The Smooth vs Knobby BMX Tire Debate Finally Answered!

In today's Tech Thursday, powered by: epic-bmx-online... Phu Vu (@_epicbmx) gives us: The Smooth vs Knobby BMX Tire Debate Finally Answered! The tires covered in this video are the Cult Crew Fast and Loose, Demolition Hammerhead, and GT Smoothie! Slick, Smooth, Knobby, high air pressure or low air pressure. What are you guys into?
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[@imagesinla8575]

I just replaced those street tires with knobby tires on my bike. I ride mostly street nowadays, but I kept getting flat tires. I need the knobbys for more protection from those poking objects.

[@BBRRAAAAAAPP]

Get some maxxis dth and some good tubes at 50-65psi if you’re on a 26.

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

Animal tires. You shouldn't have to worry about punctures.

[@skizik6462]

You explained that perfectly the difference between the two. Thanks for all you do for BMX Phu and Alfredo

[@mywaveinwoodswoodperfumes]

I love it when i hear about bmx in professional way

[@AlfredoMancuso]

🙏🏻👊🏻

[@timothy.c2749]

I wish I had a bike shop like this

[@AlfredoMancuso]

You’ll have to visit one day!

[@timothy.c2749]

I would if I could but live in south afrika 😂

[@takeoverthewheel]

You can do it bro

[@bmxscape]

@@timothy.c2749 idk what its like in africa but i posted ads online to fix bikes a few years ago and a tonne of people were interested so now i basically own a bike shop in my own basement lol

[@Cypher81]

Thats not just a job thats a way of life you need to put all your life and everything you have on it bike shop owner in 2021 and past year was this is a life style. Im a local bike shop worker and my boss rush af i dont wAnt this place for nothing in the world 🤔🙄

[@keam210tx]

When Phu is this hyped about a topic from the jump...it’s time to get schooled up. From the Street Cred bike checks to the parts overviews and then the motor madness with the whips...🔥 consistent content

[@TenFalconsMusic]

I've had WTB Thickslicks (27.5 x 1.95) on my MTB for over a year and they grip better and are much faster than nobby tires. They're even safer in wet conditions.

[@brokenbearings6349]

Phu's passion on this subject is brilliant. #bmx

[@AlfredoMancuso]

These are facts!

[@pauljames1978]

2:37 The demolition hammer head Street tyre are a good all rounder tyre 👍🚲💨

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Really are!

[@jcorrea4663]

Great chemistry among you guys. The chemistry makes this a treat to watch.

[@Bozz_rb]

Finally alfredo thank you imma buy my second fast and loose tire now i knew i could feel me loosing speed because i have tread on the rear and fast and loose up front does feel move faster thanks alf im sold again

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Hellya!!

[@stevencase3289]

holy roller on the front' street tire on the back, great set up if you ride street and trails

[@oldfartonabmx2122]

The world needs more whitewall BMX tires! I had to DIY a set of mainline’s in whitewall

[@jpesicka492]

Fast and loose though. It's telling you there's a trade off. It's faster but it's looser.

[@mikeoliver3254]

There’s a reason race cars run slicks.

[@BigTree412]

I was just running in the Mike Aiken odyssey tires they were pretty cool but they fucking rolled slow so I went back to street tires

[@AlfredoMancuso]

I had a pair too!

[@lantlavoer6653]

I’m wanting an e-bike for my deliveries. I plan on stretching my tires. 20x2.25 in the winter and maybe 20x1.75 in the summer over a 3 inch wide rim. I like that edgier stuff bmx has to offer. Your channel really helped me when you explained the stretch. You explained it well when you demonstrated the width.

[@tmbmx]

Beach cruiser tires work great on wet hard packed sand at the beach. Slightly deflated tires like on the SE Mike Buff balloon tire bike work best on thick loose sand at the beach.

[@carlopezify]

Thanks for this, man. I've been having the same dilemma for a few days now. Cheers!

[@GolfSux]

I wish companies were more transparent with compounds. Honestly, the tread pattern doesn't really matter if the compound is right. As a car guy that has been drag racing since the early 2000s, we look for compounds as all the tires are slicks. Makes a huge difference. I will say, I quit riding in 2005 and started back up 3 years ago. Tires didn't used to squeak and chirp. It's crazy how good tires are now. My cult vans tires stick to walls in a way I didn't think was possible, and I am pretty sure those are mid tier tires.

[@kirstenspencer3630]

We have used both, good comments, observations. Thanks

[@deadinside7600]

The one thing I'm surprised he didn't go over was tire compounds. Because there are tires that don't grip for crap at parks and certain situations riding street. I've noticed my red camo cult vans are a lot harder of a rubber than my plain black ones. They get far less grip at my local park and sliders are so much easier.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Did you watch the end of the video?

[@bignappy504]

I'm old School. Thanks for making this video. Another thing bad about knob tires when riding off road,mud,dirt,rock,clay and such is knobs tend told cake so bad that you lose control and the tires weigh a heck of a lot more.

[@mr.finley3588]

Thank you!

[@thomiccor]

Totally agree. I'm old school. I like to keep my tires period ... but I did a cross country trip on a Marin Sausalito with hybrid tread, back in 2003 and yeah, I was cutting through the mud with smooth all terrains like you wouldn't believe. Some dude on a mtb passed me on the C&O Canal trail in a thunderstorm and I was like, "I feel like I'm driving a bus!" And he was like, "You're doing a good job!"

[@thomiccor]

... I had double front panniers and a hiking pack strapped to my rear rack, about 80lbs of gear.

[@sirkdopsah1081]

Go super old school...Cheng Shin son!!!

[@roberthuffmann8204]

I was hoping he’d address an issue I’ve had with street tires not biting when I’m pedaling hard out of dirt berms. It’s like the tire is just sliding, not sideways, just spinning and not propelling me forward.

[@Rittzo.]

if you read that one back you will realise why that is happening, you have STREET tyres riding out of DIRT berms, of course it's not gonna grip. If your tyres are smooth for the street obviously it's not gonna grip the dirt like a DIRT tyre would......?

[@roberthuffmann8204]

@@Rittzo. yeah thanks bro

[@Shukkone]

If it were me i'd say i'm too powerful and call it a day!

[@leavemealoneyouprick]

Holy Rollers are still literally the best "jack of all trades" tyre out there for smaller wheels. ive ridden DH freeride lines on them in the wet, loamy stuff, mud, clay, street, park, hardpac.... definitely weakest in the park, but not terrible at all! (i do ride 24" DJ though tbf)

[@robertchawner9751]

You gotta try the Karma Supra brand tire. They're incredible.

[@lantlavoer6653]

The knobby classic butterfly pattern are actually the best. I have the Bell brand with Kevlar. They actually roll faster than street tires because the tread is raised off the ground. They endure everything the street throws at them. Trust me. I’ve commuted my bike for years.35psi max. I run 45 psi to compensate for my 180-200 weight. Chromoly GT bump or 2015 signature series. They also make my wheels look pretty and beefy. They are not like the tires in the 80’s that wear quick. They are more like a car tire or better now.

[@hap1n355]

Great video. I think the message here is work smarter not harder. I’m riding Kenda Kinipton 26x2.3 and it’s like having air shocks suspension. I one time walk my bike down the stairs and bike was like a low rider bouncing up and down. I’m doing more gravel rides around the SF bay and going to change then out to Victoria Mezcal. I wish you guys do a talk on gravel tires.

[@user619tlsdca5]

My issue of choosing right tires for my e bike is the need to get a tire that will not wear down in the middle of tire as using Knob tires the middle knobs get worn down flush to surface of tire. Trying to find tires that assist in not wearing down too fast after using for I end up changing tires every 4 to 6 months..

[@plumber1227128]

I live in the northern hemisphere, we get snow and sleet. How do the slicks hold up in these outlined conditions Phu? Not good, move south! Yea I get it but you know?

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Yea not good in moist conditions

[@Bmxinnigeria]

Everyday learning something new #Bmxinnigeria

[@BigDsRc517]

I prefer the dirt tires

[@owen687]

I always wondered this, I guess I’ll get an answer today

[@AlfredoMancuso]

That. You. Will. Haha

[@EC-ol8nz]

What is good on indoor CLAY race track??? with Some slippery wet spots? I need a race tire!!! Thanks!

[@naz95k71]

kenda krad. maxxis holy roller. both of these tires are REALY the best to get, they ride perfectly on every thing, the only area they lack in a tiny bit is on snow. and the best way to set up the bike is 26x2.30 krad or 26x2.40 holy roller. and for the front it must be either 27,5" or 29" that is wider than the rear with the most agresive contact patch like a maxxis agressor or schwalbe magic mary. so 2.40 to 2.80 is like the sweet spot. in general you want the most pricey and agresive front tire you can get, and a cheap to medium rear thats for stunt/street. the front tire wears very little compared to the rear. i have this setup on my 40kg ebike that can go 80/h and never slipped on grass or dirt or any thing. now scale that down and aim it more into BMX and you going to run semi slick in the rear and something like the krad or holy rollers in the front. now that is the best way to set up an all purpose bike. thats all the wisdom i have for you all who are looking at tires.

[@VAustin89]

my street rig run 2 Eclat fireballs, but for my all-arounder, I have Kenda K-rads on the rear and FIT T/A on the front.

[@sirus_blue]

even on my 26inch dirtjump bike i ride smooth tires with just a couple of grooves

[@pauljames1978]

7:36 It’s like primo comet tyres back in the day they was quite popular for bowl riding 👍🚲💨

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Big facts

[@pauljames1978]

Comp 3s on me race bike back in the day then on my pbr I had primo dirt monster on the front and v monster on the back I think Smoove tires are more prone to punches so something with a bit of grip but not two knobbly for all round riding 👍🚲💨

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Knobby gang!

[@user619tlsdca5]

I use the knobby tires for street riding as the knobs get wormed down to flush of tire surface as using a non knob tire would wear down faster than the knobby tires.?. Is there a tire that works well to avoiding the middle wear down of tire? Until then, Im still using knobs as the buffer from getting worn down to quick as with a non knob, it would wear down too fast too soon.?>

[@moneyme1327]

I put a knobby on my front tire after having my pink smooth GT tires... and oh boy it felt so different to do spins and fakies along with fakie sliders... it has more grip and doesn’t slide well at all for obvious reasons 😂

[@ridzwansabtu3918]

Ah yes.... back in the days... knobby tyres is the only option we have during 90s... works great on gravel... noisy on the road & heavy on the mud... 😁

[@ericisabadbadman3978]

I always ran a nobby tire in the front tioga comp 3 I believe until the ruben tires came out. Now I run a fit faf night vision tire in the front, animal tire back

[@MRREE-zw6xc]

I mean supermoto bikes ride smooth wheels! And they fly through anything! Definitely wanna try some!

[@AlfredoMancuso]

💯

[@juliangaribay4711]

Hard packed dirt you can run smoother tires Like a medium tread depth or deep tread or even mild tread Clay jumps or track you can run super smooth tires due to clay being a smoother and harder material

[@dan_1414]

What I’ve always gone by is knobby tyres on dirt and slick tyres when riding on concrete.

[@nik_evdokimov]

I'm living in Finland 🇫🇮, most of the time in the year I'm riding on ice and snow, in this case I think the smooth tires are not that good

[@LuluBejot]

Wow, This is a great bmx video! I believe in you, you just earned a new subscribers!!

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Shut your robot using ass up lol

[@LuluBejot]

@@AlfredoMancuso by the way this morning a Bmx Edit 2021 will be online it’s an epic one 🔥😃

[@SupermarketRefrigeration]

S&M mainline front/ Odyssey path pro rear. A little knob, a little smooth 🤌🤌

[@Rileys_dad]

The earth is flat man. I ride smooth street tires on the dirt jumps, haro la mesa 2.4. If I ever buy new tires, they’ll be those vans camo ones. I also like bon jovi, dead or alive is my favourite song. I’m 37, I feel like Phu is close to my age. I’ve completely given up the weed bong water, I feel great about it.

[@GamedayRecordCompany]

I busted my ass on gt smoothies at the Venice beach bike path & it made me think twice about those tires. I still ride on em. When cornering I hear a funny sort of a low level screeching sound from the tires. Is that the sound of them grabbing the pavement or slippage? Or perhaps even both?

[@Pshady]

For dirt / trails Comp 3’s used to dig into the jumps and leave marks, smooth tyres helped the jumps. It’s a good idea to change tyres while you are at the trails, you will be able to feel the difference between tyres, and there is a difference between sets of tyres even with the same tyre pressures. If some gifts you second hand tyres, they probably have a problem.

[@sxpley-_-3057]

Opinion on the cult x vans tyres?

[@XxLastWinterxX]

Its cult

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Cult? Haha they’re a little heavy got my liking but they look dope

[@Guccibuckethat69420]

I ride the Animal T1 tire. Best damn tire my bike has ever touched! More a slick style like the Cult Fast N’ Loose but they grip persistently on both dirt and pavement! I reccomend trying them however they are a little heavier than avg. hasn’t really affected my ride whatsoever though!

[@rdrury419]

max sold me on the fast and loose

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Great spokesperson lol

[@Zekkenism]

Same

[@seanottaway1615]

Riding dirt with the Cinema Williams tires?

[@TheCoreys]

Where is the black vs color tires and grips? Nice videos there!

[@ymatktpk11]

I'm looking for a pair of used old school tan wall Tioga Comp Pool III tires in black. How much should I expect to pay? Thanks!

[@leereoder]

I agree with the knobby tires slowing you down. I also think the bigger/fatter tires slow you down to. I mostly ride Tioga Power Block & Kenda Contacts.

[@fender1000100]

Depends on the tires. I have a Tern link D8. I put 20X1.1 inch Schwalbe Durano tires on it. And got a top speed of around 25mph average speed of 14mph. Then when they wore out I put Vee Speedsters 20X2.00 on it. And got a top speed of 25mph on it. And an average speed of 13.5mph. But the bike is alot more stable and comfortable now. So that half a mile trade is well worth it to me. I enjoy my riding now. The diameter of the wheel and circumference increases with bigger tires. So even if your cadence is less. You move forward more with each cycle.

[@Yeetmaster900]

Love my maxxis holy rollers, also enjoy the Odyssey Aitkin double wall

[@jakecaron6906]

From my experience, I feel like the colored tires are more slippery , atleast on metal ramps

[@ianmangham4570]

Nah

[@SavageAudits]

Dirt jumps are smooth and packed. I ride MTBMX in the fog drenched Santa Cruz mountains on loamy deer-trails with jumps, drops and treacherous log kook-stoppers; knobbies FTW.

[@MArtymarr83]

It would be crazy if someone made clear tires! The clear brake pads r really good so in Theory it should b good to ride on? Park/street 🤔

[@randomchannel4886]

Probably a harder compound.. not so good for tires

[@victorabdelmalek7530]

wow i'm convinced

[@itisjustalex4972]

I need some tires that are good for everything and that are cheap ;)

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Shadow Conspiracy makes a whole bunch of solid options!

[@DirtDigglerDetecting]

I love you guys :) Panty dropper is on Fire LMAO. Honestly learn something NEW everytime. Thank you..

[@NathanB417]

Alot of guys used to run slick in the back to roll fast and knobby up front for grip whether that actually helps idk 🤷‍♂️

[@chocolatewheelchair]

Should I try it?

[@kanekochera57]

I ride kenda kontact. Knobby tires shouldn't slow you down, unless you have weak legs. Or if you wear flip flops

[@JackTheGymGoer]

slicks dont grip in wet weather because they dont displace water like a treaded tyre such as a ggrifter or sawtooth does

[@yurBihouse]

I got a high and low spot in my chain because of my sprocket and I try and adjust it but it never works and you give some tips for that pls??

[@andrewince8824]

Depends what you're riding in. My slick Anml GLH grip beautifully on tarmac and concrete. My mate runs Demolition Hammerheads with a bit more knobble and those grip better on dirt. Run what suits your environment.

[@Dan_Hazard]

Found Eddie bravos long lost brother 😅

[@ericblack4165]

He was all in your clip, backing you up😂👍🏿

[@potaylor9992]

Awesome stuff ,Phu at it again dropping that Knowing if half the battle

[@juliangaribay4711]

I can voucher for the hammer head s tires they are grippy fast and take impact nicely and I also run maxxis grifter tires 2.40 and these tires are fast af they grip damn good in the rain dirt street they take impact really good

[@roberthatfull3816]

Iv got a bike for dirt one for street and a park bike im an old skooler but ride a few midskool and new skool bikes i run either dirt monster or holly rollers on my dirt bike . Hoffman skidmarks or maxxis on my park bike And vmonsters ,miricle tyres and aitkin tyres on my street bikes .

[@chocolatewheelchair]

gotta have the primo v monsters

[@squeezablemayonnaise8904]

Mike Hucker signature tire is my go to

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Solid, like the rider who designed it

[@beancooker]

What is the white bike next to him in most of the video? It looks like the sticker is “Luke Nils”. Google hasn’t been any help.

[@randall3786]

I got the shadow contenders from the last video on tires

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Solid!

[@ericisabadbadman3978]

Not to do with tires so much but I used to have ramps behind my shed and the one ramp had the corner propped up with a 40z bottle. That never broke

[@christopheremmet5160]

personally i think the eclat morrow tires or similar pattern is the best all around, It's smooth on the streets and grips a lot on any surface, kinda like the fuego tires as well. I think the pattern of the tire is much more important than if its slick or knobby

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Phu hates ECLAT haha

[@christopheremmet5160]

AHHAHAH the cult dehart tires are good too, that type of pattern is what i think is superior out of everything thing, but that's just my opinion

[@Mel-md6cb]

@@AlfredoMancuso uh oh. Why does he hate eclat? Is it the products or is it the vendor/distribution issues?

[@YASAJTV]

Excellent content

[@davidstecher1171]

Great lecture!😎👍 ! Keep up the good work!👍

[@monkatron]

Anyone old enough to remember primo comet tyres? Never seen a tyre as slick since.

[@mikedevlinbmx7208]

They were pre-Vmonster days lol

[@yaaaboy3491]

I used to run it for my back tire. That was legit bald there was no groove or anything

[@monkatron]

They need to rerelease the comet.

[@mikehagen3785]

Comp llls are great in the snow!

[@randellkim2230]

Panda invented the knobby tire Kenda Tire co Taiwan 1974. First raise letters on our tire. Owner Randell Kim Panda bmx Hey Phu my wife is Vietnamese

[@cglasford1]

if you are running those fast and loose tires on your trails, you better hope those things are f'n dialed, packed and swept. I'm sure they are super fast. Just like the BMX race kids, all ride slicks these days but they are riding on soil tracked tracks with asphalt corners which are like riding concrete straights and asphalt corners. For me I like something with a touch more grip on the front and a slicker rear like S&M mainline front, trackmark back or Hammerhead front. That Cult would be a great rear tire

[@chocolatewheelchair]

is there any reason that having two diff tires would be unsafe or ride weird

[@cglasford1]

@@chocolatewheelchair I don't see how it could be unsafe and I don't even notice it but I do like to have a slightly more aggressive tire up front for a bit more traction and a smoother tire in the rear for higher rolling speed. I'm currently on 2.4 Mainline up front and a 2.4 speedball in the back and I think its great for dirt and outdoor parks. I might try these cults for winter indoor riding

[@chocolatewheelchair]

Thanks for reply i have 29'' SE BIKE and i have WTB nano tires on it right now and I know i am loosing speed but i dont want to wipe out or not be able to ride on a little gravel trail here and there @@cglasford1

[@tomdorazio681]

I’m running the kink sever tire. They’re pretty sweet, good grip and still roll fast. I think the cult vans or fast and loose will be the replacements though. The severs look like absolute slicks sitting next to my mountain bike with wtb vigilantes though lol.

[@adyzanahmad8565]

It's save my money after read ur comment... I'm just ordered the kink Switch 2022 with pre essemble kink sever tire and it's on the way to my home for now... I can delete my cart now for fast and loose tire... Tq... 😂😂😂

[@Mel-md6cb]

Oh shit. I live in LA. I should drop by this store!

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Pull up!

[@trailwomanrc]

That's fine for packed dirt, but what about loose or wet dirt? Not all the dirt out there has changed. lol You don't use your sidewall on berms. You lean into them. The center line being smooth is fine but more side knob will save you when sliding and the drag from side knobs is almost nonexistent when rolling on the center. I wish manufacturers made more dirt friendly tread varieties.

[@JNAMOTORSPORTS]

He’s right I’ve been riding dirt for 20 years and you want smooth rolling tires that are more street. If you sliding you don’t know how to ride dirt. It’s hard packed dirt and your just not riding the trails the right way. Knobby tires are garbage

[@timehonored]

If it slip, don't trip!

[@bfkeidnek]

let's see an updated 180 grind/fakie grind plzz

[@anonymouscitizen9630]

Fast & Loose, just like I like my women 😂🤣😂

[@lantlavoer6653]

One thing about e-bikes they are not saying a 20x2.25 can fit on a 3 inch wide rim. More convenient and efficient than buying the fat tires and fat tube. Though I get it. I never plan on buying a fat tire. Fat tire to me is an excessive amount of weight and material. Tailor make your tire to the beautiful rim.

[@CasperRc81]

Get over the front of the bike if your washing out. Great review

[@user-gk5je9wu4u]

i personally rlly like cult x vans tires and shadow tires.

[@waveyderamo9355]

I ride good year from dunhams and i love them