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Trials tires vs Knobbies

rebekahlynn

rebekahlynn

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AMA #2956245
Okay I know there are a ton of forums debating which is better but I can't find anything super recent, plus I'd like to hear from people I know.

I just bought a crf230f and it'll need new tires soon. (Stock?) Pirelli's are on it now, and I was looking at the Pirelli MT16 front/rear but then started reading threads saying trials tires are better than knobbies.

For background, I am a fairly proficient but not super fast dirt rider. I ride mostly Carnegie, sometimes Hollister, sometimes Stonyford. I am fond of mud riding.

So - stick with knobbies or try trials or do a mix of both?

thanks!! :ride
 
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Thanks for the input. I looked up that tire but it doesn't seem to come in the sizes I need. The crf runs a 80/100-21 on the front and a 100/100-18 or 110/90-18 on the rear.
 
I've heard Trials tires are not so good for the mud. I put a Pirelli MT 43 on the back of my drz and ran it @ 18psi. Great grip on rocks, soft dirt and slick wet stuff, but didn't ride any mud.

Have a Motoz knobby on the front, and with this combo it felt like the bike wanted to push in the corners, which is a common complaint. I thought it was the front, but due to the traction/side wall action of the rear Trials tire it made the front feel different.
 
personally I would just run knobbies especially if its supposed to be a wet winter
 
Keep you knobby up front or get a new one if worn out. Then a 4.0x18 rear trials tire will fit on your bike. I run a mt43 and I like it except for the super long steep downhills at carnigie, but my knobby slides almost as bad. Everywhere else it kicks ass with solid traction and wears like iron. I ride trails mostly and usually fast....
 
Dont bother with the trials tire on that bike. If you ride those places regularly you don't need it there and it will have more drawbacks than benefits. I doubt they make it in that size but the Dunlop AT81 is the best offroad tire at the time.
 
the mt16s are a great combo. they work everywhere,imo.
the rear trials tire won't brake very good.they dont work in snow or real muddy dirt. if your riding technical rock trails and single track they are awesome. p.s that trials tire will outlast the mt16 4 times over.
 
How many times are you going to be able to get out between now and Oct/Nov (when ever we start getting some moisture)? If not many just stick with a knobby.

A trials tire last forever, you will be r&r it multiple times before it is wore out. I've got 1500 miles on a MT43 still looks new.

MT43 seems like the gold standard for trials tires. The Equilibrium looks promising and only recently seems to be widely available.

Getting used to a new bike and style of tire, is probably going to be more difficult. I'd stick with a knobby.
 
[QUOTEPirelli MT 43 on the back of my drz and ran it @ 18psi][/QUOTE]

OMG! Trials tires need very little pressure.

I run no more than 8 psi, and since running TUBLISS, usually around 5 psi. Thats how you get the benefits.
 
But, but, but....knobbies just look soooo fu€king sweet...and trials tires are ugly as shit!!!:rofl:twofinger
 
I run trials tires on my trials bike :p and it never ceases to amaze me with the traction. I've got an mt43 going on the cr250 as soon as I get off my butt and put it back together.
 
Just run a regular knobby on that bike. Dunlop MX51/52 or Bridgestone M404/X30 would be fine.
 

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I can't really seem to tell the difference with tyres until i fall down...

That said, my TM has trials tyres front and rear and they are pretty amazing. I've never ridden it with knobbies, so i actually don't know if it be da tyres though.
 
An AT81 with tubliss is the best of both worlds. There's a reason Factory KTM offroad team runs them
 
Cool thanks for all the input guys! I think I'll stick with knobbies - and I'm probably going to go tubliss as well :teeth
 
I've been running the Sedona MX887IT rear with Tubliss at 6psi and love it. Cycle Gear sometimes has the Sedona on sale for ridiculously cheap, something like $35 - $40 if I remember correctly. I'll usually stock up and buy a few at a time. For the money they are the best tire I've found. Hook up nicely and wear really well.

The Tubliss set up can be tricky. Don't believe how easy it looks in the "how to" videos that they put out there. The tire they are using is probably the softest compound available so it stretches real easy for mounting.

Have someone that knows how to install Tubliss help you til you figure it out. It's easy to damage the inner bladder/tube when mounting/dismounting. I bought a few spare bladders/tubes (and used them) until I could do the tire changes without messing things up. Hang in there, once you get the tire changes dialed, Tubliss is absolutely awesome. Ridiculously low psi can be ran... even no psi. I used Tubliss on The Sheetiron 300, Reno 200, and at Pismo Dunes and had no issues at all. I now just carry a few tire plugs instead of a spare tube and all the tools to change a flat... big weight savings. :ride
 
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Different tires with affect the instalation. But, I have yet to have a hard time mounting them.

Be aware, that you are "supposed" to use only new tires with the TUBLISS. I have used an older tire with no problems.

Also, I don't know of anyone who doesn't have to air up inbetween rides. In fact, they can get so low sitting in the garage that they look like they are flat.
 
Yeah I was planning on buying new tires to go with the tubliss install. Does anyone know someone who will do the tubliss install? I can/will change street tires on my friends No-mar but I hate changing dirt tires. I called Honda Berkeley but the guy said they didn't have great success the few times they did them, so they don't do them anymore.
 
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