Tire Pressure and Snow

[giodog2000]

I couldn't imagine driving with my 315 rear setup as they would float over the snow all the time. Even if I ran it at 10psi, it wouldn't be as good as a narrow tire right? So we all agree narrow is better in this case. In mud for example, we want the exact opposite cause we want to float rather than sink. I can see a certain logic to inflate so that the tire stays narrower. As an Enduro rider , we deflate because we want the tire to FLEX over uneven structure so that it can grab whatever it can and create GRIP. There is not much to grip on cold asphalt so I don't really see the need to deflate lower than the recomended psi.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by giodog2000

I couldn't imagine driving with my 315 rear setup as they would float over the snow all the time. Even if I ran it at 10psi, it wouldn't be as good as a narrow tire right? So we all agree narrow is better in this case. In mud for example, we want the exact opposite cause we want to float rather than sink.
I can see a certain logic to inflate so that the tire stays narrower. As an Enduro rider , we deflate because we want the tire to FLEX over uneven structure so that it can grab whatever it can and create GRIP. There is not much to grip on cold asphalt so I don't really see the need to deflate lower than the recomended psi.

No, your 315 summer performance setup will not perform at any pressure.

But if you had a winter tire compound and tread pattern, you could get good performance in wide profiles. Narrower is not always better, it depends on how the tire is designed to provide traction.

[giodog2000]

Originally Posted by JCL

No, your 315 summer performance setup will not perform at any pressure.

But if you had a winter tire compound and tread pattern, you could get good performance in wide profiles. Narrower is not always better, it depends on how the tire is designed to provide traction.

I was referring to 315 winters for comparison. ( lol I know my summers would;t work that well no matter the size )

[Jungerishere]

I have to disagree with you regarding that there is a little difference between narrow winter tires and wide winter tires. I have two sets of dedicated winter/snow tires. 275 & 315 on 20s (tires are year old) and 255 on 18s (tires are 5 years old). I can tell you for certain that my X becomes unsettling with wider setup in mid to deep snow. I’m plowing through the snow with wider tires instead of cutting through. And on uneven patches of snow, X would often aggressively shift side to side with wider setup. I switched back to narrower 255s as I feel 200% more confident in deep snow than the wider setup even though I love the look of the wide setup on 20s.

Originally Posted by JCL

No, your 315 summer performance setup will not perform at any pressure.

But if you had a winter tire compound and tread pattern, you could get good performance in wide profiles. Narrower is not always better, it depends on how the tire is designed to provide traction.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Jungerishere

I have to disagree with you regarding that there is a little difference between narrow winter tires and wide winter tires. I have two sets of dedicated winter/snow tires. 275 & 315 on 20s (tires are year old) and 255 on 18s (tires are 5 years old). I can tell you for certain that my X becomes unsettling with wider setup in mid to deep snow. I’m plowing through the snow with wider tires instead of cutting through. And on uneven patches of snow, X would often aggressively shift side to side with wider setup. I switched back to narrower 255s as I feel 200% more confident in deep snow than the wider setup even though I love the look of the wide setup on 20s.

Depending on what the wide tire is--in deep snow you are correct, the wider tire will be pushing more snow and be more likely to sit on top of it. There are exceptions to that rule depending on the tread patterns but if the tires are the same just different widths, the narrower tire is more likely to perform the best in deep snow.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Jungerishere

I have to disagree with you regarding that there is a little difference between narrow winter tires and wide winter tires. I have two sets of dedicated winter/snow tires. 275 & 315 on 20s (tires are year old) and 255 on 18s (tires are 5 years old). I can tell you for certain that my X becomes unsettling with wider setup in mid to deep snow. I’m plowing through the snow with wider tires instead of cutting through. And on uneven patches of snow, X would often aggressively shift side to side with wider setup. I switched back to narrower 255s as I feel 200% more confident in deep snow than the wider setup even though I love the look of the wide setup on 20s.

I can see that. Ruts, or overly wide tires such as 20", will not cause tires to perform as well but on packed snow wider is not such an issue. And on the icy surfaces we get here, wider is often better since there is more lateral grip,

Are your 20" tires the same tread compound and rubber compound as your 18"?