What are your experiences with tires on trails getting sidewall damage? I know a lot of folks reduce the tire pressure to get more traction. Initially, it went against logic for me because I figured, with less psi in tire, sidewalls would be weaker and more susceptible to damage.
Well last weekend I scouted a trail for a local club run for this weekend. A couple of weeks ago I had pulled of my load range E, M/Ts & installed a bargain set of used A/Ts. They are 4 ply tread & 2 ply sidewall & load range D, so they're capable of 65 psi with a 3k load on each tire. I'm running 30 psi. We have a lot of very sharp lava rock here in Central Oregon in places and this trail had it's share. The pucker factor increased as the sharp rocks seemed be multiplying while negotiating the obstacles. I was pleasantly surprised when I got back to the pavement. Scuffed sidewalls, but no cuts or gashes. In one instance, I got out and found why I couldn't turn my wheels to the right. The right front tire was jammed into a good sized rock.
Now I'm beginning to think that sidewall strength, as well as traction, may be enhanced, on tires with flexible sidewalls by dropping the pressure. To illustrate my point, if you take a balloon and blow it up until it's full, it's very easy to pop. Take that same balloon, and only fill it 1/2 full. It takes a lot more effort to pop it.
And yes, I'm aware that tires and balloons are very much different. But, I think in this aspect, maybe they're not so different. At least in the concept.
There's always that hazard that's out there, that no matter what tire you're running, it'll slash your sidewall. Usually it's something hidden or at least very difficult to see.
I searched before starting this thread and couldn't find any that talked strategy and performance for different styles between A/T and M/T sidewalls. Just info like M/Ts perform better in mud and A/Ts are quieter and usually allow better fuel mileage. Some tires have 4 ply sidewalls while others just have 2 ply. 4 ply sidewalls would seem to give give better protection, but not flex as much. They'd handle weight better, but that's the only advantage I can see. Any other opinions or learning experiences that you'd care to share?
Well last weekend I scouted a trail for a local club run for this weekend. A couple of weeks ago I had pulled of my load range E, M/Ts & installed a bargain set of used A/Ts. They are 4 ply tread & 2 ply sidewall & load range D, so they're capable of 65 psi with a 3k load on each tire. I'm running 30 psi. We have a lot of very sharp lava rock here in Central Oregon in places and this trail had it's share. The pucker factor increased as the sharp rocks seemed be multiplying while negotiating the obstacles. I was pleasantly surprised when I got back to the pavement. Scuffed sidewalls, but no cuts or gashes. In one instance, I got out and found why I couldn't turn my wheels to the right. The right front tire was jammed into a good sized rock.
Now I'm beginning to think that sidewall strength, as well as traction, may be enhanced, on tires with flexible sidewalls by dropping the pressure. To illustrate my point, if you take a balloon and blow it up until it's full, it's very easy to pop. Take that same balloon, and only fill it 1/2 full. It takes a lot more effort to pop it.
And yes, I'm aware that tires and balloons are very much different. But, I think in this aspect, maybe they're not so different. At least in the concept.
There's always that hazard that's out there, that no matter what tire you're running, it'll slash your sidewall. Usually it's something hidden or at least very difficult to see.
I searched before starting this thread and couldn't find any that talked strategy and performance for different styles between A/T and M/T sidewalls. Just info like M/Ts perform better in mud and A/Ts are quieter and usually allow better fuel mileage. Some tires have 4 ply sidewalls while others just have 2 ply. 4 ply sidewalls would seem to give give better protection, but not flex as much. They'd handle weight better, but that's the only advantage I can see. Any other opinions or learning experiences that you'd care to share?
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