why bigger tires?

pas said:

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)

Quoted message said:

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/LUNSEN-filer/lunsenled11e.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/LUNSEN-filer/lunsenl3c.jpg
http://www.lowdin.nu/Mtbruntuppsala/LUNSEN-filer/lunsenl28.jpg

Per

pas said:

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

Quoted message said:

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

ZeeExSixAre said:

Quoted message said:

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 ;-)

Zilla said:

pas said:

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

Quoted message said:

Zilla wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

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

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" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

go bigger, but being the weight weenie and cheapskate I am, I "just say

no".

Quoted message said:

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

pas said:

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.

pas said:

Zilla said:

pas said:

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

For XC riding, my 2.10s (IRC Mythos, and Jones XC) do
fine at 35psi.

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

"pas" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

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

I suspect there is no definitive answer and it's all down to personal
preferences.

After experimenting with a number of set-ups, I've settled for
Panaracer Trail Blasters (sometimes Fire XCs) 1.8s front and back at
50/55 psi. Yes, the ride can be as hard as hell but I find the
handling more stable/predictable on this set up than the wider tyres
and/or lower pressures alternatives. I ride mainly on hard pack (or
at least it was before the onset of the British summer) and mud (the
current summer conditions). If I did a lot of rocks or roots then it
might be different.

I also have a number of trails within 4 miles of home so I ride
on-road to my normal off-road trails which I'll admit encourages me to
put up with the high pressures.

Joe

pas said:

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

I'd keep going on your current tires until you need new ones and then
reevaluate. I have Specialized Enduro Pro 2.2's on the SS and Intense System
4 2.25's on my Epic, but those Intense tires are huge for their labeled
size, and are more like 2.3 or even 2.4's.

I'll probably go a little smaller on my next set for the Epic, but the grip
of the Intense tires is really, really good. They are a bit heavy and I
think I'd probably just get the 2.2 Enduros for that bike as well the next
time around.

One more benefit of larger tires (if running tubes) is less likelyhood of a
pinch flat.

In the end it's all about preference, you idiot. 😉

Matt

It is a control factor, especially in loose and/or
technical sections. More tire contact = better
cornering, better braking and better high-freq bump
absorption. They may not roll as well, but the
trade-off is well worth it to me for the kind of
riding I mostly do. Experiment a bit. Buy a WTB
Motorpator 2.4 and put it on the front only, ride some
technical stuff that requires a lot of front brake and
see the difference. A few of my friends run a 2.4 up
front and a 2.3-2.1 in back and have great success
with that combo. I prefer the control of the 2.4 Moto
in both front and back. If I'm riding hardpack, I
pump them up over 40 psi so they don't "roll" off of
the rim in hard cornering.

JD

Slacker said:

ZeeExSixAre said:

Quoted message said:

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 ;-)

Supple sidewalls = better traction and smoother ride

miles

"pas" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

go bigger, but being the weight weenie and cheapskate I am, I "just say

no".

Quoted message said:

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

Cheaper way of getting more suspension. Especially the front. I like
running big non DH 2.5 tires in the front. I normally run smaller tires in
the back.

"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It is a control factor, especially in loose and/or
technical sections. More tire contact = better
cornering, better braking and better high-freq bump
absorption. They may not roll as well, but the
trade-off is well worth it to me for the kind of
riding I mostly do. Experiment a bit. Buy a WTB
Motorpator 2.4 and put it on the front only, ride some
technical stuff that requires a lot of front brake and
see the difference. A few of my friends run a 2.4 up
front and a 2.3-2.1 in back and have great success
with that combo. I prefer the control of the 2.4 Moto
in both front and back. If I'm riding hardpack, I
pump them up over 40 psi so they don't "roll" off of
the rim in hard cornering.

JD

Yeah, what he said. I'm one of those guys he put a 2.4 on the front of the
red geared bike, that didn't quite fit on the SS last year, and I love it.
The 2.4 MR almost never breaks loose. Especially steep descents, my front
almost never locks up, and it's nice to be able to use the front brake for
control whilst my hinder parts are being polished by the rear tire.
Cornering, etc. etc. all proves out.

Paladin

Quoted message said:

Supple sidewalls = better traction and smoother ride

miles

So whatcha running? And which bike and tire pressures?

--
Slacker

'Cos Shaun aRe runs bigger tyres and says 'it is good'. HTH.

',;~}~

Shaun aRe

Slacker said:

Quoted message said:

Supple sidewalls = better traction and smoother ride

miles

So whatcha running? And which bike and tire pressures?

--
Slacker

2.25 Geax Sedonas (much bigger than the size would indicate) on my Kona
Beer (and my SS, too), at about 22 psi, or something like that.

miles