Noob question on tyres....

BikernatS
BikernatS Posts: 57
edited July 2012 in MTB beginners
Hello,

Noticed on my ride today that my tyres don't inspire much confidence (slipping around alot), which also meant i found it difficult to climb up a wet slope as they just kept spinning because of no traction... Might have just been me though as I was stood out of the saddle so obviously no weight over the saddle, causing loss of grip?

They're just the standard stock tyres that came on my Voodoo Bantu, reading up on here i've heard I can loose some weight off the bike switching them? :)

Basically i'm just asking if it was my fault they had no traction, or because it was wet and slippery, or I should change my tyres... I dont mind changing tyres as noticed a website having a sale so not too pricey. Oh and if I should change my tyre what would you recommend? :)

Ta.

Comments

  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    Probably buy new tyreS, or let a little air out.
  • waby1234
    waby1234 Posts: 571
    What are your current tyres? Hard to recommend or give advice without knowing your benchmark.
    2011 Carrera Fury

    Earn cashback at CRC, Wiggle, Evans, Rutland, Hargroves, Halfords, and more at Quidco
  • Roostoids
    Roostoids Posts: 128
    With regards tyre spin in slippery conditions.

    If you stand up, you're right there is less weight over the back wheel to keep it in the ground/grip, so you're more likely to spin when you pedal. Try and remain seated, even on steep hills, as it is a more efficient way of pedaling and you keep better traction.

    Most people stand up sometimes, especially on really steep stuff, and when you do to try and avoid tyre slip, try to keep an even cadence, rather than putting all the power through the first part of the pedal stroke. An even cadence will be slightly slower probably, but you'll have more chance of keeping some traction. It's like driving in snow...soft clutch control versus smashing the accelerator.

    Hope this helps.
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  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    In addition to what Roostoids said, if you absolutely have to stand up on a steep slippery climb, try and position yourself such that you still put plenty of weight onto the rear wheel.
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  • oxocube1
    oxocube1 Posts: 651
    The tyres that you get with the Bantu aren't the best but you can definitely get worse, they're the same ones we sell on the Carrera Vulcan. It tends to be that the wider tyre and the deeper the tread pattern, the more grip you will have off-road, however a deeper tread pattern also means more rolling resistance when on road.

    The 2.1" width tyre you have on your Bantu is a pretty well balanced size for off-road and road use and the definitive direction pattern on them helps lower the resistance. If you want a more off-road suited tyre maybe try looking at a 2.25" or 2.35" tyre.

    Having said this, you don't necessarily need to change them. Just take some of the advice the guys have given above that's the cheapest option!
    2016 Banshee Rune

    2012 Nukeproof Mega
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    2010 Spesh FSR XC Pro
  • BikernatS
    BikernatS Posts: 57
    Thanks for all the advice :)

    I will try first at a better technique :) as it is the cheaper option ;) haha. Then if all else fails ill try a wider and deeper tread tyre to see if that works :)

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