Donnelly tires were formerly branded as Clement Tires, but a name change was required. The tires are exactly the same, and once all Clement labelled tires are sold through, the same models will be listed only under the Donnelly brand.

So, your cyclocross season generally mud, mud, and more mud. Sure, there is sand, some pavement and rocky, rooty jumble on the course as well, but powering through the mud is crucial to any chance of a strong finish, let alone a finish at all. The Donnelly PDX design has been hailed by tubular riding cross racers for their success in the muck of the Pacific Northwest once the rain begins to fall, and has bee applied all over the country is such conditions. But perhaps tubular use isn't your game? You have been struggling to get the standard clincher to deliver, but you need lower pressures, a wider true contact patch, and no chance of pinch flats. Buck up, because Donnelly developed a tubeless ready technology that brings you the Crusade PDX Tubeless Cyclocross Tire.

You get the same narrow, tall and wide open tread spacing with a near constant center pattern which has proven itself in the mudholes of cyclocross lore with a tubeless ready design that brings a reinforced, yet supple sidewall that can handle the lower pressures without fear of destruction, and best of all- no pinch flats. Donnelly rates the PDX Tubeless for a 35-60 psi range, and while we doubt anyone will push the upper range, we know many will fully explore lower numbers. Just so you know what the rated range is, we'll repeat, 35-60. The tread rubber itself is a Shore 70A durometer, which is firm enough to reduce rolling resistance, but soft enough to flex and give, as a lower pressure system needs to. The knobs carve into the surface and pull through, delivering the traction and power you need but without retaining the thick, mud that packs in and reduces capability. When the tire penetrates and rips through the PDX does, you will fully appreciate the results. Just keep in mind that narrower knobs are less stiff and a great mud tire rarely reacts well on hardpack, especially in corners. The design can and will hold in loose ice and snow, with grass traction decent until it fully packs down.

The 700x33mm size meets base UCI regulations for a 150lb rider, but keep in mind that rim width can lead to a drastic difference in measured size. If you are entering UCI races, you need to know the standard used based on your weight and your equipment and take the time to measure out, but in most US events short of nationals it won't be a concern. Mounted on a NoTubes Crest EX with a 21mm internal width rim, at 45psi the PDX Tubeless measured out at 34.4mm. On a HED Ardennes FR rim with a 17.8mm internal width, also at 45psi, the micrometer said 33.3mm. Granted, all specs can vary with manufacturing variance, use, etc., you just need to take the time to check your actual rim and tire. That variation goes for weight as well. Donnelly knows there is production variation, just as everyone who has ever weighed their tires is aware. A +/- 8% variance may seem like a substantial amount, but is pretty much standard across the industry. The listed weight is 480 grams, and the actual tire tested was 386.

Tubeless tire capability is approaching that of tubulars, perhaps less overall flexibility but greater durability. The convenience of quickly and affordably changing out a tubeless tire can't be disregarded and the citizen masses of riders who aren't elite or well-heeled racers have embraced tubeless, especially those who have experience from the mountain bike side of the trail. The Crusade PDX was proven as a tubular in the mud cauldron of Portland cyclocross, and the Crusade PDX Tubeless Cyclocross Tire lives up to the expectations and performance tubular riders have been privileged to exploit the last few years.