[erikkellison]

Well, I am taking a break from working on the tire. I have one half done, but I shudder at the thought of finishing the other half. However, since I will be done in the near future regardless, does anyone (who has done the "popular" cut) have an advice on an efficient way to cut the knobs besides using a utility knife? I want this to be a bit easier the next time I attempt it Thanks!

 

[DrewS]

what are you doing?

 

[RD]

go to Radio Shack and make yourself a hot knife.

 

[erikkellison]

There are two different types of side knobs on this tire. One is a solitary knob, the other is a pair of knobs that are sorta connected. I am cutting off the inner knob on each pair.

 

[skyst3alth]

What's this supposed to do? I have a 24.1, wondering what the benefits are

-Adam

 

[skyst3alth]

Could you point out the specific knobs too? It's a long break with not a lot to do at work

-Adam

 

[erikkellison]

Okay, I finished. I guess you just have to figure out the fastest and most accurate way to cut each knob (since cutting the knobs on one side are different from cutting the same knobs on the other side because I'm not ambidextrous).
Now explain the hot knife to me I'm sure it would stink, but it might make this easier next time.
As far as which knobs to cut, here's a pic that Acadian made (I think he made it, he posted it numerous times)

PS
I figure that leaving just a tiny lip/edge on the braking side is a good way to go, but I guess I'm being picky if I'm being that careful about my cutting. Otherwise, just cut the thing clean off.

 

[erikkellison]

Oh yeah, the benefits. This will allow the tire to work better in looser/muddier conditions without affecting rolling resistance much (like I care about that ). As it is stock, it is pretty much a hardpack-only tire. Now I can roll it on the loamy dirt that I ride along with the slick rocks and roots. And for the record, I'm running it in the rear only. The Comp 16 is going on front, and I'm not planning on cutting that one at all.

 

[Acadian]

I use flower shears to trim most of my tiers...works great!

 

[Kntr]

It looks more like a highroller pattern now.

 

[zedro]

yeah this was suggested to me in one of my whiny tire rants. I havent gained the courage to start the 500 knob shearing process tho...

 

[Acadian]

yeah this was suggested to me in one of my whiny tire rants. I havent gained the courage to start the 500 knob shearing process tho...

try it...works great Z. I trim all my tires, even the Comp 16's 2.5" - BUT I mostly trim the front tires and rearly do the back one.

 

[Kntr]

What is there to trim on the 16?

 

[Fonzie18]

I should start cutting the knobs on my tires maybe I will go faster.

 

[ioscope]

I concur

 

[Acadian]

What is there to trim on the 16?

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1156457&highlight=Comp#post1156457

 

[Skookum]

i think this whole is just a kooky wild idea Acadian drudged some morning while shaving his mug. Now it's out of control and everyone is gonna be shaving knobs off their tires as a fashion statement.
*digging around for tin snips and old Weirwolfs*
yes i know i'm such a poser....

 

[1000-Oaks]

Does anyone (who has done the "popular" cut) have an advice on an efficient way to cut the knobs besides using a utility knife? I want this to be a bit easier the next time I attempt it Thanks!

Here you go! Cuts like butter.

http://www.secureperformanceorder.com/afcostore/getproduct.cfm?CategoryID=1&ClassID=11&SubclassID=39&ProductID=3618

 

[erikkellison]

Awesome.

 

[BadFastard]

Oh yeah, the benefits. This will allow the tire to work better in looser/muddier conditions without affecting rolling resistance much (like I care about that ). As it is stock, it is pretty much a hardpack-only tire. Now I can roll it on the loamy dirt that I ride along with the slick rocks and roots. And for the record, I'm running it in the rear only. The Comp 16 is going on front, and I'm not planning on cutting that one at all.

just bought a cut tire off a friend.
Can't be fuct spending my evenings cutting tires.
I think it's all between the ears, at least on amateur level.
Have a look at Intense Edge tires, it's basically a mod'ed C24.

As to hardpack: I ride my C15 (2.5 Front reverse) and C24 (Rear Reverse) in all but the heaviest mud. They never let me down. Didn't fail on me in australian dust, french hardpack, german wet roots and rocks.

There was a time when i was very picky on my tires and would ditch 'em at the first hint of knobs ripping. Now i can't be fuct and ride them untill they're too cooked to make a proper turn. Michelins have a certain moment in their life when they become a bit sketchy: when the outermost knobs start tearing out, away from the center of the tire. At that point they are a little understeered. I used to toss 'em out then. Now I keep riding them and after a few runs, they're again equally great.

I like maxxis High Roller ST 2.4 Front and Rear too, but michelins have sharper steering.

 

[buildyourown]

So many companies are making good tires now. Maxxis, Michy, Kenda. I find it hard to believe that it makes sense to buy a perfectly good tire and cut it all up. Maybe some of you guys are just bored. Understandable. I also understand that some of you ride specific tires based on sponsorship. However, it doesn't rep you sponsor very well if you have to cut all your tires to get a good one.

 

[Jeremy R]

So many companies are making good tires now. Maxxis, Michy, Kenda. I find it hard to believe that it makes sense to buy a perfectly good tire and cut it all up. Maybe some of you guys are just bored. Understandable. I also understand that some of you ride specific tires based on sponsorship. However, it doesn't rep you sponsor very well if you have to cut all your tires to get a good one.

Every racing sport out there that uses knobby tires, from moto to Rally, also trims them. It is just a part of racing.
All companies do it. Michelin, Maxxis, Intense, etc..... whatever can be done to give their riders an advantage.
Take the 2.5 Comp 16. It is a great tire that sheds most mud well. But this year at Snowshoe, we had shin deep mud to deal with, and normally only a small mud tire will work there, which slows me down. So Michelin cut the middle knobs in half on my 2.5 and it cleared mud all the way down the hill allowing me go faster than if I was running a mud tire.
So yeah, it does rep them well, when they get their bright blue hat on the podium. That is what they are there for.

PS As far as trimming the tires, the very best thing I have found was a tiny pair of Craftsman End Snips. Get the smallest one because if fits inbetween the knobs easier. It requires a little more effort though, because the handle is short. No matter how you do it though, cutting knobs off a tire is a chore.

 

[bizutch]

Reviving this thread because I've had 2 inquiries about how to do this in the past 2 weeks. Plus...the link to that tire cutter is worth it's weight in gold.

 

[Salami]

:love: Thank you!!!!

 

[Fury]

Just finished cutting a Comp16. I use this:

 

[bizutch]

end cutters work better just so you know bro. promise

 

[Fury]

I've been looking at those, I just happen to have a pair of diagonal cutters so I haven't bothered getting the end cutters.

 

[fatguysmiling]

end cutters work better just so you know bro. promise

I agree. Got a set in my tool box, cut both of my comp 24's last year and love it (I say that like I can tell the difference...teehee!!). I just wanted to feel semi-pro for a bit of time.

Simon

 

[BadFastard]

just bought a cut tire off a friend.
Can't be fuct spending my evenings cutting tires.
I think it's all between the ears, at least on amateur level.
Have a look at Intense Edge tires, it's basically a mod'ed C24.

As to hardpack: I ride my C15 (2.5 Front reverse) and C24 (Rear Reverse) in all but the heaviest mud. They never let me down. Didn't fail on me in australian dust, french hardpack, german wet roots and rocks.

There was a time when i was very picky on my tires and would ditch 'em at the first hint of knobs ripping. Now i can't be fuct and ride them untill they're too cooked to make a proper turn. Michelins have a certain moment in their life when they become a bit sketchy: when the outermost knobs start tearing out, away from the center of the tire. At that point they are a little understeered. I used to toss 'em out then. Now I keep riding them and after a few runs, they're again equally great.

Update: I now used the cut tire for about 5 days on rocks, mud an wet roots. Maybe the modification is not intended for this use but I don't feel any difference.
Yes I'm just an amateur, so prolly not good enough to feel the difference -although i do feel a lot of difference when switching to a High roller, or to a new rubber.Or the whole thing is just a good april fools.

In any case you won't find me spending time cutting tires. Stock works for me. I'd rather spend the same time riding. Makes me a better rider than cut tires.

 

[Jeremy R]

I've been looking at those, I just happen to have a pair of diagonal cutters so I haven't bothered getting the end cutters.

Hey Fury, that cut you made on the comp 16 is the best one I have ever done. You can actually run that tire like that instead of a mud tire when its really nasty.
The best thing I have found is a small pair of Craftsman end snips. They can fit right up against the tire and work well. The only downside is that the handles are short.
Oh yeah, and cutting tires is right up there with taking cough syrup on the list of things I hate to do.

 

[Jeremy R]

best tool for cutting michie tires is needle nose tip gardening shears.

We too, have a Martha Stewart.

 

[prerogative]

This is what I use, Channellock 10in. Large End Cutter Pliers:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?in_merch=1&storeId=6970&productId=200308947&R=200308947

with tire deflated and/or off rim

 

[CBJ]

Just cut my first 24.1 - thanks for all the info.

 

[Salami]

Oh yeah, the benefits. This will allow the tire to work better in looser/muddier conditions without affecting rolling resistance much (like I care about that ). As it is stock, it is pretty much a hardpack-only tire. Now I can roll it on the loamy dirt that I ride along with the slick rocks and roots.

I know this an old thread but I have a few questions before I cut up a good tire.

How does the tire perform in dry and hard pack conditions after the cut? Would a Comp 32 front and cut 24.1 rear be a good combo for mostly dry, tacky conditions with some wet areas? I am trying to sort out my bike for my trip to Whistler next week and will have a couple of extra tires with me in case condtions change a lot or I damage a tire.

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

man at the old shop i used to work at we had a razorblade clamped in a pair of vice grips and a torch we heated it up with til it was red hot, man that thing cut through anything...and it was so much fun :devil:

 

[menachite]

Dremel tool and a cut-off disc or even a sanding drum have been my favorites so far.

Nothing like making the apartment smell like a big fat smoke show.

 

[erikkellison]

I would not cut a 24.1 for Whistler. I cut my rear tire so it would perform better in loose, loamy conditions. For whistler, I'd prefer the extra rubber for traction on smooth surfaces, which is what most of Whistler is made up of (bridges, hardpack and rock). I don't think the cut would benefit you that much on the bumpy trails such as Original Sin and No Joke.

 

[ioscope]

Unless it had been raining... which it hasn't.

 

[RaID]

Unless it had been raining... which it hasn't.

and it doesnt look like its going to rain for a while

 

[Pip3r]

Last year i did somewhat of the same cut, but instead of taking the knob off all the way i angled it down. It seemed to roll a bit faster than taking it all the way off, still have more open space to grip loamy stuff, and brake better when leaned over in corners.