[chipyting]

I've searched and couldn't find a definitive answer, maybe there isn't one.



So, I'm at the point where i'm deciding on whether or not to switch to the Shinko 428's, or just switch my front tire with the Shinko 244.



I live in Eugene Oregon and it rains here quite a bit in the fall/winter/spring and I ride to work almost daily. The stock setup has been ok, a few slips here and there. I read that the 428's do better on wet pavement than the knobbies. Now, I do like to go riding on forest service roads when it's nice, but am afraid they the 428's will be slippery on gravel/dirt roads. Are they really bad? I am a 80% street-20% dirt road. What's the best/safest combination, or is there one, because both are a compromise?



Thanks!

 

[small's]

If its dry they shouldnt be to bad but if it gets wet it could get tricky. The 244 is a nice tire and alot cheaper.

 

[Bagger]

Chip, I have zero experiance with the 428, but sure do like the 244.



For Street Use On the bigger (heavier) bikes, I like tires with large block tread (Dunlop EIII's) but, on these bikes that are lighter and don't exert as much downforce, I like lots and lots of edges/corners to interact with the road surface.



But then again, I have been accused of being completely full of crap too!



Bag

 

[Herc'sHepster]

I am interested in the answer to this as well.I still have lots of tread on my front since the bike has 1600 miles on it now (1000 put on my me

) but I will be in the market for a replacement soon with the amount of miles I am racking up. I would like to ride it to work this winter in Grants Pass Oregon, if possible. She is such a fun little bike to ride I think only ice will stop me from taking her to work. : )B

 

[qwerty]

Stay away from the 203/204 and similar tires for offroad. Great on pavement, suck on everything else. Suck really, reall bad in mud or on wet grass or wood. 244 and similar tires are an excellent compromise for on and off road. They actually work well on any surface.

 

[chipyting]

So the 203/204 type tires are worthless on a dry forest service type road too? I don't go up there when it's raining and muddy, I did once and found out it's very clay rich soil, sticks to everything. My knobbies were like slicks, they were so caked in clay. Had to walk the bike up a hill and use a stick to clean it out. wasn't too fun.

 

[TWBARR]

I have a pair of Shinko 428's on My bike. I do mainly 90% road and 10% off road (wooded trails, fields, and chasing cows and stray calves) I love these tires and at 5000 miles on them they still have great tread. They only thing I don't like is the handling on muddy trails and sandy ones the front tire tends to slide around. If I were to change anything it would be a better dirt/road front.

 

[chipyting]

So are they better on wet pavement than the stockers? That's what I'm concerned about more than anything.



Thanks everyone, this forum rocks!

 

[Woofhound]

nothing is good on wet pavement, just adjust your riding style for the wet and the stockers will be fine