Tyre for wet roots

simbil1

I'm currently running Panaracer fire XC pro's and they seem to be a great all rounder. Lately though I've been riding a route that has lots of technical sections with roots running across in all directions and there is no traction when the roots are wet.

Is there a tyre that can give at least some traction on wet roots?

ride_whenever

I'd look at the folding trailrakers or even the cinders which are the newer version of the fire xc pro, the trailrakers are really slow rolling as they are a mud tyre but do hook up pretty well.

alfablue

I think wet roots at 45 degrees to the trail are the trickiest of trail features - I don't believe the tyres will make much difference at all. Either go over them fast and try and take them at 90 degrees, or bunny hop them (not usually an option).

nferrar

Trailrakers are pants on roots, too squared edges (they are good on mud though). For a good root tire you want something with a rounder profile IMO so you have knobs at decent angle on the side, ideally the side knobs at least should be cross-cut. Not tried them yet but Bontrager Mud-X's look like they'd be good on roots to me.

simbil1

Thanks for the advice.

The worst section is on a twisty downhill and literally has roots in every direction and the whole section has a slight camber - the exit to the section is not straight through either so some steering has to be done. Floating them is the only real option with a light steer the whole way through. I had an off when following someone who slowed down making be brake.

What should I be looking for in general in a tyre:

* compound
* width (II like a narrower tyre if I can get away with it)
* profile square / circular (sounds like circular)
* close / spread treads
* textured treads
* low / high treads

It's a tough decision - I always want a fast roller but don't want to be falling off to often

nferrar

There's no perfect tyre for all conditions but at this time of year I think most people are making the decision between great mud tyres or something not quite as good in mud but better on roots (traditional spiky mud tyes are often unpredictable on roots at anything other than head on.

Sticky compound and cross-cut knobs all help a little bit with grips on rocks and roots but usually mean faster tyre wear (especially if you ride on the road to get to your local trails).

Width is a tricky one, IMO the best combo for mud is a thin rear (I used to run 1.5 Continentals) and a fattish spiky front. That's likely not a good combo if you ride a lot of roots though.

Right now I use Trailraker 2.1's front and rear as I couldn't get hold of Bonty Mud-X's (in the reinforced side-wall version at least) but kinda regret it as I mostly ride in woods so I ride a lot of roots. They're not as bad as some dedicated spiky mud tyres but they're definetly less predictable than the cheap Schwalbe Hard Climbers I was using in the summer.

These look interesting to me (might try them if I can't get hold of Mud-X's in a m onth or two) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=17675 not seen any reviews though.

simbil1

Those intense tyres do look good.

I was thinking of running a fatter tyre up front and a 1.8 on the rear - I like the direct feel you get from a slim rear especially on climbs.

Have you tried the wildgripper? I seem to remember it being recommended as a rooty tyre.

teacherman

I have same problem with damp pine roots on an off camber downhill. I just run the same spesh resolution pros i have all summer. IMHO tyre choice only makes a negligible difference. You're better off riding 'em a few times and experimenting with how you weight the bike etc. There was a good feature in WMB on riding off camber roots - I think it was last month.

Show the little buggers who's boss. Ride as high up the trail as you can - hit 'em fast and let the bike slide a little if it wants. I find if I stay really loose but keep cranking I ride out the slide.

dmjb3

I'm in exactly the same situation, no real huge mud baths, which we tend to avoid as a group, but once everywhere gets damp and wet, those roots and rocks/pebbles get slippery.

Those Intense tyres at CRC look pretty spot on, but £30 for an 840g plus tyre is a bit off. Any suggestions for anything similar appreciated!