I didn't even know there were different compounds.

 

We could do Olmstead in one direction and then turn around and do it the other way. I really wish we could find a way to link Olmstead and Quarry. That would make for some fun.

How about Stagecoach + Clementine?

 

There is a way to link stagecoach and quarry (and it is legal) but it involves some riding on 49 down to the quarry entrance (pge trail). I can ask the mechanics at Mikes exactly how to to do it - one of the guys down there does that ride (or did) regularly. I did it once a LONG time ago but I want to say that the trail we rode was supposed to be for horses only.

I'd be down to do stagecoach and clementine - I know Randy doesn't want to ride the confluence trail though (I guess he's afraid of dying or being maimed or something) so maybe he could sit it out. We could also try to figure out a new route up there - I know if you ride UP the hill from the parking lot where we parked last week and take a side trail from it, it pops you out on Foresthill road by the bridge (You don't go down through the tunnel). Is there a trail besides stagecoach that drops you down from foresthill bridge to the bottom of the canyon?

 

durometer for rubber

40 is soft
60 is harder

http://mtbtires.somee.com/

my DTC (dual tread compound) are 50 and 60

 

You rock, dude, thanks.

 

I saw a fireroad just before the bridge (when heading towards Foresthill) that looked like it dropped down to meet Stagecoach somewhere. It's probably the one at the bottom that went straight along the river instead of u-turning and heading up Stagecoach. But I could be wrong...

 

no worries.

always in search of a better tire

TPI (threads per inch) has to do with the side walls. I think higher numbers (120) mean softer side wall, and therefore lighter, but not as strong tires.

 

Here's a wiki on the durometer scale. It looks like automotive tires are measured with the Shore A model as well. So that makes a lot more sense to me now.

Lance - do you know what kind of ratings one would want in a winter tire? I'm assuming a softer compound would be the way to go since it's colder and you would want a softer compound that would compress or indent easier under such conditions. Not sure though - what do you think?

 

You've been hanging around Snot Picker too much.

 

lol whatever. I just googled "shore a tread duromter "

 

Well the softer compound will grip like the devil go you by one leg...but, they wear out faster. I would say the softer compound would be better for winter for better grip, but don't quote me on that. That also excludes mud.

There apparently aren't much DTC tires around yet. Mine are nice, but a little slow rolling in the 2.35 size. I think in the 2.1 they would be much faster and still have the grip.

I've been looking pretty hard at the NN's and BB's (big betty) from Schwalbe. The BB's are 2.4 and would no work on you bike, but the NN's (nobby nic) may be a good way to go. http://schwalbetires.com/node/176/ok

I think most places will have to order them though. There is a place in Grass Valley that can do it, but maybe some place closer to home like Natomas Bikes can order as well.

 

I'm liking the look (and price) of those velociraptors. I'm gonna hit Mike's on the way home tonight and see what they have in stock there, then compare them and probably buy Wed or so. After I slid to the inside of the corner and hit the hillside on connector last weekend, I'm not riding this weekend without a new set of tires.

I like the specialized rollx tires also, but they don't look like their tread patterns would be as good in muddy conditions as the velociraptors, and really, the wtb tires on my bike right now have been awesome.

 

If you can't get tires before this weekend, just switch your fronts and rears and you'll be fine.

 

I don't trust that rear tire. I dorifto'd that turn big time - I'd be really afraid of it on the front

 

Oh, hey, Lance, here's some info on the NNs from mtbr wheel/tire forum. They're just talking about the tire, some combos, the snakeskin model, etc. http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=258139