Cutting comp 16's

[banj]

I'm tired of my comp 16's (2.5's) folding over on hardpack so I'm going to cut down the side knobs. Did a search and didn't find much. Acadian says to cut them down 1mm on the sides. Only a mm? A mm's nothing, I was thinking of cutting down the side knobs to 2/3's there original height to give the tire more of a rounded profile along with hopefully keeping the knobs from folding over.

Any other advice or experience with cutting them down?

[John P.]

The only time I've ever seen Comp 16's cut was to help them in muddy conditions, and it was done by the Michelin guys themselves.

For hardpack, the 24's are the way to go. IMO, trying to get a 16 to work great on hardpack is like trying to ride a DH bike on an XC trail: techincally, you can do it -- and if you modify it enough, it will eventually ride decent -- but there are much better tools for the job.

-JP

[A.P]

Some michelin guys do goop/epoxy type glue on the sideknobs, use a fresh tire and smear the goop in the channel that runs the height of the sideknob.

Ive seen it last quite a while, and ive seen it fall apart quickly.

The 16 isnt great for hardpack anyways, so maybe consider a different tire (Maxxis dhf) which works good for that.

[FCLinder]

Dude, Comp 16s are not for hardpact condition riding. Get a set of Comp 24s and leave the 16s alone for when you need them in the softer conditions. Also my want to look into a set of Comp 15 semi slicks.

My 2 cents....

[banj]

I understand the comp 16's aren't good for hardpack. That's why I'm asking the question.

The thing is I'm not just riding hard pack. The trails I ride have a little bit of everything. For the most part I like the 16's, I just think with a little bit of tweaking to the corner knobs I could keep them from folding over when cornering on hardpack and make it a better all around tire.

[819]

Not to be an ass and push some other product, but there are a slew of other comp 16 nock offs out there that have an almost identical tread but with lower profile nobs (Highroller, Hutchenson octopus). Why not give one of those a try.

[banj]

You are an ass Matt! Ha.

I have tried the highroller, they weren't bad, haven't tried the octopus though.

Oh well, I guess I'm not getting much help here in terms of cutting the 16's. Guess I'll have to do a little experimenting myself