Challenge Grifo question

devhads
devhads Posts: 236
edited January 2014 in Cyclocross
The Challenge website says you can run these in either direction depending on if you want them to be faster or grippier. Seeing as it's likely to be muddy on Sunday does anyone know if there's any value in swapping them round so the arrows point backwards for extra grip. Bearing in mind how much of a pain they were to put on in the first place. Open clincher version BTW not tubs.

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    I would use the traction setting on the rear wheel at least... if it's really muddy then even the front one...
    left the forum March 2023
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    If it's anything like the last few races I've done, I'd say that front wheel grip is going to be even more important than rear (though good technique will be way more important again); not trusting the front wheel can lead to a lot of running on off-camber sections.

    From your location I'm guessing you're going to Welwyn. Anyone know what the course is like?
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    I don't think it affects lateral grip... it does affects traction... it's just the way a rubber feature faces forward or backward. It's the same on the XG PRO
    left the forum March 2023
  • cyclingsheep
    cyclingsheep Posts: 640
    If I have direction specific tread on either my mtb or my CX bike I almost always turn the rear around for traction but leave the front as specified. As Ugo says it's about the traction which you do not need on the front (unless you have two wheel drive but I think there's probably some UCI rule about that, and weight issues)
  • VamP
    VamP Posts: 674
    Either way the difference will likely be psychological. I would recommend fitting latex tubes and going really low on pressures though. That will make a bigger difference. Practicing off-camber turns on muddy banks will make a bigger difference still.
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    ^ this.

    In my experience, the greatest cause of losing it on off-camber turns is thinking you're going to lose it...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • devhads
    devhads Posts: 236
    Yes, it's Welwyn. Not sure what the course is like, I've been to training sessions run by Welwyn Wheelers and that was round the outskirts of the track, on the banks, very off-camber. Don't think it will be there though as they wouldn't be able to make it long enough.

    The outer knobbles on the Grifos are round so I guess the direction won't effect lateral grip. The last race I did when going through thick mud on a straight section I felt the rear wheel sliding a bit sideways under load so maybe turning it round would help that.

    VamP - I had latex tubes in both tyres but one has an unrepairable hole. If I don't get the chance to get to my LBS or they're out of them which would you put the other one in, front or back, in other words which wheel is it best to run at lower pressure for grip on off-camber sections. I guess from TGOTB's post above the front wheel?

    Absolutely the biggest problem is lack of skills/experience. Coming to the end of my first racing season and a lot to learn still.
  • cyclingsheep
    cyclingsheep Posts: 640
    devhads wrote:
    Absolutely the biggest problem is lack of skills/experience. Coming to the end of my first racing season and a lot to learn still.

    Me too and I'll be at Welwyn too. See you there :D
  • devhads
    devhads Posts: 236
    I'll be sliding around near the back of the vets with my tyres on the wrong way round :)
  • cyclingsheep
    cyclingsheep Posts: 640
    edited January 2014
    devhads wrote:
    I'll be sliding around near the back of the vets with my tyres on the wrong way round :)

    Then we'll probably fall over each other coz that's my position
  • bobley
    bobley Posts: 60
    devhads wrote:
    I'll be sliding around near the back of the vets with my tyres on the wrong way round :)

    1 bottle of Westmalle says you'll be just behind me.......
  • devhads
    devhads Posts: 236
    bobley wrote:
    devhads wrote:
    I'll be sliding around near the back of the vets with my tyres on the wrong way round :)

    1 bottle of Westmalle says you'll be just behind me.......


    I'll take that bottle of Westmalle and raise you a bottle of Taras Boulba I'll be just in front of you :D
  • VamP
    VamP Posts: 674
    Yes front end grip is more important than back end grip.
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    To me the Traction Setting for the rear = at the bottom of the wheel the W point backwards so it is scooping dirt like a shovel.

    Frankly I've experimented with it both ways and found that pressure trumps direction...
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    FransJacques wrote:
    To me the Traction Setting for the rear = at the bottom of the wheel the W point backwards so it is scooping dirt like a shovel.
    Or does it work the other way, with the point of the arrow pushing soft mud aside and allowing the tread to reach more solid mud below?

    I don't know the answer to this, and sadly I'm too incompetent to be able to tell the difference. Despite owning a car-load of tyres, in a blind testing I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Pipistrellos and Rhinos :roll:
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • jmaccyd
    jmaccyd Posts: 17
    My Grifo is faced for grip on the back mainly because I didn't check the direction when I glued them! I noticed no real difference with direction but going low with pressures is the real game changer. Last muddy race went down to low 20s on a non bumpy course and me weighing 13 and a half stone. Lots of rally car style tail out handling that was good fun. Get some tubs for next season and lower those pressures. I'll be in the vets race at Welwyn too
  • devhads
    devhads Posts: 236
    I've swapped the back one for grip. Going to get a latex tube come what may and run them high 20s at Welwyn, see how it goes. I'm just over 13 stone.
    Not sure about that rally car slide with the Grifo yet. Last race I had about 4 offs and then the last time the rear slid out I managed to catch it in time, guess it takes a bit of getting used to.
    Off for a night training ride now.
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    Funny that after the Nov and Dec we had you're asking about Grifos and not FMB Super Muds or Rhinos...

    Secretly I wish it was Sept again...
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • cyclingsheep
    cyclingsheep Posts: 640
    FransJacques wrote:
    Funny that after the Nov and Dec we had you're asking about Grifos and not FMB Super Muds or Rhinos...

    Secretly I wish it was Sept again...

    I'm not making any secret of it....bring back the sunshine

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