Knobbies or slick?
It’s that time of year…pollens falling, allergies are flaring up and the tires you’ve had on since last April have only enough tread left for a ride to the local recycling center. Don’t be cheap; you’ve got all you can get out of those threadbare rubbers. Go treat yourself to some new shoes. The knobs from the last ones are so thin it’s a wonder you made it down Bennett Gap last fall….good thing it just closed or else you might have attempted it again. Seriously, how long do you think cracked, dry rotted tires will last? The question now is, what to get? Should you go with the usual suspects like the Specialized All-Condition, Kenda Karma or WTB Exiwolf? Possibly. All good choices, but isn’t it time you said no to generalizations and finally said yes to buying specific tires for specific conditions (you know who you are).
Nothing worse than cracked rubber
Believe it or not the design for MTB tires is more than just seeing who can leave the coolest imprint in the sand at the local trail; you have to take into consideration your riding style, bike set-up and possibly the most important, trail conditions. Are you a seated or standing climber, a spinner or a masher? Do you live in a dry or wet climate, rocky or sandy….all questions you must pose when the day comes. Hit up your LBS and pick the employees brain about what they see fit for the local conditions, then off of their beta choose something that pairs nicely with your riding style….it’s much like choosing a fine wine. I mean you wouldn’t tell a “big-gear-masher” to ride a No-Tubes Crow and go try to climb Kitsuma would you? That’s just mean. Pair them well and you’ll feel like you’re glued to the trail, pair them wrong and you’ll be spinning out like a bad episode of “Ice Road Truckers”.
Every quality brand has tires that will fit you regardless of how you ride. Whether it’s a semi-slick/knobby combo or a matching thin walled race set, the correct combination will quite possibly be that extra boost of confidence needed to tackle Farlow. And please remember that it’s ok to run a larger tire in the front…here it is, wait for it…size does matter.
By Brandon Lee (Mountain bike dude)
Great article. Makes me want to get my bike down and hit the trail. Well, maybe go by the shop first…
Great article. Makes me want to get my bike down and hit the trail. Well, maybe go by the shop first…
Interesting stuff! Great motivation to get some new tires.
Interesting stuff! Great motivation to get some new tires.
The LBS should have some MBT that are suitable for the conditions that I ride. Thanks for some good perspective. Now, I can convince my wife that I don’t need to go cheap.
The LBS should have some MBT that are suitable for the conditions that I ride. Thanks for some good perspective. Now, I can convince my wife that I don’t need to go cheap.
nice write up. tyres are so overlooked sometimes it’s silly.
nice write up. tyres are so overlooked sometimes it’s silly.
I agree that the LBS should be good for this. It’s just a problem in that so many shops around here are much more knowledgeable about road bikes. Which leaves trial and error, kind of expensive. So, staying with what has worked seems best option.
I agree that the LBS should be good for this. It’s just a problem in that so many shops around here are much more knowledgeable about road bikes. Which leaves trial and error, kind of expensive. So, staying with what has worked seems best option.