CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto has always prided itself on taking a fresh and innovative approach to cycling, embracing partnerships with brands that share the same forward-thinking mindset. 

It is often through equipment choices where this pioneering spirit especially comes to life. The team was an early adopter of tubeless technology over tubular and clincher tyres on the road in 2019 – a transition made possible by two outstanding partners in Zipp and Schwalbe.

Fast forward to 2025 and on February 1st, Zoe Bäckstedt successfully defended her U23 Cyclo-cross World title, making history as the first ever rider to win a UCI Cyclo-cross World Championship using a tubeless setup. That is, unless you count her victory two days earlier in the Mixed Relay with Team Great Britain!

This breakthrough against the long-standing dominance of tubular tyres in cyclo-cross was made possible by Zipp’s hookless rim technology and Schwalbe’s tubeless-compatible tyres. Schwalbe Product Manager Oscar Fronhoof explains the brand’s journey in tire innovation:

“Schwalbe has been a pioneer in tubeless technology from the very beginning. Our tubeless road bike tyres have been on the market since 2012. Not only that, we started testing our first cyclo-cross tubeless tyres in 2012 and introduced later versions to the market in 2015. In 2016, we launched the first widely adopted cyclo-cross tubeless tire, the X-ONE Allround .”

Since then, Schwalbe has continuously advanced its cyclo-cross range which now includes three high-performance race tyres – the X ONE R Pro, RS Pro and RX Pro. This varied selection is used by Zoe and CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto, but the industry progression won’t just be stopping here. CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto head mechanic Jochen Lamade explains:

“Tubeless tyres are the future, also in cyclocross, I believe. I know that many tyre companies are now making their first steps into tubeless, and I think that there will be a lot of development with more quality products for racing available within the next couple of years. As a result, I believe the amount of tubular tyres being used will get smaller year by year.”

Historically, tubular tyres have been the top choice in cyclo-cross due to their ability to be run at very low pressures without pinch-flat risks, improving traction, control, and comfort on rough terrain. But as the sport evolves, Lamade believes the benefits of tubeless are too significant for cyclo-cross traditionalists to ignore. 

“Beyond much easier mounting and maintenance, the biggest advantage is that the amount of wheels required for all different terrains and conditions will be minimised. Before a race, the tyres can be switched quite fast if the conditions are changing, and different tyres are needed on a set of wheels. Whether the course is super fast or deep in mud, you can quickly choose the optimal wheel and tire combination for every scenario, without waiting hours for glued tyres to dry.”

“Tubeless technology also offers self-repairing properties when paired with a tubeless sealant. We use Schwalbe Doc Blue. With a very low rolling resistance among many other preparation and performance advantages, it’s hard to imagine going back.”

In addition to using Schwalbe’s established race tyres, Zoe has been involved with the field-testing of the newer X One RX Pro product this season. She shares her thoughts on the transition to tubeless.

“One of the biggest reasons I switched from tubular to tubeless with hookless rims was the improved safety and reduced risk on rocky courses, and the overall performance of the Zipp wheel – Schwalbe tire combination.”

“I already started using hookless last cyclo-cross season (2023-2024) and did more testing over the 2024 autumn-to-winter training period. The wheels feel stiffer, and on average, I can run a pressure between 0.1-0.3 bar lower. On muddier courses, I can go even lower and not have concerns about riding over rocks and getting a puncture. The tyres are much stronger on the sidewalls, and the lower pressure means I have a better grip. It’s fantastic and is the perfect setup for the type of rider I am.”

Lamade acknowledges Schwalbe’s key role in making the switch to tubeless possible and highlights the extensive testing involved in the transition.

“We tested the classic tubular, the standard tubeless, and the newly developed Schwalbe tyres in different weather circumstances. There was no performance difference in many instances, and in some situations, it was even better with the new tubeless tire and hookless system.”

Looking ahead, he emphasises the importance of continued refinement.

“We will continue to work with Schwalbe to improve the tyre. The rim and tyre combination has to work perfectly without any pressure loss as the right pressure is one of the key points for success in cyclo-cross.”

As a team committed to testing and enhancing new equipment with our partners, we are proud to be at the forefront of tubeless technology in cyclo-cross – just as we were on the road years ago. 

What will come next?

Facebook

Twitter