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Which Adds MORE resistance? Width or Weight?

BurlyShirley

Rex Grossman Will Rise Again
Jul 4, 2002
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Perhaps resistance isnt the best term to use, but which would slow you down more, weight or width of a tire?

For instance, lets say I had a 500g tire at 3.0 vs a 800g tire at 2.15, extreme examples I know, but which would detract more?
 

Tenchiro

Attention K Mart Shoppers
Jul 19, 2002
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I would bet that the weight be more obvious when accelerating, but a heavier tire would have more momentum and keep you going longer.

I would think that tire compound and tread patterns would have more of bearing on the speed of a tire than the width though.
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
BurlyShirley said:
which would detract more?

Being a pussy and dragging the brakes.


Rotational weight kills you in acceleration.

Surface drag kills you in everything but obviously more of it provides traction, possibly keeping you on the bike.

Pick one.

Luckily I can't think of a case that fits your scenerio of smaller tire being a heavier tire.:clue: At least if we're talking just dh tires here.
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
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The 2.1 will slow you down more because you'll get more flats. :D

Interesting question and I don't know the answer, but it's a theoretical question that you won't see too much in the real world, because for a given tire (same knobs, sidewall, etc.) a bigger size will be heavier.

But some thoughts: Remove the variables and sssume you're talking about the same knob size, tread pattern, air pressure, tube or tubeless set up. The bigger tire will have a bigger contact patch, so probably more rolling resistence. But the weight difference will have an impact on effort needed for acceleration, and ability to retain momentum. The heavier tire with a smaller contact patch may be harder to get up to speed but should hold momentum and roll better. The lighter/bigger tire may feel more snappy in acceleration but more sluggish due to higher rolling resistence and less ability to keep momentum. Or maybe I'm just talking out my butt.
 

sanjuro

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Sep 13, 2004
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kidwoo said:
Luckily I can't think of a case that fits your scenerio of smaller tire being a heavier tire.:clue: At least if we're talking just dh tires here.
I can think of one example: the Weirwolf 2.3 Team FR at 860g and the Weirwolf 2.5 Race at 760g.
 

SilentJ

trail builder
Jun 17, 2002
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Calgary AB
I would think that it depends on the track...on something like A-line, the skinny heavy tires would probably be faster, but if you were on a track that had you decelerating and accelerating all the time, the lighter fatty tires probably would be faster. :think:

Someone go and fill some 2.1's with sand and put them against a something like a Michelin 2.8... do it.
 

BurlyShirley

Rex Grossman Will Rise Again
Jul 4, 2002
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The real world example im think of is that

A Weirwolf 2.5 weighs LESS than a Nevegal 2.35, but Im wondering if the width of the tire would negate the weight savings?
 

Secret Squirrel

There is no Justice!
Dec 21, 2004
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BurlyShirley said:
The real world example im think of is that

A Weirwolf 2.5 weighs LESS than a Nevegal 2.35, but Im wondering if the width of the tire would negate the weight savings?
Hmmm....interesting...Is the Nevegal the folding bead or the wire?...cause the casings are pretty beefy on those particular Kendas....but the WTB's seem to be a little lighter in the sidewalls and beads...at least that was my experience with the tires in my garage...
 

BurlyShirley

Rex Grossman Will Rise Again
Jul 4, 2002
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Secret Squirrel said:
Hmmm....interesting...Is the Nevegal the folding bead or the wire?...cause the casings are pretty beefy on those particular Kendas....but the WTB's seem to be a little lighter in the sidewalls and beads...at least that was my experience with the tires in my garage...
Both are the folding bead, XC models.
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
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Sanjuro, don't those weirwolfs have different casings, and (less sure) knob depths? Not really the same tire are they?

Burley, you'd have to look at durometer and the rolling resistence of the different treads to really know. Pretty sure the kendas are softer, and will roll slower (but grip better, and give better braking traction.) Also, different companies measure differently and WTB lives by it's own weirdness. The Kenda 2.35 may be just as wide as the 2.5 WTB. It's as wide as a Maxxis 2.5.
 

Bicyclist

Turbo Monkey
Apr 4, 2004
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There are too many variables to say which one makes a bigger difference in terms of rolling resistance. For instance, knob spacing and compound. Just run whatever is grippier for your conditions.
 

BurlyShirley

Rex Grossman Will Rise Again
Jul 4, 2002
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Im not TRULY concerned, I was just curious if this scenario had been thought out, and what people would have to offer. I'll pick the best tire in terms of tread for any given scenario, regardless of wieght. A full pound to me, is negligable, as I weigh nearly 200 myself.
 

Changleen

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Jan 9, 2004
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BurlyShirley said:
Im not TRULY concerned, I was just curious if this scenario had been thought out, and what people would have to offer. I'll pick the best tire in terms of tread for any given scenario, regardless of wieght. A full pound to me, is negligable, as I weigh nearly 200 myself.
It's depend a lot on the pressure you ran than at too.
 

sanjuro

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Sep 13, 2004
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OGRipper said:
Sanjuro, don't those weirwolfs have different casings, and (less sure) knob depths? Not really the same tire are they?

Burley, you'd have to look at durometer and the rolling resistence of the different treads to really know. Pretty sure the kendas are softer, and will roll slower (but grip better, and give better braking traction.) Also, different companies measure differently and WTB lives by it's own weirdness. The Kenda 2.35 may be just as wide as the 2.5 WTB. It's as wide as a Maxxis 2.5.
The tires are much different. The heavier tire has reinforced sidewalls (I have both kinds in the 2.3 versions). I think you are right about the different tread patterns on the different widths as well.

I think the question of weight vs width simplifies the matter too much. There are so many factors with tire selection that only two is not enough for a good comparison.
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
sanjuro said:
I can think of one example: the Weirwolf 2.3 Team FR at 860g and the Weirwolf 2.5 Race at 760g.

those aren't even the same tires and you know it.:hot:


Burly........weirwolfs are REALLY good at packing up with mud. Like if you want a tread pattern that looks exactly like what you're riding on when it's wet.....go for it.

It rains where you live. Get the nevegals yo.

But if you do decide to get a wierwolf, I've got a stack of every size and variety made that I'd be happy to sell you.


for christ sakes...it depends on the track.
I think it depends more on Jesus' mood that day. Have you been good?
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
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SilentJ said:
for christ sakes...it depends on the track.
What if it's a trail, not a track? Huh?

Burley, do what I do: Constantly scourge the earth looking for the best combination of sidewall strength, tread pattern, durometer, width, and volume for your constantly changing and diverse riding environments, and never be completely satisfied. :help:
 

sanjuro

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kidwoo said:
those aren't even the same tires and you know it.:hot:


Burly........weirwolfs are REALLY good at packing up with mud. Like if you want a tread pattern that looks exactly like what you're riding on when it's wet.....go for it.

It rains where you live. Get the nevegals yo.

But if you do decide to get a wierwolf, I've got a stack of every size and variety made that I'd be happy to sell you.




I think it depends more on Jesus' mood that day. Have you been good?
I didn't know. The fable of my omniscience is destroyed.
 

coma13

Turbo Monkey
Feb 14, 2006
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god forbid you happen to venture off said track, trail, path, freeway, etc... then the sh!t really hits the fan!!!
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
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kidwoo said:
I still maintain it though.............when it's dark..............I'm alone...............I need something all powerful to talk to.................




That's when my lips softly mumble......"sanjuro"
Oh man that is creepy. I approve!!