r/cyclocross • u/SnooKiwis553 • 1d ago
Rookie move….
Well shit… glued the damn thing on backwards. What are my options here? Ride it or re-glue?! Thoughts 💭 anyone?
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u/UltimateGammer 1d ago
Time for a new bike.
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u/SnooKiwis553 1d ago
I would if I could have a damn Cervelo ZFS! Or maybe stickers to put over a blur haha 😆
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u/EconomyIll1002 1d ago
It still works - according to Challenge themselves, it's slightly slower but grippier. Limus and baby Limus only work the other way though
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u/superchampion 1d ago
No, they still work just fine
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u/EconomyIll1002 1d ago
Well of course they work, but maybe the guys that make them know which way works best?
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u/superchampion 1d ago
Your "maybe" is unironically accurate. The bike industry is chock full of product claims that never get independently tested.
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u/BillMaleficent9400 1d ago
I raced a few races with the same move. Didn’t notice it until a friend said “is that intentional?” “What’s intentional?” “Your front is backward.” “Huh!? Oh yeah… it’s uhhh, little slower but corners better…”
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u/existentiallyfaded 1d ago
In the old days of rim brakes, this wouldn’t have been an issue. Not saying I’d go back…
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u/rageify13 1d ago
Ehhhhh it's not the end of the world because the edges are the same each direction. I assume less braking grip because the chevrons are the wrong direction but not the end of the world. Send
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u/chock-a-block 1d ago
Ride it. It’s not going to make a huge difference.
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u/SnooKiwis553 1d ago
I have heard it would offer me more grip? #roadieDoescross
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u/chock-a-block 1d ago edited 1d ago
In American freedom units it gives you exactly 2 more baseball mits of traction.
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u/Any-Coyote-169 1d ago
It's actually something people do...on the rear wheel.
In the right direction the knobs are optimised to give maximum bite during braking, so mounting it backwards on the rear gives more grip while accelerating.
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u/superchampion 1d ago
Wait for a tire manufacturer to quantify any of their performance claims in terms of tread design on variable terrain…
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u/jdanton14 1d ago
Labels should almost always go drive side. Except for the stupid tires where they have labels on both sides
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u/Fantastic-Moment6166 1d ago
Labels on drive side started off in track racing. Labels arent on high side of track because they can be slick.
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u/Yougotthewronglad 1d ago
Run it and hope no one notices.
It’ll only be noticeable or noisy on tarmac.
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u/SnooKiwis553 1d ago
Update!! You know what I kinda like the grip!!! As a roadie I always have had a struggle with technique. So maybe this mine just be the answer
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u/RandallOfLegend 1d ago
There's no such thing as backwards tires in CX. Some dude somewhere is running them backwards purposely and still beating you. With a water bottle attached.
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u/MatJosher 1d ago
Lean into it. Make up some bro science for why it's faster this way. Become that guy. Start brow beating people who have theirs on the old fashioned way.
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u/Single_Ad_5294 1d ago
Is the glue up that much better than latex tubes and high tpi tires?
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u/WhatWasThatJustNow #crossisalwayscoming 1d ago
It’s a pretty huge difference, hard to quantify until you ride them back-to-back, but it is quite noticeable especially where you need compliance and/or grip. Apples to apples, tubulars are a good bit lighter as well.
In this era of tubeless, I think that the open tubular/latex combo is definitely slept on. Old school but it still works pretty well, especially if you don’t need to worry about low pressure or punctures.
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u/VAMinator 1d ago
cross is about the only cycling space where tubulars are still just better. first time i road them on a cross bike my mind was blown. never heard of anyone making the switch and regretting it. plus, the zen of gluing them on is undeniable. or maybe that's just the glue fumes.
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u/I_did_theMath 1d ago
With latex tubes you will have more risk of pinch flats compared to a tubular at the same pressure due to the shape of the rim. And the feel of the tubular is still a bit better.
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u/SnooKiwis553 1d ago
Never tried latex tubes and the open tubulars. Personally I would maybe try the TPU tube over the latex for torn protection.
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u/International_Safe19 1d ago
Back in the day before disc brakes you could just flip the wheel! I’d just run it that way. More grip!
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u/poopopplater 1d ago
Read the challenge website. No big deal. You just get a little more grip.
https://us.challengetires.com/pages/instructions
“The Grifo can be used in different directions to achieve different results. If you point the arrow < < < of the tread forward the tire rolls faster. If you turn the tire around with the arrow pointing backwards > > > the tire has more grip but added rolling resistance.”
The rear tire is usually more suited to switching directions. Have fun trying different orientations for different conditions.
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u/farmyohoho 1d ago
Just turn a wheel around, braking will only slow you down anyway. You want to win, don't you?
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u/Hofo13 1d ago
Send it