Sharp knobs or compound?

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rockchomper
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rockchomper
Edited Date/Time 10/6/2020 8:23am
Had a thought whilst driving home yesterday, what has more grip for longer? Maxxgrip or Maxxterra? Before replying read the rest! So nice sharp square knobs have a huge part in creating grip but soft compound does as well. Here is where the thinking begins would it be better to get a Maxxterra tire because the knobs will stay sharper longer meaning more grip for longer or is compound so important that even a Maxxgrip compound with worn rounded knobs will still grip better. So essentially what is more important for grip Sharp knobs or compound?
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Falcon
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Falcon 10/6/2020 3:25pm
10/6/2020 3:25pm
A bald tire will still have grip on smooth surfaces, as long as the compound is soft enough. I say it depends on your surface. If you have loamy, loose dirt, then a sharp edge is more important. Harder, smoother dirt is the domain of soft compounds.
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Jakeepooh
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Jakeepooh 10/6/2020 5:55pm
10/6/2020 5:55pm
Falcon wrote:
A bald tire will still have grip on smooth surfaces, as long as the compound is soft enough. I say it depends on your surface. If...
A bald tire will still have grip on smooth surfaces, as long as the compound is soft enough. I say it depends on your surface. If you have loamy, loose dirt, then a sharp edge is more important. Harder, smoother dirt is the domain of soft compounds.
Man, I sure hope that's true because it makes so much sense I'm gonna start parroting it and acting like I either came up with it or it's so obvious any true hard-core rider would know it.
bulletbass man 10/7/2020 7:34am
10/7/2020 7:34am
Falcon wrote:
A bald tire will still have grip on smooth surfaces, as long as the compound is soft enough. I say it depends on your surface. If...
A bald tire will still have grip on smooth surfaces, as long as the compound is soft enough. I say it depends on your surface. If you have loamy, loose dirt, then a sharp edge is more important. Harder, smoother dirt is the domain of soft compounds.
So long as it has some life on the cornering knobs. I feel the softest compound tires tend to lose those almost as fast as the braking knobs. Max terra or black chili or some of the softEr but more durable compounds will bald but still retain some knob life. Which makes them much more useable in the long term than max grip or softest compounds of some other brands. However no matter if they are brand new rubber that isn’t soft enough will always suck.
rockchomper
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rockchomper 10/7/2020 8:27am
10/7/2020 8:27am
Falcon wrote:
A bald tire will still have grip on smooth surfaces, as long as the compound is soft enough. I say it depends on your surface. If...
A bald tire will still have grip on smooth surfaces, as long as the compound is soft enough. I say it depends on your surface. If you have loamy, loose dirt, then a sharp edge is more important. Harder, smoother dirt is the domain of soft compounds.
Logically that makes sense and I think I agree, it seems like on hardpack surfaces and rock faces soft compound would be more important but in soft sandy loose or loam knobs are gonna play a bigger role. Sounds like terrain is the deciding factor.
rockchomper
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rockchomper 10/9/2020 3:22pm
10/9/2020 3:22pm
I've been testing and I think the best combo for he has been Maxxgrip front and Maxterra rear.
It grips very well and the front and rear wear at about the same rate. I just wish maxxis made the DHR2 DH casing in Maxxterra! It does seem that knobs play a bigger part than compound on the loose trails I ride. Cali can be so sandy Im finding the longer the knobs the better they stop because they act like a paddle. Good to hear others feel the same way!
Pedal4life
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Pedal4life 10/9/2020 3:23pm
10/9/2020 3:23pm
I thought(and please excuse me if this statement is incorrect)Maxxis 3C tires like a MaxxGrip tire only has the soft grippy compound in the upper portion of the tread not all the way thru and that whats underneath that softer compound is very hard, so my vote goes towards sharp edges no matter what terrain.



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