Tyre choice for adventure riding? (Mixing road and off-road)

**Woodman** · 5th April 2009, 08:32

Originally Posted by Oscar

$130 20 Demerits...

How many demerits now before you are walking? I mean total for anyone not just you.

**blackballs** · 5th April 2009, 08:47

FYI

http://www.mitasmx.com/shop/index.ph...uct_list&c=new

**Oscar** · 5th April 2009, 09:46

Originally Posted by Woodman

How many demerits now before you are walking? I mean total for anyone not just you.

100 (or in my case another 60)

**warewolf** · 7th April 2009, 16:58

This tyre, a Michelin Competition III road-legal enduro tyre, was in good shape, but maybe 30% worn at the start of our ride last Saturday (Maungatapu, Mt Altimarloch, Mt Patriarch return). The tread blocks were all present and square, just not at full height. It was destroyed in <500km, at road pressure 29psi. The trouble started with the Maungatapu cutting it up. Then the narrower intermediate knobs were ripped off at the base. Drive and especially braking deteriorated noticeably during the day.

The tyre was manufactured in 2001, so it was a bit old, dry and hard - at the trail ride the other week it was rather unyielding - I don't know if that contributed to its sudden demise. Anyway, it seems for rocky roads an open-pattern tyre is not a good idea. Mitas E-07 is a likely next choice, I will be very keen to see if it grips as well as lasts better. Nordie's recent tests on the Maungatapu would suggest so.

I nearly used this tyre on the Dusty Butt; glad I didn't! Although a new one might survive the day.

**junkmanjoe** · 7th April 2009, 19:24

my set of E-09's arived to day.

guess ill pop them on for a few rides coming up on calendar.

just in case it rains.....

**Underground** · 7th April 2009, 19:58

What did you do on the Maungatapu on the way home WW ? it wasnt looking that bad when you left us

**Padmei** · 7th April 2009, 20:16

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

my set of E-09's arived to day.

guess ill pop them on for a few rides coming up on calendar.

just in case it rains.....

Let us know how you find the front... You could sell all those toy cars & buy another bike for wet days

**NordieBoy** · 7th April 2009, 20:27

Originally Posted by warewolf

It was destroyed in <500km, at road pressure 29psi. The trouble started with the Maungatapu cutting it up. Then the narrower intermediate knobs were ripped off at the base. Drive and especially braking deteriorated noticeably during the day.

At that pressure the carcass isn't able to flex enough to allow the base of the knobs to move around much so all the energy is applied to the knob itself.

The bigger knobs of the MT21/TKC80 have the strength to handle the higher pressures better.

Well that's what looking at those pics says to me anyway

**warewolf** · 7th April 2009, 21:05

Originally Posted by Underground

What did you do on the Maungatapu on the way home WW ? it wasnt looking that bad when you left us

Yeah it was. That's why I wasn't keen on going home via the Whangamoas, with the higher speeds and severe cornering. I figured the slower speeds on the Maunga would be better, if harder on the tyre.

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

At that pressure the carcass isn't able to flex enough to allow the base of the knobs to move around much so all the energy is applied to the knob itself.

That's probably the answer. Max pressure on that tyre is only 32psi - relatively low.

**Woodman** · 7th April 2009, 21:11

32psi is low??

What pressures do you guys run on your tyres,?? I run about 25 front and rear on e09's.

**cooneyr** · 7th April 2009, 21:12

Originally Posted by warewolf

This tyre, a Michelin Competition III road-legal enduro tyre, was in good shape, but maybe 30% worn at the start of our ride last Saturday (Maungatapu, Mt Altimarloch, Mt Patriarch return). The tread blocks were all present and square, just not at full height. It was destroyed in <500km, at road pressure 29psi. The trouble started with the Maungatapu cutting it up. Then the narrower intermediate knobs were ripped off at the base. Drive and especially braking deteriorated noticeably during the day.....

Must be the rocks up your way. The ride that we did between Xmas and new year just been I gave a Michy Desert a really good working over in about 300kms. Deserts are suppose to be tough right? The Mitas E-09 is lasting much better. Maybe there is some truth to Nordie's comments, wider knobs are better (oh-err) for rocky terrain.

Cheers R

**junkmanjoe** · 7th April 2009, 22:00

Originally Posted by Padmei

Let us know how you find the front... You could sell all those toy cars & buy another bike for wet days

them toy ferrari cars are worth over $500 u.s.a dollars each.
pocher, diecast, 1/8 scale.

**warewolf** · 8th April 2009, 09:42

Originally Posted by Woodman

32psi is low??

For the tyre's specified 'maximum inflation pressure', yes. Dual-purpose tyres are often 40-ish psi, road tyres can be well above that. A quick google shows DOT-knobblies like this one are often low-to-mid thirties.

Originally Posted by Woodman

What pressures do you guys run on your tyres,?? I run about 25 front and rear on e09's.

Varies. Spec on the 640A is 21/29, I tend to run a couple psi more in the front on-road as it feels a bit too soft. 18/24 for adventure work usually, which works on-road too. -2psi either end for gnarly stuff, but that's far too squidgy on-road. With a grippy enduro front tyre I can get away with 22psi even in the snotty stuff.

**Woodman** · 8th April 2009, 21:15

ordered a Michelin t63 today, I love the e09s but the mitchy is cheaper and looks similar. It will be interesting to compare the two when I get it on.