This is one of the most popular tire design for aggressive mtber's. They dig well into loose soil and mud, and give excellent traction. Sometimes they are specifically designed for the front or the rear tire. The tread pattern on the front may be for better rolling resistance and for firmly holding in turns. The rear is designed more for traction when accelerating and grip when climbing. Widely spaced knobbies have less traction on smooth surfaces but limit mud accumulation. Closer spaced knobbies are best in firm and dry conditions and reduce rolling resistance. These tires do pretty well over logs, and are perfect for creek crossings. They are also superb in mud, bogs, or snow. On dry smooth surfaces, get the smaller, closely spaced knobs. Usually also comes in FAT tire sizes. *Other factors* A set of knobbies may weigh a little more. They may have poor traction on wet pavement. Also, they will have more rolling resistance than a smooth tire design. Avoid use on smooth rock surfaces like the Slickrock.. A hybrid tire has the tread cut into the tire (sort of like your car), rather than protruding like the knobs. This is a great tire for riding on roads, hard pack, or smooth surfaces. This design has good traction on the forest floor or hiking trails that are relatively smooth. They offer less rolling resistance than a knobby, and are quieter on pavement. Hybrid bikes usually come with this tire design. A "Trials Universal" design is a cross between a hybrid and a knobby. It usually has a uniform checkerboard pattern tread and can be used as a hybrid or a knobby. It is a good all around tire if you occaisionally ride the jeep roads or hard surfaces. *Other Factors* Most bikes come with Hybrid tires from the bike shops. Like knobbies, there are many different tread patterns. This is a good tire for begginer or intermediate mtb'er. Usually need directional design for the front tire, which may have different tread design that the rear. These tires have no tread to speak of. They are totally smooth similar to a road bike tire. Made to be ridden on pavement, many riders use these on smooth rock like Slickrock in Moab, Utah. They have very little rolling resistance, and can take a high air pressure. Usually they are only 1 to 1.5 inches wide and are rare on a mountainbike. *Other Factors* Slicks may be O.K. on super hard dirt and are fast tires. You can go close to or over 100 psi. in most slicks. They are dangerous on wet pavement. Semislicks have knobs along the edge of the tire for good grip in the turns, but have smaller tread in the center. This allows a faster rolling tire. You will not have as good of traction when climbing, and it may perform poorly in wet slippery conditions. *Other Factors* This is a highly specialized tire for use in specific conditions. Not a good all around choice. Can be useful on certain tracks where speed on the straights and traction in cornering is needed. This refers to a tire that is wider than most tires, say 2.25 and over. Usually a knobby design, sometimes a hybrid, these tires are for downhill, mud, loose surfaces, and wet conditions and overall use. Some mtb FAT tires go up to 2.75 or 2.9 in width. ~Caution~ Any wide tire has to have room to fit on your bike. It must not rub the chainstays, front derailleur, or brake housing. Some riders like to ride fatter tires in the front than the rear. I prefer fatter in the rear than the front. They weigh more than narrower tires, and have more rolling resistance. *Other Factors These tires may offer good traction when climbing, but because of their weight it may be harder to pedal uphill. It may be noticeably harder when staring the bike from a stop as these tires require more effort to get rolling. Their extra weight can give your more momentum when going downhill, and offer more floatation over boulders, bumps, and rough surfaces. On a rigid frame bike with no suspension, a fat tire can provide some degree of suspension as they usually have a higher profile and can be run at a lower air pressure. If you like to mtb. on snow covered trails or on frozen lakes, then you need a studded tire for max traction...we recommend the IRC Blizzard. This tire is 26 X 2.125, and has built in metal studs in each knobby! It is designed for ice and snow surfaces, and is available for $49.99. Call us at 1 877 YOU-BIKE to order, or send us an e-mail to shopping@webmountainbike.com |
