School me on tire cutting

[Uzi]

I've seen some hill climbers running around with every other row of knobs cut out. One of my favorite riding spots here in Nebraska is pretty sandy but its national forest that doesn't allow full on paddles because they are worried about erosion problems I guess. I'm going to extend one of my 500's for running the drag hill there next spring and wondered if a few of the hill climbers here could give me some advice. What tool should I use? What tire do you guys recommend cutting up, what holds up the best? The Terra-flex? I have been running Maxxis Desert IT's would they do very well in cut up form? I've never cut a bike tire just looking for someone with a little experience.

[hagendog]

Peterson has a good pattern for the tera flex, ask him. I believe he removes the 2 middle and skips the next row which makes a big "paddle". He doesn't cut any on the sides. I am sure he has a photo. A lot of guys just run the M5B uncut and have got good results. I've seen them on open bikes and they rip. In the sand though probally the tera flex. I just happen to have one thats in excellent shape, you need one?

[lewisclan]

take a look at the 2nd tire from the top
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[lewisclan]

Razor blade / sawzall

[hagendog]

That's the one

[dannygraves]

DeWayne Jones uses a soldering iron with a wire loop attached, cuts the rubber like butter and allows for really clean cuts.

[lewisclan]

DeWayne Jones uses a soldering iron with a wire loop attached, cuts the rubber like butter and allows for really clean cuts.

now thats the hot set up

[Uzi]

Yeah the one like lewisclan posted is what I had seen posted up before. I am looking to get the most traction that I can without running an acutal paddle and that terror-flex looks like it would fit the bill pretty well. Slomas also said an uncut MB-5 is good stuff any other opinions on how it would do in the sand? I've never run one do they have a fairly open tread pattern? Off to find a picture of one I guess.

The area I want to use this tire in is very deep and usually very very dry sand would the extra weight of terra-flex translate into too much digging?

I don't get to ride much sand here in NE because there's just not much out here and I want to go back with the right tire next time way too much wheel spin on the last trip. I just wish they would let us run a real paddle so I could call skat-trac and be done with it.

Thanks for the input guys any other tips or tricks would be appreciated. I know you so-cal guys have more time in the sand than I could dream of.

Also hagendog is that terra cut or stock? I imagine the shipping on that heavy monster would be the deal breaker to get it out here to Nebraska. My zip code here is 68423 if you are really bored and want to get a quote I would try and work something out with you. Let me know.

[lewisclan]

http://www.mandhtires.com/store.php?crn ... how_detail

[iggys-amsoil]

I have heard these are pretty good for sand. Michelin Starcross MS2

http://www.bikebandit.com/product/3778

[ISBB]

Starcross should fit the bill..

[Uzi]

Yeah I do like the looks of that star cross but they don't offer it in an 18" least not that they are showing on bike bandit

[ISBB]

Both the pirelli and the michelin are 19's... hmmmm I have always had no problem runnin the sand with my desert it.. its a littler slippery in the back but not too bad..

[hagendog]

The tire is stock uzi with maybe 2-3 rides, I'll try and get to the post office and see tomorrow

[matth]

They all spin when you nail it anyway. I'd just be lazy and use what I've got on there already rather than go slicing and dicing.

Oh and I'm a newbie so be gentle cos my cr5 sure as hell isn't. It even made the guys on 2007 model 450s' look at it nervously. I just rode off with a satisfied grin under my helmet.

[Uzi]

The tire is stock uzi with maybe 2-3 rides, I'll try and get to the post office and see tomorrow

That would be awesome. Is there any issues with it hitting the chain since its so wide? Let me know what you find out on the shipping.