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Which tyres? Mud over tarmac Which tyres? Mud over tarmac
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 24 Dec 2008
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Which tyres? Mud over tarmac
Due to a slight argument between my Twingo and a badly reversing Toyota Hilux in the car park today, it looks like I'm going to become a winter rider for a while. Only thing is the roads all round me have that great combination of poorly maintained tarmac with an inch or more of tractor-spread mud across the top. The standard mixed Vee Rubbers, below, just don't seem to cut it on this, so I'm thinking about changing but I'm a total newbie when it comes to tyres.




Front : 90/900 x 21'; Rear : 130/80 x 17'

So any advice would be greatfully received before I smear myself across France.
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Old 24 Dec 2008
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Not sure of conditions there but
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Old 24 Dec 2008
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everytime i see that terra bike, the green eyed monster springs up! its a beauty!

have had similar problems with the cross city, and because of which chose not to drop my handlebars. I opted to change riding styles rather than tyres. Taking the weight off the handlebars, not touching the breaks or clutch, keeping my head up and counter steering (carefully) each corner.

that been said i did have an argument with a field that was being used as a car park the other week, although quite good at doing 'doughnuts' now.

take it easy and have a merry christmas mate!
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Old 24 Dec 2008
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The main problem I have is the road back up to my house, it's about 1:6 and covered in mud, the other day I practically had to waddle up the road it was so slippy. I'll be looking out for nobblier things after Christmas.

Tommy, sorry I promise not to post any more pictures, I doubt you'd want to see the other 47, would you?
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Old 25 Dec 2008
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I agree with Mollydog that the Conti TCK80 option is probably best for your requirement. I use Michelin SIRAC's on my XT6E but I guess these are too road orientated for you? The TCK's are mid-way between onroad and offroad tyres whereas most others (like my SIRAC's) are one or tuther. I think my Sirac's are very good allrounders but they really are 75% road 25% (mild)offroad tyres. The TCK's are nearer 50% road, 50% offroad.
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Old 31 Dec 2008
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An inch of crap over road? You're stuffed.

I did an enduro a few years ago on an old airfield, the track crossed a couple of service roads very lap. Crap over road. Everyone was running MX tyres. I saw a faller every time I lapped. Any gas, any braking... and you're on your arse.

So, MX tyres, slicks, it doesn't matter.
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Old 31 Dec 2008
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[quote=Bronze;220702]Any gas, any braking... and you're on your arsequote]

You forgot steering :-)
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Old 31 Dec 2008
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An inch of crap over road? You're stuffed.
Only some of it's crap, most of it's mud, but I wasn't going to mention that.

Of course now we've had a cold snap and so it's all frozen solid, mind you that's not too bad as it's lumpy and so seems to provide far better traction than the smooth black ice covered main roads.

If it stays cold in a few days it'll have all powdered to dust and blown away, just in time for it to start snowing, no doubt.

So far luckily I've kept my arse off the road, at least while riding that is.
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