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Mud Tires

Old 10-28-09, 06:45 PM
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Mud Tires

I've noticed that a lot of mud tires are narrower than the tried-and-true 35mm. My Michelin Mud2's are 30mm, and my team boss just gave me a wheelset with some 27mm () Clement mud tires glued on.

Am I correct in that you want a narrow tire to "cut" throught the mud?
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Old 10-28-09, 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by CrimsonKarter21
...

Am I correct in that you want a narrow tire to "cut" throught the mud?

that actually sounds right....my experience with mud and a thin tire is new, but i've noticed it does slice thru the really thick muck, esp. if you are hauling. and that's with a week of doing it with slicks while waiting for my new knobbies to come in
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Old 10-28-09, 06:54 PM
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thats correct

although mich mud2s are closer to 35 than 30
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Old 10-28-09, 07:06 PM
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Depends on the type of mud. If its thick, then you want a narrow tire to "cut" through it. If its more soupy, than a wider tire will be better.

I think you are better off with 32's since i personally think 30's have very little practical use except in super thick mud.
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Old 10-29-09, 08:22 AM
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I think 32 is the end all be all tire size. Well it's most versatile anyway. It's nice to have the luxury of multiple wheelsets and different tread patters and tire sizes but if you just have one then 32's are it IMHO. But yeah thin mud tires on deep dish wheels are great for cutting through the mud to the hard pack under neath and there is less drag through mud so it's ideal in those conditions.
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Old 10-29-09, 08:50 PM
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a quick question that is related (thus no irritating 'new thread'):

do i put my rear tire with the tread going in the opposite direction (as i did with my MTB michelin mud 2.0s)?

or should both treads be aimed forward...?
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Old 10-29-09, 08:53 PM
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Well, there is a reason some bikes will come with 2 different tires. A front cutting tire usually with pointed in tread or almost cleated tire. And the rear power/drive tire which will usually have a step or straight horizontal tread for almost paddling through mud/dirt/sand
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Old 10-30-09, 06:29 AM
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Originally Posted by UBUvelo
a quick question that is related (thus no irritating 'new thread'):

do i put my rear tire with the tread going in the opposite direction (as i did with my MTB michelin mud 2.0s)?

or should both treads be aimed forward...?
I think that is a bit of voodoo. I never really believed that but lots of people do it. I put mine on in the same direction. Though one year I reversed them only because like a dumbass I glued the tire on backwards but hey, at least I had an excuse
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Old 10-30-09, 07:10 AM
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My Vittoria Cross XGs have two arrows on the sidewall.

One direction says "speed-->" and the other says "<-- traction"

The "speed" direction has the arrows pointer forward. The "traction" direction has the arrows backwards, presumably to act as "paddles" in soft terrain. So, I have the front mounted for speed, and the rear for traction.

Does it actually make a difference? Heck if I know.
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Old 10-30-09, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Lithuania
although mich mud2s are closer to 35 than 30
I think I've heard that before, but I picked up a pair last night and now I'm puzzled. I measured them at about 31mm, maybe a little under, at around 40 psi. Are they that much wider at higher pressure or is there a lot of manufacturing variation?
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Old 10-30-09, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Crack Monkey
My Vittoria Cross XGs have two arrows on the sidewall.

Does it actually make a difference? Heck if I know.
If it is anything like motorcycle tires, front tire needs most of the braking traction and the rear wheel for forward traction which are opposite from one another. That may explain the opposite directional arrows.
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Old 10-30-09, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by duckbill
If it is anything like motorcycle tires, front tire needs most of the braking traction and the rear wheel for forward traction which are opposite from one another. That may explain the opposite directional arrows.
So which way for the arrows?
(Looking at the bike from the top with rear to left)
1) Rear <- frame -> Front
2) Rear -> frame <- Front

Last edited by myclem; 10-30-09 at 03:34 PM.
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Old 10-30-09, 12:20 PM
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Straddling the bike, like you're about to go for a ride... the front tire has the tread arrows like /\, so as they roll, the point hits the ground first. And the rear has them like \/ so they "scoop" at the dirt.

So, I think your #1.
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Old 10-30-09, 12:29 PM
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Got it. I currently have them both pointing forward. I will try #1.
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Old 10-30-09, 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Andy_K
I think I've heard that before, but I picked up a pair last night and now I'm puzzled. I measured them at about 31mm, maybe a little under, at around 40 psi. Are they that much wider at higher pressure or is there a lot of manufacturing variation?
ive never actually measured them myself so i dont know. im just a sheep that listens to what others tell me
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Old 10-30-09, 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Crack Monkey
Straddling the bike, like you're about to go for a ride... the front tire has the tread arrows like /\, so as they roll, the point hits the ground first. And the rear has them like \/ so they "scoop" at the dirt.

So, I think your #1.
I would think it'd be the other way around, as you would want your front tire providing as much traction as possible, and not have your rear wheel feel bogged down during quick accelerations.
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Old 10-30-09, 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by erichkopp
I would think it'd be the other way around, as you would want your front tire providing as much traction as possible, and not have your rear wheel feel bogged down during quick accelerations.
This makes sense, too.
If the rear slips, I have a chance at recovering.
If the front slips, I have a chance to eat mud pie.

Does it depend on conditions? dry vs wet?
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Old 10-30-09, 04:28 PM
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well, i'm from mississippi and lived too close to new orleans, so i'll stick with the voodoo tread reversal mojo like my mountain bike is...i don't see the oppositional rear hurting acceleration....but i like that it can claw and bite (albeit itty bitty knobbies)...heck, like a mole.

if i finish last or not at all, i'll reverse the spell!

Originally Posted by jfmckenna
I think that is a bit of voodoo. I never really believed that but lots of people do it. I put mine on in the same direction. Though one year I reversed them only because like a dumbass I glued the tire on backwards but hey, at least I had an excuse
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Old 10-30-09, 04:51 PM
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Originally Posted by erichkopp
I would think it'd be the other way around, as you would want your front tire providing as much traction as possible, and not have your rear wheel feel bogged down during quick accelerations.
Yes to the concept, but no to the execution, you want the front tire to roll when it's rotating (front of the V) and grab when it's not (back of the V), and you want the back tire to push when its rotating (back of the V). It would be nice for the back tire to also grab when it's not turning, but it's not as important as the other stuff.
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