Thinking about tyres having replaced mine in the last few months, what are the thoughts on having a cheaper control tyre for classic events?

Whats a control tyre? Everyone has to run the same tyre?

Edited January 23, 20251 yr by faussy

yes, preferably a much cheaper one with slightly less grip so we can ease the sections back a little too

I personally would be for that. Trials is comparative, so who cares if we are all running £140 michelins or some cheapo glorified trail type. I even think trialgp needs taken down a step via tyres, but that idea isnt exactly new. The problem is trying to convince the prima donnas of your class who will scour the end of the earth for every last ounce of performance. If you even suggest they will only be able to ride up a 3'11'' step as opposed to a 4', they will tell you you are ruining the advancement of the sport

3 hours ago, teamferret said:

Thinking about tyres having replaced mine in the last few months, what are the thoughts on having a cheaper control tyre for classic events?

@ teamferret Which Championship are you speaking of , I say this because a control tyre would only be seriously considered by an oganisation such as the ACU or AMCA  for higher level events and in this situation they would have to pick from tyres that were already in production and based on what you are suggesting then they would probably be choosing  between a MITAS or PIRELLI to meet your preference of a  budget tyre as other alternatives that gave less traction than a MICHELIN or IRC such as MAXXIS and HEIDENAU would be too expensive. As far as riding at club level is concerned as Faussy said there are control tyres already in place and as such the clubs use different levels of severity of sections in their events to give a fair chance in competition  to people with differing skill levels. If you are struggling to pay for good tyres perhaps you should search out some part worn cast offs from a supported rider .I have bought plenty through the years to use for practising some have been almost like new but half the price. Having a spare pair of cheap wheels means you can keep your good wheels built up with your expensive new tyres and use them only for competition while you use part worn or cheaper tyres for practising.

I have a new back tyre about once a year, and I've never changed a front in the time I've owned each bike. So in effect I'm spending about £160/year on tyres. That's the least I've ever spent on tyres in any of the motor sport disciplines I've indulged in. For the moment, I'm perfectly happy with that. If ever someone came out with some super-trick tyre that only lasted a couple of trials or cost £500 a pop, I would definitely want to re-address that.

Something I've never quite understood is why all trials tyres have exactly the same tread pattern. Is there some long-standing rule somewhere that defines a trials tyre? Or has it been shown that that is the best solution to the problem? I would have thought an enduro/motocross pattern would be better in mud, though probably worse on rocks. When you look at something like X-Trial, I could imagine there being a benefiting using slicks.

If you’re competing there are usually rules. Page 8: https://www.acu.org.uk/Uploaded/1/Documents/2023 Library/Trials-Standing-Regulations-2022-v5-2112.pdf

4 hours ago, trapezeartist said:

 

Something I've never quite understood is why all trials tyres have exactly the same tread pattern. Is there some long-standing rule somewhere that defines a trials tyre? Or has it been shown that that is the best solution to the problem? I would have thought an enduro/motocross pattern would be better in mud, though probably worse on rocks. 

 Yes.

Rather than a control tyre, give the experts early start times and reduced time to complete the course.