Tyre Compounds

iwilldoit

Hi All

How much difference is there in different tyre compounds, I have only been mtb ing for 6 weeks so I'm not pushing the bike hard, I've been reading about different tyres and the different compounds they come in, is there a big difference in them like what the nearly twice as much price tag suggests ?

I have ridden off road motor bike for year and have been getting my tyres off a 8 times british champion he tells me he doesn't like this tyre because it does this or that, as there a £10 a go and only been used for a few hours I will give them a go, and as I'm know where near his standard they seem fine to me and of course £10 instead of £80 helps me out a lot.

So to start off with are the ordinary compound tyres ok or am I better off going for the better compounds?

cooldad

Huge difference, between nasty hard plasticky and soft sticky rubber with a million tread patterns in between.
If your friend is serious, they are likely decent compounds.
If they work for you, use them.

iwilldoit

Hi Cooldad.

It's a shame my mate only has motorbike endure/mx tyres no mtb tyres wish he did.

Sounds like it might be worth biting the bullet and spending a bit more money.

cooldad

Aaaah. I see now. He's giving you MC tyres.

Depends what's on your bike now and what you need them to do.

Better quality tyres tend to have folding beads and are lighter as well, so worthwhile having decent tyres IMO, but there are so many out there and an equal number of 'what's best' opinions it's hard to choose.

I use the same tyres all year - whether they're are the best, who knows, but I know what they will do and not do, so I have confidence, which is more important than outright grip.

iwilldoit

Totally agree with the confidence thing if you not happy with what you have you will never ride properly, I have a Specialised Carve 29er and just riding XC and quite tame at the moment, but wouldn't want to end up on my head.