#1
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why bigger tires?
educate me, discuss or call me an idiot, doesn't matter ;-)
What's the deal with different tire sizes? Tuff grrl keeps telling I should go bigger, but being the weight weenie and cheapskate I am, I "just say no". Is there a reason an XC rider would want bigger tires? More traction, more stability? I always figured bigger tires were for primarily big hit/DH riders. Do bigger tires contribute more to trail erosion, or only if skidded? care to elaborate, any one? penny |
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#2
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why bigger tires?
pas wrote:
educate me, discuss or call me an idiot, doesn't matter ;-) What's the deal with different tire sizes? Tuff grrl keeps telling I should go bigger, but being the weight weenie and cheapskate I am, I "just say no". Is there a reason an XC rider would want bigger tires? More traction, more stability? I always figured bigger tires were for primarily big hit/DH riders. Do bigger tires contribute more to trail erosion, or only if skidded? care to elaborate, any one? penny What size tires do you use now? -- - Zilla Cary, NC (Remove XSPAM) |
#3
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why bigger tires?
care to elaborate, any one?
You get more rubber on the ground, in technical sections where you depend on friction you simply have more of it, e.g., rockgardens. On lose muddy trails you sink down less. Going on wooden plank bridges http://www.lowdin.nu/Mtbruntuppsala/...nsenled11e.JPG wide tires makes it less likely that you slip between the planks and get stuck with your wheel. We have a lot of those where we ride in Sweden so we always use 2.1" tires. http://www.lowdin.nu/Mtbruntuppsala/.../lunsenl3c.jpg http://www.lowdin.nu/Mtbruntuppsala/.../lunsenl28.jpg Per |
#4
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why bigger tires?
pas wrote:
educate me, discuss or call me an idiot, doesn't matter ;-) What's the deal with different tire sizes? Tuff grrl keeps telling I should go bigger, but being the weight weenie and cheapskate I am, I "just say no". Is there a reason an XC rider would want bigger tires? More traction, more stability? I always figured bigger tires were for primarily big hit/DH riders. Do bigger tires contribute more to trail erosion, or only if skidded? care to elaborate, any one? penny They're definitely not only for big hit or DH. As Per already explained, more contact area, which is great not only going DH over rougher terrain , but climbing up techy stuff too. They just roll over stuff easier. Of course the downside is the weight. Also, more importantly than size is the tread and sidewall stiffness. Give me a narrower, stiff side walled, good knobby designed tire over a wide flexy, crappy tread one any day. -- Slacker |
#5
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why bigger tires?
Of course the downside is the weight. Also, more importantly than size
is the tread and sidewall stiffness. Give me a narrower, stiff side walled, good knobby designed tire over a wide flexy, crappy tread one any day. Pliable sidewalls = less rolling resistance. Here we go... -- Phil, Squid-in-Training |
#6
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why bigger tires?
ZeeExSixAre wrote:
Of course the downside is the weight. Also, more importantly than size is the tread and sidewall stiffness. Give me a narrower, stiff side walled, good knobby designed tire over a wide flexy, crappy tread one any day. Pliable sidewalls = less rolling resistance. Here we go... Stiff sidewalls = better handling Who cares about rolling resistance if they fold on you? Slacker - off to the races ;-) |
#7
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why bigger tires?
Zilla wrote:
pas wrote: educate me, discuss or call me an idiot, doesn't matter ;-) What's the deal with different tire sizes? Tuff grrl keeps telling I should go bigger, but being the weight weenie and cheapskate I am, I "just say no". Is there a reason an XC rider would want bigger tires? More traction, more stability? I always figured bigger tires were for primarily big hit/DH riders. Do bigger tires contribute more to trail erosion, or only if skidded? care to elaborate, any one? penny What size tires do you use now? 2.10 |
#8
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why bigger tires?
Zilla wrote: What size tires do you use now? pas wrote: 2.10 IRC serac on the front, Michelin Hot S on the back. I guess I haven't been paying much attention to tires. I've been gifted with lots of new ones (thanks you know who you are...) and so for what I've noticed about tires is, "worn" or "new". I've experimenting with less tire pressure, and boy does that sure change the ride from #40 psi. Maybe I should pay more attention to tire type/size/tread? penny |
#9
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why bigger tires?
I vote for wide large volume tires. But I do weigh 220lbs and don't speed
much time worrying about my bikes weight. Fixing flats and bike repairs on the trail are more of a priority. Current bike about 30lbs. I used Panaracer XC Pro 2.1 for a my first year riding and they seemed to work good for So-Cal riding. When a brought my 5-spot, 18 months ago, I started with 2.35 IRC Trailbears. I could run them at low pressure (28-30lbs) and not get pinch flats. They are slow on the flats, but climb well and feel good downhill. I am now running a 2.5 WTB Weirwolf Race on the front and a 2.5 IRC Trailbear on the rear...28lbs in front, 30lbs in back. In my experience descending steep loose stuff is not as scary with wide tires and low pressure, they don't break loose as easy in heavy braking. Was up in Big Bear, CA. today and caught the sleeve of my jersey on a branch. Pulled my handlebars to the right in very sandy trail and when over the bars, landing on the back of my head and left shoulder. My riding buddy could hear my helmet cracking and it was so noticeable that I was conscience of the noise even before coming to a stop. For me, when things go wrong it happen so fast that it feels like a blackout. I have been OTB about 5-6 times and each time I have avoided face plant by rolling with it. I have engrain in my head not to put my hands to stop the fall. This was the first OTB on flat ground, all others were downhill and not having my weight back. "pas" wrote in message ... educate me, discuss or call me an idiot, doesn't matter ;-) What's the deal with different tire sizes? Tuff grrl keeps telling I should go bigger, but being the weight weenie and cheapskate I am, I "just say no". Is there a reason an XC rider would want bigger tires? More traction, more stability? I always figured bigger tires were for primarily big hit/DH riders. Do bigger tires contribute more to trail erosion, or only if skidded? care to elaborate, any one? penny |
#10
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why bigger tires?
pas wrote:
educate me, discuss or call me an idiot, doesn't matter ;-) What's the deal with different tire sizes? Tuff grrl keeps telling I should go bigger, but being the weight weenie and cheapskate I am, I "just say no". Is there a reason an XC rider would want bigger tires? More traction, more stability? I always figured bigger tires were for primarily big hit/DH riders. Do bigger tires contribute more to trail erosion, or only if skidded? care to elaborate, any one? Bigger tyre pros: more cushioning, increased grip Bigger tyre cons: increased rolling resistance, increased weight You already ride a full bouncer, so the cushioning benefits are pretty much negated right there. It's therefore a trade-off between increased grip against increased rolling weight and rolling resistance. My personal opinion is that grip is far more influenced by body position and proper weighting than tyre properties. I view the odd section where I have to get off and hike as an acceptable trade off to being able to ride longer and with less effort. YMMV, depending on the terrain and type of riding you do. |
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