I have always run with tubes inside Carlisle slicks at Ivanpah. I am installing new bearings, tires, etc. now and I was thinking about going tubeless this time.

Anyone had problems with 8" tubeless Carlisle slicks in the desert?

Steve.

Why run slicks? If the pull is from the side of the buggy, wouldn't you want some tread to resist that pull, especially on the dusty/grity surface?

I will have to bring some spring scales and do some pull tests to see which has the greater coefficent of static friction, slicks or treaded tires.

Steve

I'm no expert by any means, but I say slicks give more traction on the hard surface.

Just look at nascar cars, draggsters, etc ... slicks

with that said the tires I just mounted up are grooved

I have the slicks on my bug now and might leave them on and bring the new sets for back up, but I don't know how much life they have ... their slicks Does anyone now how to tell if your slicks are getting close to the end without it looking like ripsessions

Quote:

Originally posted by DAKITEZ I'm no expert by any means, but I say slicks give more traction on the hard surface. Just look at nascar cars, draggsters, etc ... slicks

But imagine a dragster on a dry lake bed, or better, imagine covering a dragster track with grit and dust. I can't imagine the tires working near as well. The slick would be in contact with the grit/dust that slides ontop of the hardpack.

I'll bring the scales to NABX...

Steve

it depends on how loose the top surface is. If its got enough loose stuff there then the tread would help push it aside and increase the psi pressure of the tire on the grippable surface where the tread mashes through the loose stuff. If however the surface is more like pavement because the loose stuff was blown away by the wind, then my money goes on slicks having more grip. I love tests like this! :duh: I'm such a geek though.

I can only speak for myself, but I prefer the slicks on the lakebed in order to get a little more slip. That surface has a lot of grip to it, making scrubbing a bit trickier. Then again I guess just like most any other kind of set-up, it depends on what kind of riding one wants to do.

I would think that grooved tires would provide less slip. It'll be interesting to see the results of some actual testing though.

I personally like slicks on the lakebed too. There is plenty of traction and I find the slicks very controllable when you are in a slide and scrubbing speed. I'll bet the groved tires are harder to control when the bite changes as the texture of the playa changes.

Anyway, back to my original question, Tubes or not?

Smoothie or Ribbed?

i personally like Smoothies, they have a harder compound than the ribbed. also i've found at high speeds you can really feel the ribs that you're running on. (from pic, i had to unpack the bag to take this - both tires have NEVER been mounted on a rim)
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/ripsessionkites/Misc/P...
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/ripsessionkites/Misc/P...
youll notice that the smooties have a flatter surface and the ribbed a curve.
i like have a little bit of slide when the smooties build up a little dust. that little bit of slide helps kick out the rear of the buggy to slow down, IMO.

when you're going full speed forward, will you ever notice any side slip from running a smoothie or ribbed? probably not.

if you have minimal side slide with the Ribbed Tires, wouldnt your buggy feel trains on a rail? so when you slow down you would have to use more kite than buggy slide.
if you kicked it into a highspeed turn you would flip over.

Tubes or Tubeless?

i run with tubes for the simplicity. i blow a tire, and i just need to change the tube and the tire. takes only 10 - 15mins to change a tire.

dealing with tubeless ... it sux. maybe if you had your tools, an air compressor, and a tire belt sure i would go tubeless.

lets ride!, cant wait to see the gang at NABX. going through withdrawal now. *i've stopped counting the days, and flying too ... time should start flying now*

What's the next question, WHAT PSI is good for the desert?

24- 26 PSI - running on Tubed / Smoothie tires on Plastic Rims.
:wee:

Hey Sailors,
The difference between tube and tubeless tires is in the bead and how it sits on the rim.
Out here we typically use tubeless tires and put tubes in them.
Not with normal use, but suppose a horrendous side slide, at speed...
Want to worry about your tire maybe popping off the rim?

So we run tubes.

I can not tell any practical difference between the ribbed and smooth implement (NOT slicks) tires.
Just because a tire does not have tread cut into it, does not make it a slick.
Slicks are a flat profile tire with square shoulders.
Smooth Implement are just that, standard round shoulder wheelbarrow-type with no tread cut.

Because of the great grip on the playa surface, tread simply removes some of the rubber from contact with the surface.
Dragsters use slicks for the initial surge off the line.
Buggies are more interested in side-grip.

Kites will always exert some downwind force on a buggy, lifting the upwind wheel marginally and reducing its grip.
Flat profile tires, on the upwind side, would loose some of their contact with the ground, reducing grip and consequently, the potential upwind angles would be slightly reduced.
Rounded shoulder tires would not loose contact surface but might loose some grip from the slight reduction of pressure on that tire.

Tire Pressure: The greatest component to rider comfort is tire pressure.
Softer is smoother.
Also slower.
Hard is fast.
Rougher ride too.

I like mid to high 20's (psi) in my rear tires
I like low to mid 20's in my front tire.

There will be many compressors about in Buggytown.
Please do not take my suggestions as gospel.
Experiment for yourself.

Find Yourself - Loose Your Mind.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

good info Corey - thanks!