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Nobby Nicks....
Well I remember reading here that these tyres should be run contrary to the recommended direction (as per the tyre itself) and manufacturers recommendations. I have these on the front of my bike and have been running them conventionally ( as recommended). Does any one have anecdotal evidence or real evidence that running them contrary works better for this tyre.
So far I'm really enjoying it upfront...given me heaps of confidence on the bendz, great shedder and roll OK.
Love to hear your input.
Cheers
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It all depends what surface you are riding.
If you are riding loose surface.....Reverse fitted NNB. are definately more stable on the downhill. However I've found slow riding on rocks under brakes....it seems a little odd. Almost like tramlining under brakes on the down hill.
On loose surface downhill it is confidence inspiring. Soft ground like say Ourimba or Mona Vale Single track when it hasn't rained in a while, I don't notice much difference. All depends where You ride. There is another tread on this somewhere.....
thats my take on it. I ride a 26" anthem X. hammer down the cascades & duckholes as well as Manly Dam. I'm due to change tyres for the Scott 24.....not quite sure which way I'll mount it for that.....but down Skyline & luge.....If its dry.....I might go the correct way.
... just give it a try. It's only a few minutes work to swap it back if you don't like it.
Overall grip levels weren't much changed, but predictability close to the limit of grip was much improved. Far fewer confidence-sapping little oopses when cranked over hard in a corner on uneven loose-over-hardpack or tree roots. Weeelll thinking about it that probably does mean that traction was improved.
I was on the verge of chucking this tyre after a couple of lowsides, one of which resulted in a busted collarbone. Traction was great until it wasn't. Some days it would be great, others it would be fine too, until it suddenly dumped you on the ground. Not good for your confidence. A few guys on here (eg, Brian) won't touch them because of this. Since the change, 18 months later I'm still running it, and liking it.
I reckon they made a design mistake. Why would you orient the intermediate and shoulder knobs so that the *narrow* end points *into* the slide when it's on the ground? [slaps forehead] They're not the only manufacturer to do it either. Rubena's Kratos tyre is the same, and reversing improved it too.
As for tramlining riding slow on rocks ... yeah, noticed it at first with the NN but I thought it was really pretty minor, and being predictable you get used to and adjust for it easily. Now I don't notice it at all.
Better that than unexpectedly dumping you on your collarbone.
[/removes tyre geek hat]
Funny enough I just put a 2.25 on the rear, reverse rotation on Saturday.
Had been testing a set of super soft DHF's front and rear, and while they gave great grip, they were just too slow.
The NN's came from a Giant I bought awhile back. Hated them on WA's loose surface and switched after a few rides.
Overall, while they do give less grip than the grippiest tire out there, I think they are a great balance of grip and rolling resistance for WA's ball bearings, at least in reverse rotation. Was going to look at getting a 2.4, but they are quite big tires, so I'll keep the 2.25 and replace with a UST when it dies.
I have 2.4 NN on my current bike (Norco B2). Having never had a 2.4 tyre beforehand I would say they seem quite big. Maybe its a case of me getting used to them.
The tyre themselves are as when I bought them running as per directional arrow on the tyre with no problems at all. The only issue I had was over inflation.
I had problems initially with the transition, but I've since got used to them and haven't been bothered to try reversing them. Conditions here have steadily firmed though, but I was fine on them after a couple of rides when it was still quite loose.
There might be something of use to you in the following:
http://perthmtb.asn.au/node/41205