Trials tire verdict
- frankenschwinn
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Trials tire verdict
Have done about 100 miles so far on the trials tire. About 60 on rocks and about 40 on softer loamy sandy clay.
On the rocks. Wow. Made my bike a completely different bike. Would lift the front so much easier. Getting over fallen trees etc. Was a no brainer. Nearly looped out the first time I pulled it up. Climbing long rocky rooty trails was nearly effortless.
On the softer trails I found that the rear end stepped out a bit more but not enough to worry about. Over all the grip was really good.
The next test will be mud...
On the rocks. Wow. Made my bike a completely different bike. Would lift the front so much easier. Getting over fallen trees etc. Was a no brainer. Nearly looped out the first time I pulled it up. Climbing long rocky rooty trails was nearly effortless.
On the softer trails I found that the rear end stepped out a bit more but not enough to worry about. Over all the grip was really good.
The next test will be mud...
- sped66
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Re: Trials tire verdict
Which is the straw that breaks the camels back for me. Too much wet clay where I live to run a trials tire. For me anyway.frankenschwinn wrote:The next test will be mud...
In the stable: '00 KDX220R, '02 XR250R
Gone but not forgotten: '80 XR80, '87 XR200R, '94 KDX250, '01 YZ426F, '86 XR220R
Gone but not forgotten: '80 XR80, '87 XR200R, '94 KDX250, '01 YZ426F, '86 XR220R
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Main thing is rear braking is not as effective, otherwise in all conditions is awesome. Sometimes in fast, flowing, bermy trails when leaning it over you lose a bit as well. Have had one for 2.5 years, ridden everywhere (Kamloops, Blue Mountain, Utah, my cabin) and never wanted another tire. So, I'll go on a limb and predict you'll keep liking it.
- Julien D
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Re: Trials tire verdict
Not sure what trials tire you tried, or what pressure you ran, or if you haven't actually tried one.
My favorite riding spot is almost entirely red clay, and when it gets wet, it stays wet for weeks. Huge mud holes, long slippery climbs. I love the trials tire in that mess. Drop the pressure a bit, and ride like it's any other day. I'm in northwestern NC, and also do some riding in VA, WV, TN. I have yet to find a spot that made me wish I had a knobby, except for deepish snow. I assume your conditions would be similar to mine. Same mountain range and all that....
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Trials tire is great for single track, slow going and crawls. I had one on my KDX until if finally wore out, which by the way is an abrupt event, one second you have velcro like traction and in an instant you're on a racing slick. Anyway, if I'm carrying any speed at all the handling goes out the window on the trials. I would never put one on my KTM for several reasons.
MadMax
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- Julien D
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- sped66
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Re: Trials tire verdict
A buddy had one (new) & I rode his bike for several hours one day. I thought the trials tire was great for most everything but deep mud. It was truly awful for that. I think the guy left it on for a handfull of rides before switching back to a knobby. (He's a veteran rider btw.)juliend wrote:Not sure what trials tire you tried, or what pressure you ran, or if you haven't actually tried one.
I see very, very few racers using TT's in the VCHSS series in VA. Maybe one in fifty. You'd think everyone would run them if they are so great for VA. But to each his own. The few who do run them are happy I suppose & that's all that matters.
In the stable: '00 KDX220R, '02 XR250R
Gone but not forgotten: '80 XR80, '87 XR200R, '94 KDX250, '01 YZ426F, '86 XR220R
Gone but not forgotten: '80 XR80, '87 XR200R, '94 KDX250, '01 YZ426F, '86 XR220R
- Julien D
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- frankenschwinn
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Maybe I'm a sloppy rider. Or maybe I'm fast as hell..... Either way, I can tell a difference in general handling between a trials tire and a nice Pirelli XC. In the turns, bumps and jumps it's just not as crisp. Again, if I'm crawling single track and exploring, I want nothing but a trials tire.
Yikes, I'd die if I installed one on my Katoom 300 on the first uphill - due to the insane grip.
Yikes, I'd die if I installed one on my Katoom 300 on the first uphill - due to the insane grip.
MadMax
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- sped66
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Can't remember the brand, but knowing this guy it had to be one of the better tires. I want to say he told me 6lbs, but I won't swear to that.juliend wrote:Do you know which tire it was, and what pressure he was running?
In the stable: '00 KDX220R, '02 XR250R
Gone but not forgotten: '80 XR80, '87 XR200R, '94 KDX250, '01 YZ426F, '86 XR220R
Gone but not forgotten: '80 XR80, '87 XR200R, '94 KDX250, '01 YZ426F, '86 XR220R
- Julien D
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- kdxquebec
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I stopped talking about trial tires with my friends. I lost a lot of minutes talking about that and they still ask questions and questions and they know they will never try it... they prefer eating their lunch alone at the bottom of the hill
Michelin X-11 LITE is the better trial tire for tial purpose.
Michelin X-11 LITE is the better trial tire for tial purpose.
'89 KDX 198cc '03 Gasgas Ec250 '13 Husaberg Te300
*CANADA* LEADING THE WORLD IN BEING JUST NORTH OF THE UNITED STATES.
*CANADA* LEADING THE WORLD IN BEING JUST NORTH OF THE UNITED STATES.