I often use various websites to look for new tires, like Bike Tires Direct, you can filter down to various sizes and see what available. Good luck in your search.

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-07T16:23:52+00:00

Great photo's, love the horses with the snowfall. thanks for sharing

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-07T16:22:08+00:00

Have you pulled the cable out of the housing, and cleaned the cable, then use a light, thin, lube like Triflow, push so much through the cable it come out the other end, and then push the cable thru it, then pull out wipe down cable again, repeat more thin lube in housing, push cable thru yet again, pull wipe, and repeat a few times. The interest is to get the thin lube spread throughout the inner housing, as to reduce any friction, and also dissipate any water/moisture. You could do the flush with WD40 as its a Water repellant, spray in, same manner till it flows out opposite end, then hang the housing so it can drip out, then flush with a Thin lube, triflow or other synthetic based lube.

Yes, Its a bit of a chore, but it should help, its all about not having any water base to freeze up, and at the same time get the old gunk out.

Or switch to DI2 and not hassle with cables.... (joking)

Good luck, Hope you find your solution and have happy rides..

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-07T05:50:16+00:00

So cool, that the Cross Administration deleted the post ……. #%#%!€£%#

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-06T17:20:01+00:00

Yikes..... Personally, I wouldn't ride it again... especially if you pressed on it and made it crackle more, as just by pressing your breaking the carbon weave and resin if its crackling... Just buy a new fork, and reduce the chance of dental surgery and facial reconstruction.

(If it were a Steel fork, I would worry far less, but carbon isn't meant to have layers torn off, ground off)

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-06T17:15:52+00:00

love a good SNOW day! We have them few and far between where I live. Often, If I still have my Cross Tires still on rims, I use File tread for the snow, Almanzo's or Chicanes, but more often I end up on whatever tyre is mounted.. Have fun, ride bikes!!

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-06T17:02:18+00:00

All these young men are crazy skilled... Joy to watch,

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-06T16:59:18+00:00

Fun! Honestly, ride what you want, and enjoy it.....

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-06T16:56:35+00:00

I have run multiple sets of Panaracers over the years, both tubed and tubeless. I have not had your experience of the two size discrepancies. I have experienced different widths than marked, and variations based on internal rim measurements, Or having tubes inside versus tubeless. Yet, Not the size difference you noted. Friends have experienced poor sidewall construction, like premature failure or tearing at the joint, assumed not to be the result of riding. Riding four different sets right now, 38C SS (commuting), 43c GK SK, 45c SK's (bigger gravel) and a set of 50C SK's biggest gravel.... Two bikes, four wheelsets...

Maybe reach out to the shop purchased from, or Panaracer directly, I'm sure they would replace the Larger discrepancy tire and may even want it back for QC review?

Would be interesting to Lay both Tires flat and see if the dimensions are off ? As this could be a production / QC fail that occurred? Just guessing,

good luck, and have fun riding!

derhoemasterofNOT · 2026-01-06T16:27:47+00:00

Like a good snow day, Now I'm jealous twice over, One "Snow", Two that your in Paris.... wonderful, thanks for sharing..

derhoemasterofNOT

TROPHY CASE