Best tyres for loose sand

[The MTBer]

The Spez Butcher is a full on Downhill tyre. I am on Maxxis Ikon up front (3c) and they work surprisingly well, yes sometimes I do a 2 wheel drift around the corners, but that is fun! You will never get grip in sand, doesn't matter what tyres you run! Try a softer compoud (racing compoud) for more grip.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

The Spez Butcher is a full on Downhill tyre. I am on Maxxis Ikon up front (3c) and they work surprisingly well, yes sometimes I do a 2 wheel drift around the corners, but that is fun! You will never get grip in sand, doesn't matter what tyres you run! Try a softer compoud (racing compoud) for more grip.

The only thing that makes a tyre into a DH tyre is the casing. That's it. 

 

Otherwise, the only difference is the level of grip and rolling resistance you get, as well as the characteristics due to size (volume) and rubber (stickyness) The Butcher is just a tyre that is USED in DH. And Enduro. And Trail riding. Even XC, if you're not concerned about weight and grip is your primary objective. 

 

 

So no. The Butcher is not "a full blown DH tyre"

 

It's a tyre that has great grip, is not best used at the back unless you're not concerned about rolling resistance AT ALL or are riding in wet conditions. It has multiple casing types, which you would choose to suit your conditions and riding style (lightweight casing = control; heavyweight casing = Grid) and is used across ALL disciplines except Marathon and XCO, primarily due to the extra weight of the tyre. NOT because it's "a full blown DH tyre"

[s14phoenix]

I weigh 81kg not counting the much needed Camelbak which full weighs probably another 3-4 kg I guess. On a 650B would you go much lower? I also don't want the dreaded snakebite. 

I would try 1.5-1.6bar in front... Tubeless 2.35 MM - high volume casings can carry lots more than some other brands with their narrow casings. Typically the Contis and Maxxis volumes are smaller than Schwalbe.

 

When I was 80kg I think I ran my Hans Dampf @ 1.6bar front without issue.

 

The only tyre I ever really broke was a Racing Ralph in 2.2 and I immediately decided XC race skinny racing ralphs where not suited to my style - it took all of 15min to wreck it  - maybe bad luck but never had issues with my 2.2 - 2.4 rears.

 

The WTB Vigilante is good but I think the Mary is just that bit stickier than anything else I have tried...

 

I am actually waiting for my fresh Magic Mary and Rock Razor combo...

[Goosebay]

Sand can be fun, we have a lot of it in summer.

 

The lighter you are the easier :-)

 

You don't want aggressive grip, worn tyres seem to work best, with as low a pressure as your normal riding will allow.

 

Keep the weight back - keep your front end floating over the sand esp if it is very soft, and try and keep your speed up, once you bog you are toast.

 

Avoid excessive movements with the handlebar - any aggressive move will get the tyre to penetrate the surface - you want to be on top and floating (and no silly comments here please)

 

If you are not pedaling around a corner drop the inside foot and skim the sand with it - helps with confidence and easier to countersteer if the front suddenly grips.

 

If in a sandy rut - stay in the middle, don't try and climb out

 

Hope this all helps

[Grey Hubs]

Modders at this time of the year is typically sandy and sketchy. If you don't notice that, you're not pushing hard enough

 

Not sure a tyre selection will completely stop you from loosing the front, but I use 2 different front tyres:

1. X-King 2.4 (on AC WL wheels) at 1.5 bar

2. Maxxis Ardent Race 2.2 at 1.6 bar (new favorite)

 

Perhaps what makes a difference with these tyres are AC wide Lightning wheels. I think the width definitely gives me more grip.

 

Keep the pressure on the front and angle the bike in the corners to get grip.

 

Doubt there is a 100% proof tyre, but that's what makes it exciting...

 

 

OR wait for the first rains. All of a sudden there will be TONS of grip compared to now...

[Shangri la]

I weigh 72kgs and run Rocket Rons on wide lightning at the front at about 1,6 bar.

 

No burping or washout. Must say the combination has totally changed my attitude to sand

 

... what sand!!

[s14phoenix]

YES PLEASE bring on the first rains... I got a certain score to settle at my local trail too...

[arendoog]

Any wider tyre that has a strong sidewall so you can go to lower pressures will help .Keep the bike straight .Weight in the middle and cut the corner .I very seldom will try and turn in sand with any tyre .As soon as it rains at modders ,your problem will become a different one

[s14phoenix]

Any wider tyre that has a strong sidewall so you can go to lower pressures will help .Keep the bike straight .Weight in the middle and cut the corner .I very seldom will try and turn in sand with any tyre .As soon as it rains at modders ,your problem will become a different one

 

  its not called Modders for nothing... that sticky black putty REALLY SUCKS!!!

 

I nearly had a wipeout during the Varsity College race on the downhill bit with the S bends through the trees... Front wash - so I had to go full MOTOX almost sitting on the upper tube inner leg out drifting the @$$ around...

 

almost needed a proctologist

[Goosebay]

OK so don't know Modders at all - I assume it is loose sand that is lying on hard park,  so want your tyre to go through and grip

 

then aggressive tyre pattern and weight forward and you should go through and find the elusive grip.

 

If it is thick sand where there is no bottom then my earlier comments apply - weight back, float the front and no sudden directional changes with the front wheel.

 

Either way enjoy the slides - sometimes you hold them sometimes you don't :-)

[EmptyB]

I don't know of any tyre the grips well in loose sand whilst cornering....

 

WTB Vigilante has saved my arse a few times though!

[nonky]

The "Wing and a Prayer" model from Celestial Tyre Industries works GREAT for me on sand.

[JXV]

Sand can be fun, we have a lot of it in summer.

 

The lighter you are the easier :-)

 

You don't want aggressive grip, worn tyres seem to work best, with as low a pressure as your normal riding will allow.

 

Keep the weight back - keep your front end floating over the sand esp if it is very soft, and try and keep your speed up, once you bog you are toast.

 

Avoid excessive movements with the handlebar - any aggressive move will get the tyre to penetrate the surface - you want to be on top and floating (and no silly comments here please)

 

If you are not pedaling around a corner drop the inside foot and skim the sand with it - helps with confidence and easier to countersteer if the front suddenly grips.

 

If in a sandy rut - stay in the middle, don't try and climb out

 

Hope this all helps

+1....there you have it from someone who clearly has ridden a lot in sandy conditions.....

 

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Riaan373]

I ride modders a lot and it is very loose at the moment. I run Conti Rubber Queen up front and Mountain king rear and I rate it as a awesome combo.

[Tony datoy]

I also ride with a 2.35 Magic Mary on the front and 2.25 Nobby Nic on the rear.

Very impressed with the setup thus far.

 

I have only done one ride on them so far but very impressed with Magic Mary 2.35's on the front. 1.7bar.

 

Loved the sure-footedness.

[Harryn]

I would also look at running a lower pressure up front. Try 1.6 bar.

What do you recommend for the back?