Mark Adams The Cross XL tyre combines the best of Road and Mountain bike tyre technology. With cotton casings found in road tyres and elaborate tread profiles found on mountain bikes. This tyre is impact and puncture resistant, even at the lowest air pressures.
This tyre is suited to dry and loose terrain but will also perform to an admirable level on hard and in muddy conditions.
Features:
- Casing: 320TPI
- Condition: Dry/Loose
- Type: Clincher
- Weight: 380g (700x31c)
Vittoria Cross Xl Pro Tyre Review:
If there’s one thing that’s become clear after 2 years of using the Vittoria Cross XT Tyre, it’s that there’s very little that’s actually bad about this tyre. I’m blown away by them. I tested the less agressive Cross Xl tire to the more agressive Cross Xl Pro line tire. This review is on the Cross XL. The most noticeable thing about this tyre is the tread. On both the front and the back there are huge tread blocks, with small centre tread that locks you onto the ground. The blocks seem to center the tyre which is ideal for cornering at speed. The cornering ability is also fantastic due to the low pressure rating and incredible grip from its cotton casing. This is a low pressure tyre. It’s not for racing on really soft trails but the grip is such that you can take on a variety of terrains. I wouldn’t recommend this tyre for riding in the mud.
In terms of grip level the tyres are on par with the Kenda Small Block Eight. The tread isn’t so deep and doesn’t have as much biting power but both are miles above that of a WTB Nano. The knob height on the Cross Xl Pro is quite high. I’m unsure how this would perform on a smooth and hard surface with a very steep gradient but it was surely adequate for my uses. You maintain a lot of speed with the tyre. It’s so quick! You also remain in control of the bike in the corners. It makes you feel so much faster and the cornering is controlled and confident. It feels like you can’t go wrong cornering with this tyre.
The only thing that lets the tyre down is just how light it is. It’s a tyre that needs a fair bit of air to work. I’ve tried it out at 35psi and at 90psi and at 90psi you can start seeing the sidewalls collapse when riding off road. At 35psi however there’s nothing to be seen and it’s a great overall riding experience. The performance is outstanding and at 90psi, I’d recommend a minimum of 200g for the front tyre and an extra 10-20g for the rear. If you take a look at the Kenda Small Block Eight for example, it needs a similar amount of tyre volume for this tyre to work. You really notice the difference when you put 35psi in the tyre. I can deal with it at 35psi but I really wouldn’t recommend you doing that.
The tyre comes with some of the most impressive side tread that I’ve tried out. It has more bite than the Kenda Small Block Eight but it’s much more sticky than the Kenda Small Block Eight. This is a more balanced tyre than the Kore, which I still think is great.
Longevity is the last thing I cover and I’ve gone through 2 sets of those tyres so far. The tyres have not punctured and the casing is in great shape. I’d recommend changing the tyres fairly early though due to the light weight and amount of use. The only test that the tyre has failed is it’s ability to grip on the road. I tested it on asphalt for half a lap and while the tyre grips to the ground, you notice a huge amount of road noise. I guess it’s the cotton casing but just make sure you’re using this tyre for trails and off road cycling.
I give the tyre a 9 out of 10. It’s a top quality product that performs incredibly well but be sure to use it at the correct pressure and fill it with at least 300g.
Vittoria Cross Xl Pro Tyre Review:
For a lighter tyre, the Cross Xl Pro needs a lot of pressure to inspire confidence.
Being a Mountain bike tyre, it has a decent amount of traction and works well on a variety of terrains.
The tyre comes with a lot of blocky tread for maximum grip. It will grip well on just about any surface with a decent amount of pressure.
The grip for the tyre is instant, it grips to the ground even at the lower pressures of 35psi. It’s a very technical tyre that will work with both dry and loose terrain, as well as hard and muddy terrain but I would not use this on smooth hard ground as I believe it needs a bit of tread on the tyre to inspire confidence on that terrain.
I feel there is a need for some more knobs with this tyre for it to become a great Mountain bike tyre. The tyre does maintain enough bite to inspire confidence but I wouldn’t reckon it can be raced with. It’s a great bike tyre for the Cross Country terrain though. I prefer the Cross Xl to this tyre though, mainly due to the robust side knobs but they do lose traction a little faster. I like the side knobs of the Cross Xl more than the Cross Xl Pro.
This is a very good tyre with a high volume rating that can be used as a bike tyre mostly. Use it with at least 350g for the front and 100g for the rear. The tyre has no punctures or problems with the casing of the tyre.
These tyres have a high volume rating and are suited to off roading so use them with over 300g in volume.
I used the heaviest combo that Vittoria has suggested and filled the casing with 480g in the front and 230g in the rear. At this capacity, these tyres run fantastic.
They are low pressure tyres but they will grip and work with very low pressures too.
You need a fair bit of air for them to work well on the road though. I’d recommend them for rough off road terrain that won’t be smooth with especially in wet terrains.
The tyres are light and use a very thin thread for the casing but the casing holds up well. There are no punctures to be seen so far and the casing is still in great shape.
