The Right Tire!
Tire Database Rider Handout
To prepare for the downhill season, we will need to consider our choice of tires very carefully. Using the right tire for the trail conditions will help you get to the bottom faster and in more control. Tire pressure is also very important and you will need to practice multiple runs at various tire pressure. With this in mind, I have prepared an activity that will help you make an informed decision about which tires to take to each of our races this season and what pressure you should run them at.
Activity #1 – Research
Over the next week, you will need to decide on four pairs of tires that you want to use this season. To do this, visit the web sites I have provided below. There is much to consider when making your choice. Please complete the worksheet at the bottom of this page during the research phase. You will need to make your choice and purchase your tires by next week. Please visit our sponsor Jack’s Bike Shop to make your purchase. All tires will be provided at dealer cost! Don’t forget to say thank you to Jack.
http://www.mountain-bike-buzz.com/mountain-bike-tires.html
http://downhilltires.com/index.php?id=27
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/downhill-tires-technical-2009.html
http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/mountain-bike-tire-buyers-guide/
To prepare for the downhill season, we will need to consider our choice of tires very carefully. Using the right tire for the trail conditions will help you get to the bottom faster and in more control. Tire pressure is also very important and you will need to practice multiple runs at various tire pressure. With this in mind, I have prepared an activity that will help you make an informed decision about which tires to take to each of our races this season and what pressure you should run them at.
Activity #1 – Research
Over the next week, you will need to decide on four pairs of tires that you want to use this season. To do this, visit the web sites I have provided below. There is much to consider when making your choice. Please complete the worksheet at the bottom of this page during the research phase. You will need to make your choice and purchase your tires by next week. Please visit our sponsor Jack’s Bike Shop to make your purchase. All tires will be provided at dealer cost! Don’t forget to say thank you to Jack.
http://www.mountain-bike-buzz.com/mountain-bike-tires.html
http://downhilltires.com/index.php?id=27
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/downhill-tires-technical-2009.html
http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/mountain-bike-tire-buyers-guide/
Activity #2 – Practice and Database
Now that you have made your selection, we will need to build our database. We will be using a Galaxy Tab to create our database. Please meet as a group and report on your selection. Enter your name and four tire choices in the database. Once you have finished that, it will be time to practice and log our track times for each tire and corresponding pressure.
At the mountain, one member of the team will stay at the bottom of the trail collecting times. I will drive the other members to the top of the course and radio each person’s start. The team member at the bottom will start and stop the clock and record the data as each of you finish your run. I will drive down and pick you up. The time keeper will rotate so that everyone can practice.
Before the race season kicks off in earnest, we will need to practice on two types of course and in three weather conditions. This seasons schedule has us racing on two main types of course: loose, rooty soil and fast smooth soil. Depending on the weather, these conditions may change and we will need to practice in dry, wet and muddy conditions. Please make sure you bring appropriate tires to practice.
Enter you data into the database at the bottom of this page.
Activity #3 – Prediction
We have four races this year. Two times we will be racing at Dry Hill in Port Angeles, once at Skibowl on Mt. Hood and the finals are at Steven’s Pass. Below is an explanation of the conditions to expect for each course. You will need to predict which tires you will bring and explain why you made your choice.
Dry Hill:
The trail name is White Knuckle and for good reason. The top of the course is mostly hard pack soil that rockets you down at a steep grade. There are a number of large doubles each finishing into well cut and somewhat choppy berms. Much of the course is fast and flowy though there are two very steep, rooty sections that require commitment and little braking. There are two races here this season: one early and one late. Port Angeles is notorious for rain.
Skibowl:
Mt. Hood is a lift assisted ski hill that doubles as a mountain bike park in the summer. This year’s course will be fast, very fast. The course starts in the trees with many roots criss-crossing the trail. There are many large jumps and when the course exits the trees on to the ski slopes and cat tracks, the soil becomes loose and rocky. This mid-season race is normally dry, but you never know when the rains will come.
Steven’s Pass
Another lift assisted mountain, Steven’s Pass will finish the race season. The finals were held here last year as well under bright blue skies and a blazing yellow sun. The trail is often dry and dusty with loose gravel in sections. There are two bike swallowing rock gardens and any number of large doubles.
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