The Tire Thread - Please add your information

[noobi]

Credit for this thread actually goes to Aflica (Steve)

Tire-
Pressure the tire was run at-
Inflation device(tube, tubliss, mousse etc)-
Terrain ridden-
How well did it work-
How well the tyre lasted-
Any other notes-

Bike (model and year)-
Skill level-
Location-

Would you buy another?
If not, why?

can we get this stickied please

 

[stainlesscycle]

Tire-dunlop MX31 (front and rear)
Pressure the tire was run at-6-7lbs front, 5-6lbs rear
Inflation device(tube, tubliss, mousse etc)-tubliss!
Terrain ridden-rocks/roots/mud/loam/hardpack - NO sand, pavement, or clay...
How well did it work-most excellent - rear is trials like at this pressure, and it turns! front gets weird if below 6lbs...
How well the tyre lasted-REAR (6 races, flipped every other race), FRONT 6 races (flipped every other race)
Any other notes- this is the best tire combo i have ever used. i have been through 3 rears and 2 fronts this season so far. wear is about average for me. i switch tires out before they are dead - both rears and fronts could last longer, i just like fresh tires..............the fronts chunk out earlier than i would like (actually they just show cracks at base of side knobs), but i am running low pressure in extremely rocky conditions.....i am now using slime in the fronts, as they leak from side knobs cracking starting at around 3rd race..i have had no issues with bent front rims yet, but my rim definitely has a black ring around it after a race....
Bike (model and year)-2000 xc200
Skill level-faster than some, slower than some..
Location-morgantown, wv

Would you buy another? YES - i will run these forever until something better comes along (doubtful...)

other notes: i have run mx51 (wore too fast and sucked), s12 (great at first, when they wear they become very slick), motoz (maybe i wasn't at the right pressure - but i didn't like the rear,no hookup when wet - it wore great though), 756 (i like this tire), m12 (miserable when wet), 952 a decent overall tire, but not grippy like real tires , pirelli scorpion xc front (too grippy on side knobs- grabbed sides of deep ruts and made for unpredictability ), michelin unicross (i run this on my vintage bikes - a decent compromise for vintage look and feel. i should be running mx31's though..)

 

[aflica]

Tire- Rear Trials - Currently Dunlop D803 , but only cause the Michelin was out of stock , Otherwise Michelin Tube type . Front Currently a Kenda Washougal Sticky
Pressure the tire was run at- Rear 9 to 9.5 Front 12.5 to 13
Inflation device(tube, tubliss, mousse etc)- Rear Moose heavy duty tube . 2 Rim locks . Front stock tube
Terrain ridden- Tight single track with lots of roots and smooth rock faces mostly. Blast rock at times on transfer sections of logging road and also quad tracks with rooty sections
How well did it work- The difference between the Michelin and Dunlop in performance is negligible . The trials just works great for me. I have a second rear wheel with a knobby for the occasional time i go to a sandy loamy area that a more aggressive tire works well in
How well the tyre lasted- Dunlop develops cracks fast on the leading edge of the knobs where they meet the tire but dont affect the performance or life. The Dunlop does out last the Michelin slightly but i just like the Michelin a little bit more in the wet season. Washougal always works good for me
Any other notes- We ride a lot of trials trails here and some are very steep with a lot of sharp turns and the trials tire lets you lose all your momentum on those turns and start right back up again with little to no tire spin . And on what we call "Baby Head Rocks" (round rocks the size of Baby heads) they simply hook up and go , and on a good long steep stretch of hill thats a game saver

Bike (model and year)- 2010 Nambotin
Skill level- Intermediate or maybe a little above , i can ride all the trails and some times really fast and sometimes not so fast , but i do try to be aggressive on my lines and trust the bike will do what i ask of it , and it always does , its just me who fails
Location- Vancouver Island , British Columbia , Canada

Would you buy another? Yes to all 3 tires i mentioned

 

[dank]

Tire-maxxis SI front, GBc Dirtshark rear
Pressure the tire was run at-round 20ish for both ( yaya i know i should check it. im a noob and as long as its not flat i dont have a problem)
Inflation device(tube, tubliss, mousse etc)-tubes
Terrain ridden-anything from sand to clay, rocks and tree roots
How well did it work-the si works great, especially in wet clay and loam, the GBC seems to grab onto just about anything except wet hardpack gravel road and sometimes rocks
How well the tyre lasted-pounded out about 30 miles on wet jagged rock on hills where the sand had washed away, and i still have all of my knobs. the maxxis is almost new, the GBC was on there since before i bought the bike, and still has tons of tread.
Any other notes-ya ya the GBC is cheap. it grabs, and it wears great. slides when i want it to. while riding i did seem to have trouble getting the bike to make long sweeping turns at a good speed, but i dont think that can be credited to the tire.

Bike (model and year)-03 Ec250
Skill level-NOOB (about 6 months of good riding under my belt)
Location-west central Minnesota

Would you buy another? Maxxis, maybe, i used to have a michlin s12 xc, and that was good, but liked to lose knobs, i may switch back to try it again, but i would buy the maxxis. the GBC, if i can find another one, i will buy it. its dirt cheap, and has a good bite, and seems to last forever.
If not, why?

 

[Trailrider]

tire thread

Still use Michelin S!2, 15 rear, 12 front, never had any of the bad ones, they last me a long time, very few rocks where I ride.
Trailrider

 

[Keg]

M404 M403 Bottom east bit of Australian mainland.

 

[gg3]

Credit for this thread actually goes to Aflica (Steve)

Tire- Rear Meltzer MC5,Front Michelin Enduro comp.
Pressure the tire was run at-rear 14,front 16
Inflation device(tube, tubliss, mousse etc)- tube
Terrain ridden-loam,clay,grass.
How well did it work-front is good but will change to a perilli scorpion when worn.Rear is good no issues.
How well the tyre lasted-front is wearing really well,rear is wearing fast.
Any other notes-The Michelin enduro comp rear it came with was awful.

Bike (model and year)-2010 ec300
Skill level-intermediate
Location-New Zealand

Would you buy another? rear yes,front no.
If not, why? not a bad tyre but just always found the Perilli scorpion better.

 

[Bobt250]

Bike=2005 Honda CR250
Rear Michelin X11 trials tire.
Pressure=9 pounds

I ride western Pennsylvania. A mix of rocks, roots and plenty of hills. Lots of variety in dirt type. Sometimes hard pack sometimes soft loam.

I love this tire and will not go back to a knobby. It's amazing and unless you try it you won't understand.

 

[kendunn]

06 EC 300 ridden in really tight eastern woods (KY, USA) with some old connector dirt roads thrown in. Advanced intermediate rider as far as speed, pretty good as far as going through the rough stuff with 25 years in the saddle. Running the Pirelli MT43 on the rear around 8 psi with IRC heavy tube. Front tire is whatever my buddy that races has sitting around at 12 psi . The trails tire works great most of the time. There are some fast quad trails we sometimes ride that is kind of sandy and its still excellent there. On rocks its like velcro. The Dunlop is slightly stickier but not nearly as durable so its a compromise. Also the Dunlop wants to come off the bead even with 2 rim locks. The tire will last forever, and I mean forever. My son has had one almost a year of regular riding on his 250 and just starting to show a little wear. When the edges get rounded it has little or no effects. Also they are very gentle on the trail, almost too gentle, I cut my own trails and can't seem to ride them down enough to even follow.

Now the downside-if the trails are muddy braking is terrible, you have to adjust your riding style. Also deep mud isn't going to hook up as well. Its getting winter here and turning nasty so I may switch back to a knob. If its dry and not deep sand they are the only way to go.

 

[iancp5]

Tire:- Michelin comp 3 and 4
Pressure the tire was run at- N/A
Inflation device(tube, tubliss, mousse etc)- Mousse
Terrain ridden- Woods/Forestry
How well did it work-Great
How well the tyre lasted-4 events (but matter of choice as new is best)
Any other notes-

Bike (model and year)-EC200
Skill level-Moderate
Location-UK

 

[Elvis74]

I used the michelin S12 front and rear for long time riding in the sand.
Now I tested the Dunlop MX11 rear tire and what can I say:
it is unbeliveble now much traction this tire has. When you open the throttle the S12 has nothing else than wheel spin and the MX11 give you traction and you will come out every corner on the rear wheel!
I just can recomment the MX11 for deep sand, riding is much more fun with the right tire!

 

[dhally]

Trials tires rawk!

Tire- Dunlop trials D803 front and rear
Pressure the tire was run at- ~10 lb front and rear to minimize flats
Inflation device(tube, tubliss, mousse etc)- trials tube
Terrain ridden- desert mountains - rocks/sandy/sand dunes
How well did it work- very well on all the surfaces. There was no mud or hard pack
How well the tyre lasted- one ride so far!
Any other notes- Most people don't like front trials tires but I couldn't feel any problems. Did not ride hard, bash into rocks, bounce off berms, or ride on pavement. They worked very well in deep sand.

I went down a loose rock hill I wouldn't even attempt on my old tires (Mileville) and came up doing wheelies. We had to push my buddy's YZ250 up the hill. He had worn out knobs.

Incredible confidence on off-camber slick rock staircases, front and rear.

Bike (model and year)-2005 EC300
Skill level- B recreational
Location- Mattawa, WA / Saddle Mtn ORV

Would you buy another? Rear Yes, Front wait and see.
If not, why? Rear Only to try a different trials tire. Front depends on how it works out.

 

[GasGasDreamer]

Tire-Front & Rear Pirelli MT43 Trials, front as every 3rd knob removed
Pressure the tire was run at-usually at 10psi front and 8psi rear but can lower, haven't dinged rims yet
Inflation device(tube, tubliss, mousse etc)-Tubliss Front & Rear
Terrain ridden-Desert, single track, virgin desert, washes, brutal-rocky-technical, trial bike trails
How well did it work-Very well
How well the tyre lasted-Very long
Any other notes-I see no need to run knobs any longer. In the future will try desert knobby which have very thick sidewalls for s&g. Love the hookup. Will never go back to knobs. Like that it looks like it should not work.
It seems to me that knobs dig trenches while the trials leaves the ground nearly undisturbed. Flexing=larger footprint.
Tubliss allows running flat although never had too. A trick is to run some slime but to lube inner assemble and tire bleeds green and can be plugged and back to riding.
Bike (model and year)-2006 EC300
Skill level-'A' non racer
Location-Las Vegas NV USA Earth

Would you buy another?100% yes

 

[swazi_matt]

Is that every third row of knobs removed?
How do you remove them?
How does it handle clayey mud

 

[GasGasDreamer]

Is that every third row of knobs removed?

Its like this ..... R is Removed and K is Knob
The middle/ center row has 3 knobs then removed
and I alternated back and forth to the left and right
can post a pic if this doesn't work

K R K K K K K K K R K K K K K K K R K K
K K K R K K K R K K K R K K K R K K K R -center
K K K K K R K K K K K K K R K K K K K K

How do you remove them?

Razor knife and St Pauli Dark

How does it handle clayey mud

Without any mods at all, on Husaberg Force Ride in Gunnison CO, super muddy in some areas, I had just as much traction as knobs. When they were packed with clay so was mine. I removed the knobs thinking that it might work in the sand/loose like the specialty tire. I never had any issues in any terrain. Sand is ok. Las Vegas doesn't get much rain but in Gunnison it was super slippery. My trials out performed knobs fin the slimy snot or sure. They would spin I wouldn't. Just don't dump the clutch and spin them up like you might do on a knob. As soon as I feel them spin I backoff the throttle so they can stop spin and start grabbing. Its a different style to some. I also run Tubliss which means I can drop my psi to anything I want. I haven't gotten to crazy low psi like on my trials yet but I will. Seems that the 100+psi inner tube/tire stops it from rimming and dinging the rims. We have lots of sharp edge rocks and formation but no issues. I like to ride my enduro EC300 on the 'trials only' trail. Its a joke really because endures just cant do the trail but its in the moments that you loose it that you learn. I also like running bald, totally smooth, chords showing a little, trials on the rear of my endure. Believe it or not it still hooks up good but what is cool is the off chamber. They slip out as soon as you get outside the bikes sweet spot. Makes a new trials seem like magic then.

 

[swazi_matt]

thanks, I also run tubliss and love it, but have not gone for any soft sidewall tires (like trials tires) yet due to the caution from the local importer stating that i will run a high chance of sidewall cuts

do you not get the wobbly back feeling in the faster sections with your trials tire?

 

[GasGasDreamer]

thanks, I also run tubliss and love it, but have not gone for any soft sidewall tires (like trials tires) yet due to the caution from the local importer stating that i will run a high chance of sidewall cuts

I think I read here, and I want to try it for s&g, to run a Desert AT knob which has super stiff sidewalls. I guess the thinking is that then the sidewall wont pinch even with no air.
But Pirelli is more of a trials tire made for an enduro than a trials tire for trials bike. It has some decent thick sidewalls, not like a Michelin which I split the sidewall on the first ride. At speed, "pop", wiggle wiggle, 3" sidewall slit.
When have some really sharp edges here and no issues with the Pirelli MT 43, not true of Michelin

do you not get the wobbly back feeling in the faster sections with your trials tire?

I did get a flat on a Pirelli trials [barrel cactus will kill tubes and bounce you off your bike like no rock can] before I had the Tubliss. I was able to haul @ss back on a flat, yes it did swing back and forth but it was predictable.
But a Michelin at low psi, not flat, isn't nice at all. Too low and it wobbles and on a single track you have only a few inches to be in so I didn't like the Michelin at all. I had to jack the psi up to maintain accuracy on singles at speed which was too much psi to get the real grip, I mean it was ok but not good imho. Again the Pirelli is a heavy duty sidewall, at least the rear is.

 

[bkwdc]

I love the dunlop trials. But, am gonna try the AT81 Dunlop this weekend. Supose to be the best of both worlds knobby and trials low air pressure with lots of grip everywhere will let you know. Is not the desert version. Dont think needed in south east.

 

[swazi_matt]

I think I read here, and I want to try it for s&g, to run a Desert AT knob which has super stiff sidewalls. I guess the thinking is that then the sidewall wont pinch even with no air.
But Pirelli is more of a trials tire made for an enduro than a trials tire for trials bike. It has some decent thick sidewalls, not like a Michelin which I split the sidewall on the first ride. At speed, "pop", wiggle wiggle, 3" sidewall slit.
When have some really sharp edges here and no issues with the Pirelli MT 43, not true of Michelin



I did get a flat on a Pirelli trials [barrel cactus will kill tubes and bounce you off your bike like no rock can] before I had the Tubliss. I was able to haul @ss back on a flat, yes it did swing back and forth but it was predictable.
But a Michelin at low psi, not flat, isn't nice at all. Too low and it wobbles and on a single track you have only a few inches to be in so I didn't like the Michelin at all. I had to jack the psi up to maintain accuracy on singles at speed which was too much psi to get the real grip, I mean it was ok but not good imho. Again the Pirelli is a heavy duty sidewall, at least the rear is.

ok, sounds like the pirelli is similar to the mitas trials tire, also has a more serious sidewall

 

[GasGasDreamer]

ok, sounds like the pirelli is similar to the mitas trials tire, also has a more serious sidewall

i don't know about that since i never saw the mitas
but the Pirelli was like a 'regular' sidewall whereas the other trials were flimsy.
again, i think that Pirelli designed this as a 'endure trials'
good luck
post your results
K ?