thin tyre poor steering
 

On my new muni (Koxx frame + 26" Alex D32 rim) I have mounted a light
(850 g) WTB Timberwolf 2.7 foldable tyre. When riding it on low pressure
it is very heavy to make turns. When inflated so the tyre is hard I can
steer all right but at the slightest obstacle the muni bounces me off.

Have I bought the wrong tyre? Would a tyre with thicker walls be easier
to steer at low pressure? Or is it a matter of practice?


--
goldenchicken - .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
goldenchicken's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/8149
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/37084

mostly ist practice, but the higher the tire pressure the less rubber in
contact with the ground.


--
total uni - posting is good for the soul!

I post there for I am
------------------------------------------------------------------------
total uni's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/8125
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/37084

With high tire pressure (like mine)

You will learn to use more leg muscles to absorb bumps.
(having your weight on the seat does the 'bump off')

Merry Xmas to all... and Happy New Year


--
DigitalDave - scabless

'nf7-s ~ xp2400mobile'
(http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=21988)
'19,774 3dm01' (http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=8304204)

my will to live was stronger than my will to die - iggy pop
what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger - i dunno :(
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DigitalDave's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/8003
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/37084

Suggestions:
1. Lower the tire pressure to a desirable level.
2. Ride in a tight figure-eight for two hours.
3. When riding bumpy terrain, think "rolling bounce."

I am using a 2.3 tire with medium pressure (enough to keep the rim from
bottoming out). The tire is springy and would bounce me into the air. I
learned to "roll" landings and continue pedalling quickly after hitting
bumps. I spend more time "airborne" now but it is fun. Ultimately, with
some timing, I would rather have the thin tire (than a Gazz) in a race.


--
ChangingLINKS.com - member

Wishing you Happiness, Joy and Laughter,
Drew Brown
http://www.ChangingLINKS.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ChangingLINKS.com's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/5468
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/37084

It is harder to steer with a fat tire and/or low pressure, more rubber
to the ground, making more friction for you to overcome.
THe good thing about it is that due to the larger (and softer) air
chamber, it absorbs bumps with more ease.

Anyway, i go 4.5 bar om my studded 1.75 nokian xtrack tyre, and i'm all
right! It just takes practice!


--
lleberg - Level 3 unicyclist.

I 3 my unicycle!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
lleberg's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/8272
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/37084

My initial thought was that the thin, soft side walls of the foldable
tyre made turning tough and ineffective when riding with low pressure.

I guess more training will help keeping me in the saddle but riding a
tight figure-eight on soft soil for two hours - that would kill me. I
certainly need to improve my rolling hops and the rolling bounce concept
was new to me.

Thank you guys
and a Happy Muni Year


--
goldenchicken - .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
goldenchicken's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/8149
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/37084

goldenchicken wrote:
*I guess more training will help keeping me in the saddle but riding a
tight figure-eight on soft soil for two hours - that would kill me.*


Then do it in pieces. The point is to practice turning (tightly) in both
directions. You will get better at it quickly - and be able to notice
the difference along the way.

I learned about the rolling bounce "the hard way." I was riding down a
difficult hill that everyone takes slowly - and no one ever fell badly
(only lots of UPDs). I came off a 1´ ledge, and landed on packed dirt -
no problem. Then immediately, the tire sprang up with what seemed like
more energy than I put into the tire. I was airborne. I did not even
really try to catch myself because I couldnt believe I was falling - no
one had fallen before. I ended up with several scabs (shoulder, wrist,
both knees, ego)- and I still have traces of them. That day, I learned
to pedal quickly from that bounce and it is a lot of fun. It is similiar
to being able to continue pedaling when the wheel slips a 1/4 rotation.


--
ChangingLINKS.com - member

Wishing you Happiness, Joy and Laughter,
Drew Brown
http://www.ChangingLINKS.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ChangingLINKS.com's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/5468
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/37084

goldenchicken wrote:
*My initial thought was that the thin, soft side walls of the foldable
tyre made turning tough and ineffective when riding with low
pressure.*
Thinner side walls will make it a little harder to turn with low
pressure. It feels like the unicycle is heavier then normal and is
riding through thick mud. With thinner side walls you kinda need more
pressure to keep the maneuverability but because it does have thinner
side walls you can keep much the same bounce with more pressure.


--
Tim - Jelly Bean Eater

Tim 'Braun' (http://www.tim.com.mk/izdanija/1/189.jpg)

Jagur's my main man.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tim's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/4671
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/37084