I have a 2017 Gas Gas Contact. It came with not so great tires. I want to change the tires. It has tube rims. I understand that some of the tubeless tires will not stay seated properly on tube rims. Has anyone changed to better tires? Which one do I get? Keep in mind, I will have to use tubes also. Thanks
Tires
- Thread starter Jeff B
- Start date
farmerj
Platinum Level Site Supporter
Hi Jeff, you have lots of options here! It kind of depends on what kind of riding you are doing. If it's "trials-type" riding, you would want to stick with a trials tire.
I've been told that the Michelin X-11 radial trials tire can take a tube - but it is expensive. Dunlop or IRC would be good trials tire choices as well. If you're riding trails & single-track, the Dunlop may be better - it is said to have a stiffer sidewall (see link below).
https://www.dirtrider.com/tests/parts-accessories/141_0705_trials_tire_comparison/
FWIW, the Michelin on my trials bike is awesome!
If you are riding single-track, here are a couple of other options - but I personally will keep a trials tire on my trials bike; it just "works". The only reason I can think of to switch to another type of tire is if you are in lots of mud. The trials tires don't have much room between the lugs for the mud to "clean out", and once the voids fill up you lose traction.
One option would be the Kenda Equilibrium. It's a cross between a trials tire and a knobby. Great grip, but will fill up with mud like the trials tire will (I have one on my '05 enduro bike).
Next step toward a knobby would be the Shinko 505. If I wasn't going to put on a trials tire, this is the one I would recommend. Gummy compound, large and closely spaced knobs, doesn't attract mud like the Equilibrium does, excellent grip on a variety of surfaces.
For a full knobby, the Kenda Ibex would be a good choice. Gummy compound, great grip, and will "clean out" well. But it might not fit!
Do a search and you can read forever!
BTW the only trials bike that I have heard of with knobbies is the Beta Evo Sport. So it has been done, but is unusual.
To end, I will reiterate that I don't think you'll be happy with a knobby tire on your Contact. Get a good tube-type trials tire and go
Jeff
P.S. This guy's comments ring true to me:
http://www.trialsnuts.com/faqs.htm
Q: I want to put a knobby tire on my bike because it will get lots better traction.
A: ...the trials tire grips better. Keep in mind you'll need a small knobby because the swingarm is narrow and a big one just won't fit. Also, you'll need to run a tube. And you'll need to drill a hole in your rim and install a rim lock. ...I'll tell you about the only place you'll see an advantage with a knobby is in loose sand. Guys with enduro/desert bikes are aware of this - that's why a lot of them are looking for used competition trials tires and installing them on their KDXs, KTMs, etc. Trials tires are better on hardpan, rocks, just about everywhere but loose sand. And if you're primary riding terrain is deep loose sand, you've purchased the wrong kind of bike! Again, I'm talking about competition trials tires, not el-cheapo tires with a "trials" tread pattern. Those things are not in the same league. I've said my peace...
I've been told that the Michelin X-11 radial trials tire can take a tube - but it is expensive. Dunlop or IRC would be good trials tire choices as well. If you're riding trails & single-track, the Dunlop may be better - it is said to have a stiffer sidewall (see link below).
https://www.dirtrider.com/tests/parts-accessories/141_0705_trials_tire_comparison/
FWIW, the Michelin on my trials bike is awesome!
If you are riding single-track, here are a couple of other options - but I personally will keep a trials tire on my trials bike; it just "works". The only reason I can think of to switch to another type of tire is if you are in lots of mud. The trials tires don't have much room between the lugs for the mud to "clean out", and once the voids fill up you lose traction.
One option would be the Kenda Equilibrium. It's a cross between a trials tire and a knobby. Great grip, but will fill up with mud like the trials tire will (I have one on my '05 enduro bike).
Next step toward a knobby would be the Shinko 505. If I wasn't going to put on a trials tire, this is the one I would recommend. Gummy compound, large and closely spaced knobs, doesn't attract mud like the Equilibrium does, excellent grip on a variety of surfaces.
For a full knobby, the Kenda Ibex would be a good choice. Gummy compound, great grip, and will "clean out" well. But it might not fit!
Do a search and you can read forever!
BTW the only trials bike that I have heard of with knobbies is the Beta Evo Sport. So it has been done, but is unusual.
To end, I will reiterate that I don't think you'll be happy with a knobby tire on your Contact. Get a good tube-type trials tire and go
Jeff
P.S. This guy's comments ring true to me:
http://www.trialsnuts.com/faqs.htm
Q: I want to put a knobby tire on my bike because it will get lots better traction.
A: ...the trials tire grips better. Keep in mind you'll need a small knobby because the swingarm is narrow and a big one just won't fit. Also, you'll need to run a tube. And you'll need to drill a hole in your rim and install a rim lock. ...I'll tell you about the only place you'll see an advantage with a knobby is in loose sand. Guys with enduro/desert bikes are aware of this - that's why a lot of them are looking for used competition trials tires and installing them on their KDXs, KTMs, etc. Trials tires are better on hardpan, rocks, just about everywhere but loose sand. And if you're primary riding terrain is deep loose sand, you've purchased the wrong kind of bike! Again, I'm talking about competition trials tires, not el-cheapo tires with a "trials" tread pattern. Those things are not in the same league. I've said my peace...
Thanks for the reply. I will be trials riding only. I have also a TY 175 that I compete on and am due a new rear. I have read that some of the true trials tires will not stay seated at 3-5 psi if they are mounted on a non tubeless rim. The Contact came with cheep tires. Time to upgrade. Jeff
swazi_matt
Active member
I have not looked closely at my txt, but i don't see any reason why a tubliss can't be done, that will definitley resolve the issue of holding the bead and then you could also look at tubless type tyres
swazi_matt
Active member
if you are concerned about it not holding the bead, why not fit a rimlock? (if you don't want to go tubliss)
swazi_matt
Active member
I have tube type rims on my txt, I am sure that in time i will fit the TuBliss system to it and see how that works out. Since it acts as a rimlock right the way round the rim i am sure it will work on tubeless tyres with the added benefit of acting like a bumper on the big hits so hopefully reduce the chance of the rim biting through through the tyre when i start doing fancy splatts etc
