Power Kite Forum

Ribbed Tire Significance

ChrisH - 8-2-2013 at 12:21 AM

Ok, I'm a newb with a couple years of experience....not going for speed records or racing and have no clue what my pb is and I don't really care. :shocked2:

I'm wondering if having slicks (much, much cheaper) would significantly effect my buggying on sand or grass. I ride on the grass during the Winter and sand the rest of the year. I would just use barrows on the grass but they're too short for my front fork, putting my ass and the downtube to side rail bracket about 1" off the ground. There's no way I can spring for disks, hence this thread. And yes, I have made all the adjustments to the buggy that I can to raise it up as much as possible. The seat is adjustable and the bracket is as high as it goes.

Any insight would be much appreciated! Thanks! :smilegrin:

shehatesmyhobbies - 8-2-2013 at 04:37 AM

I personally use slicks on the beach as well as the grass. It doesn't make a huge difference till you start reaching higher wind speeds. You can cruise around no problem in winds 25 mph and under and not get pulled sideways due to wind and kite power. I also like doing powered slides in the grass so using the slicks is a benefit for me. Others may have a different opinion , but this is mine.

cheezycheese - 8-2-2013 at 05:00 AM

Ribbed for extra pleasure... :frog:

beachrights - 8-2-2013 at 05:14 AM

See. I knew Cheezy was pervy! 1st he questions my use of my video sunglasses and now this!


I personally use "Magnum" tires!!:frog:


And you know I am just busting balls there Cheeze.. good clean fun...well actually dirty.

bigkid - 8-2-2013 at 11:28 AM

Chris check your U2U

And as far as ribbed or smooth, I dealt with that years ago, I don't use a rain coat.:D

ChrisH - 8-2-2013 at 12:21 PM

Yep, got it. Thanks Jeff!

And it seems this thread is going nowhere. Kids...:P

cheezycheese - 8-2-2013 at 02:11 PM

I've used ribbed..'er.....tires before. But I turn em inside out. Why should she get all the pleasure... :dunno::evil:

bigkid - 8-2-2013 at 02:26 PM

Chris, I couldn't agree more.

Someone once said "Kids will be kids, and so will a lot of middle-aged men, and a few of us old guys". Wonder who it was?:lol:


Besides the joking, this is a good question. The answer is relatively simple.


And the solution to your problem after I thought about it for a bit, is to have another downtube made. I would guess about 35-45 bucks. Send me the dimensions and I could whip something up for you, or now that I am remembering the bug, take the downtube for the small fork, to a welding shop and have them straiten it out a bit. cost about 10-20 bucks. Or send it with Sandflea to Sunset and I will take care of it.

sand flea - 8-2-2013 at 06:49 PM

Hey Chris
I get too much traction on the soccer fields with ribbed Beach Racer tires. It was like I was on rails, except when I was up on two wheels.


Im thinking about going to Sunset next weekend if I can help relay some parts

Chris C1

ChrisH - 14-2-2013 at 12:03 AM

Didn't see these last couple posts till now....sorry guys.

Jeff, that's a decent idea.....isn't there some rule about keeping the same angle or something? Thought I read that here somewhere. If not, I'd really appreciate it if you could do that for me. I'm thinking of coming out this Saturday, just for the day. The wind is looking good so far and only a 30% chance of rain, according to weather.com. I'll be watching the weather closely. If I come out I'll bring the fork with me.

Chris, I really appreciate it buddy! There's no way I could drive out to your place and not go the extra few miles to Sunset when the wind is kickin and the weather is decent, though! Hopefully the weather Gods will bless us with good wind and a little sun this weekend, I'd really like to see ya. It's been too long!

Thanks guys! :)

Cerebite - 16-2-2013 at 05:08 PM

I use a midi sized [18" OD] golf cart turf tire. They grip very well on grass but still break loose when "needed." Another advantage is that being a larger market the prices are cheapers [c. $35 each] and IIRC they are highway rated so should hold up for quite a while. I have not yet managed to wear the whiskers off of mine.

ChrisH - 20-2-2013 at 12:17 AM

Cerebite, do you have a link to the site that you get those from? I found some Nanco smoothies for something like 34$ a piece at tireseasy.com. I think that's it anyway. Not sure about shipping, though.

rocfighter - 20-2-2013 at 03:50 PM

I have a set of extreme ribbed tires. One 3/8 high rib on center of each tire. Holds a line a bit to much in high winds at low speeds. But I find that once I hit about 15mph or so I can break traction and at higher speeds I can scrub of speed pretty well. Plus friends always know when I'm on the beach:crazy::wow:

Cerebite - 23-2-2013 at 08:21 PM

It may not be the same site but it it's certainly similar:
Specialty Tires USA

Bmwbob - 19-3-2013 at 06:10 AM

SAMs Club has Greenball Greensaver treaded golf cart tires with the steel wheels for $41.42.
They are 18X8.50-8 tires, and normally mount tubeless on 7" wide rims.
I don't know if they would work on the PL narrower rims, but the price is good!
They also have Greenball smooth 18X9.50-8 slicks (no wheels) for $47.86.
Bob