Power Kite Forum

tires

BEC - 21-3-2012 at 02:38 PM

/Users/bruceclarke/Desktop/Hi-Run Rib Tire, 16 x 6.5 - 8 - 0303131 | Tractor Supply Company.webarchive

I'm hoping that works and you can see the picture or link. These are on sale for about $110.00 for all three. Do you think this would be a good choice for upgrading to midis and getting rid of the barrows. (flexifoil buggy with both short and wide axel) What can I expect from this different tire as far as ride goes. I thought these would help me at WW this year to be able to stay on the beach a little longer, but I will be running them mostly in huge horse pastures for the rest of the time.

shehatesmyhobbies - 21-3-2012 at 03:12 PM

Bruce, I think this is what you were looking at, if not send me the right url and I will post it for you


Tires

shehatesmyhobbies - 21-3-2012 at 03:20 PM

If so,, these will get you a little further on the "soft" stuff, that is what several people use. Heck, fly like Danny, he goes all over with the barrows! :lol: He does have mad skills!

ChrisH - 21-3-2012 at 03:32 PM

They say that you'll slide more on grass so you won't be able to hold down as much power. For sand and dirt, though, they should be great. I'm going to midi's as soon as I can afford it.

I found these for $19.75 a piece. Under $20 to ship to my door so for less than $80 you've got midi's! They are 4 ply, not 2 though. Don't know if that makes a huge difference or not.

http://www.cedarrapidstire.com/category/7372/for-a-complete-...

BEC - 21-3-2012 at 04:47 PM

So let me get this straight....The barrows I have now will be better on grass with less sideways pull and the wider (midi) wont be as good if grass/fields are generally 90% of my fun . If this is true I shouldn't be getting any tires till the ones I am running (barrows) die.

Looking to be better prepared for WW this year.

BeamerBob - 21-3-2012 at 04:59 PM

Riding on grass and sand, you might never wear out a set of tires. But yes, the increased surface area reduces bite and will cause the tires to slide more on grass. You could argue that they are a better choice on sand though for a bit more flotation and side traction.

BEC - 21-3-2012 at 05:50 PM

Wow! This whole time I thought that more surface area would result in less sideways pull. So I guess what you are saying is...If you are only going to the beach once or twice a year...stick with the barrows and use my money to buy more kites.

DAKITEZ - 21-3-2012 at 06:10 PM

also the midis will create more drag on grass. Thus you will need a bigger kite to accomplish the same speed than if you were on barrows.
I ran big foot lights on grass a few times but the increased drag was so great I pulled them off and went back to the barrows.

Rule of thumb is big tires on soft sand beaches ... and everywhere else barrows.

hiaguy - 21-3-2012 at 06:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BEC
Wow! This whole time I thought that more surface area would result in better sideways pull. So I guess what you are saying is...If you are only going to the beach once or twice a year...stick with the barrows and use my money to buy more kites.


+1 for any reason to buy (and afford) more kites :roll:

markite - 21-3-2012 at 07:40 PM

For soft sand you want as much contact area as possible however the shape of the tire also comes into play. A softer rounder profile tire will give you a better float on the sand and it'll roll over sand - the midis are wide so you do gain footprint in width on the tire but the profile is more square on the shoulder so the tires tend to push sand a little more - almost plowing it so they feel slower and heavier.
There are times when they might give you a little better chance of riding vs not riding at all with barrows so that's a plus. But if it's solid enough on the beach to run either tire the barrows will then be faster.

ChrisH - 21-3-2012 at 08:31 PM

Any thoughts about 2 ply vs 4 ply tires?

BeamerBob - 21-3-2012 at 08:33 PM

4 ply when you can. 2 ply when you have to. It's just for longevity.

ChrisH - 21-3-2012 at 08:35 PM

Sweet, thanks!

DAKITEZ - 21-3-2012 at 08:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ChrisH
Any thoughts about 2 ply vs 4 ply tires?


In most cases people will almost never wear out a tire on grass or sand. I would think the advantage of a 4 ply would be a little more puncture resistant than a 2 but I am not tire expert.