Siping

Twebba · Post by **Twebba** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 11:39 am

After my first trail ride (and plenty of daily driving) I'm ditching my Maloya's.
Hurray!

While I've found the latest "New Tires" thread very informative, I have some questions about siping.

A little backgraound:
Discount Tire here in Colorado performs a procedure where they can "sipe" your tires by cutting them from side to side.
Here's a link for those unfamiliar with the process: http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tireSiping.dos
BTW - They fully warranty the process and the tires.

We have done this on our 'normal' passenger vehicles with outstanding results - especially on glare ice.

So on to the discussion:
First of all, is this just a bad idea for off-road tires?
If so, what types of problems would it create? I imagine the main concern is when deflated and on the trails. (?)
Any input on this topic is appreciated. – Thanks !

Twin Pinzies · Post by **Twin Pinzies** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:37 pm

Don't sipe your tires for off-roading. They'll fall apart quicker. I also don't ever reccommend driving a pinz on icy roads; no ABS brakes, high center of gravity, no crumple zones, etc... The Pinz's only downfall is operating on snowy/icy conditions.
Nothing (but nothing) beats a Subaru for icy roads! Keep your pinz alive!

Twebba · Post by **Twebba** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 1:48 pm

Unfortunately, I don't have a choice. I must drive on ice in the winter with my Pinz.
I live in the foothills outside Denver and our dirt road becomes a snow-packed ice slide from mid-October until April
- Which is why I'm looking to do the siping. If it's the only safety feature I can add, then why not?

Most of my driving will be city/hwy commuting with the occasional off-road trail run.

By "fall apart" - do you mean they will wear faster, or they will literally shred apart on the trails? Was this already discussed before the forum crashed? If so, does anyone know someone who did the siping and had a bad experience?

Twin Pinzies · Post by **Twin Pinzies** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:54 pm

Any time you take a solid rubber knob and cut it all up, you'll compromise the longevity of the tread. In your case, it sounds like siping is your only hope to feel "safer" on ice with a pinz. Good luck! Call me first when you part-out your wrecked pinz. Ha, ha, ha...

KINSPINZ · Post by **KINSPINZ** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:15 pm

Tweeba!! thanks for going this weekend it was a blast. And great driving. I run the BFG MT's and will probably still run them. But elect not to sipe my tires. My vehicles before the pinz hated the ice and snow, so i think the pinz does fairly well. Like someone said not as good as my subi

. Anyway my tires are munched, tore and worn from the rocks

. After you see my tires you wouldnt sipe yours. I beat them up plus run really low PSI. even if you dont abuse your tires like mine my .02 is not too.

Mike

milesdzyn · Post by **milesdzyn** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:32 pm

Herb thats a little harsh...Besides I need a roll bar

Tweeba...If you sipe your tire and use them off road they will likely chunk out a lot easier. You have a tough situation, You may want to go with a good snow / ice tire, they should still have enough tread to function for off road. Either way you are comprimising unless you have two sets of tires.

Good luck, Miles

lindenengineering · Post by **lindenengineering** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:44 pm

Hey Twin Pinzies, I would'nt denigrate the Pinz in icy/snowy conditions completely.

Several years ago when our shop was down Hwy 85 we had one of those sudden violent blizzards that Colorado gets from time to time. Traffic stopped and we kept working until the snow stopped at 7.00pm. The conditions were treacherous I commandered a Pinz and drove home. I was a great experience with only a few adventerous souls out with their big foot trucks. At the Littleton light this Dodge pick up spun wheels on the green and I left them for miles until they caught me up at Kipling Parkway.
As I glanced left the passeneger was mouthing out of the open passenger window "What is that 3#@$%^ thing!.

Of course there was that famous blizzerd three years ago where nothing rolled except Pinzies pulling people out of their neighbourhoods and medical staff to work, a great job done by that volunteer force.
Just several reasons why I have great respect for this truck.
Dennis

Twin Pinzies · Post by **Twin Pinzies** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:50 pm

I'm spoiled. I purchased Mattracks for one my 710m's. Now it looks and acts more like a snowcat than a 4x4! Again, I feel that the handling characteristics of a pinzy on ice is pretty scary!

Twebba · Post by **Twebba** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 12:03 am

Thanks to all for the words of wisdom. It does help.

Mike, I had a great time too. (I posted a small 'thanks' in the trail section)...I've been leaning toward the BFG's - it was nice to see a few others on the trail with them.

It sounds like it might be a bad idea, so I'll probably forego it for now and see what the winter brings. If I start looking like a penguin on it's belly out there, I may just need to chain 'er up to do our road (that would be a real bummer).

~ TW ~

P.S. BTW guys, the handle is twebba not tweeba (rhymes with rubber, not rebar)

hehe