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Off-road tires (Off-road tyre) are a category of vehicle
tires
A tire (American English) or tyre (British English) is a ring-shaped component that surrounds a Rim (wheel), wheel's rim to transfer a vehicle's load from the axle through the wheel to the ground and to provide Traction (engineering), t ...
that use deep tread to provide more traction on unpaved
surfaces
A surface, as the term is most generally used, is the outermost or uppermost layer of a physical object or space.
Surface or surfaces may also refer to:
Mathematics
*Surface (mathematics), a generalization of a plane which needs not be flat
*Surf ...
such as loose dirt, mud, sand, or gravel.
Compared to ice or snow tires, they lack studs but contain deeper and wider grooves meant to help the tread sink into mud or gravel surfaces.
Design
Off-road tires are typically
radials with thick, deep tread. On dirt surfaces, the exposed edges of the tread dig into soft ground to give more traction than rolling friction alone, analogous to the traction provided by
cleated shoes. These off-road tires provide their maximum grip on loose surfaces, but on paved surfaces the smaller contact patch affords less traction as compared to street tires. Tires with less aggressive knobs (smaller knobs and the shape of the tread cross-section closer to that of street tires) can provide a compromise, giving less grip off-road, but a grip closer to that of street tires on paved surfaces. Such tires are useful for enduro and
dual-sport
A dual-sport motorcycle is a type of street-legal motorcycle that is designed for both on and off-road use. The terms ''all-road,'' ''on/off road,'' and ''dual-purpose'' are also used for this class of motorcycles. Dual-sports are equipped with ...
motorcycles and
other vehicles designed to be used both off-road and on pavement.
Some off-road tires are designed to be used with low inflation pressure on difficult terrain, reducing their rigidity and allowing the tread to better conform to the terrain.
Such a design may allow for use on a wider range of surfaces, but tubeless tires running under rated pressure run the risk of breaking their bead. A
beadlock A beadlock or bead lock is a mechanical device that secures the bead of a tire to the wheel of a vehicle. Tires and wheels are designed so that when the tire is inflated, the tire pressure pushes the bead of the tire against the inside of the wheel ...
can be used to prevent this.
Use on bicycles, motorcycles, and quads
Off-road cycle tires, colloquially called ''knobbies'',
may be found on
motocross
Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom.
History
Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...
and
enduro
Enduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on extended cross-country, off-road courses. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges. The main type of enduro event, and the format to which the World Enduro Championship is run, is a ...
motorcycles,
ATVs, and
mountain bike
A mountain bike (MTB) or mountain bicycle is a bicycle designed for off-road cycling. Mountain bikes share some similarities with other bicycles, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain, which ...
s.
[ Tires for ]single-track vehicle
A single-track vehicle is a vehicle that leaves a single ground track as it moves forward. Single-track vehicles usually have little or no lateral stability when stationary but develop it when moving forward or controlled. In the case of wheeled v ...
s and ATVs
ATV may refer to:
Broadcasting
* Amateur television
*Analog television
Television stations and companies
* Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra
* ATV (Armenia)
* ATV (Aruba), NBC affiliate
* ATV (Australian TV station), Melbourne
* ATV (Austria)
* ATV ...
have a curved profile such that some tread only contacts the ground during turning.
Depending on the model of tire, an off-road capable tire may or may not be approved by the DOT. In the United States, such a tire approved for street use will be marked with a DOT code (U.S.), which identifies the tire as street legal. Tires which are not approved for street use will typically be labeled "Motocross Use Only" or "Not for Highway Use". Street legal, knobby tires are generally not suitable for long distances on roads or paved surfaces because of poor NVH properties and excessive wear on the soft rubber.
All-terrain
Depending on the design, an off-road tire may be designated "all terrain" ("All-around"), meaning it is intended for use both on- and off-road. Such tires attempt to compromise between grip on loose terrain and safety or comfort on paved roads. Some tires, such as the bar grip
Bar grip tyres, or 'NDT' (Non-Directional Tire) in US military parlance, are an early tyre tread pattern developed for off-road use.
Bar grips are characterised by a solid rubber circumferential centre strip, with large solid cleat alternately t ...
used on United States military vehicles in World War II, accomplish this by separating the tire into distinct on-road and off-road tread zones. Modern all-terrain tires typically employ hybrid tread patterns and tougher compound to increase the wear life under mixed-surface conditions.
Features of All-Terrain Tires
All-terrain tires are known for their ability to handle different terrains. They come with grooves and channels that distribute the load evenly, improving the traction. This makes all-terrain tires ideal for off-road driving, snow and ice, sand, and other soft surfaces. They are also known for their long lasting performance.
Some of the key features of all-terrain tires(ATTs).
* Largest Tread Depth
* Aggressive Multi-Pitch Pattern
* Cushioning Layer
* Large Void Area
* Tread Design
* Snow & Ice Traction
See also
* Bicycle tire
A bicycle tire is a tire that fits on the wheel of a bicycle or similar vehicle. These tires may also be used on tricycles, wheelchairs, and handcycles, frequently for racing. Bicycle tires provide an important source of suspension, generate ...
* Motorcycle tire
A motorcycle tyre (motorcycle tire in American English) is the outer part of motorcycle wheel, attached to the rim, providing traction, resisting wear, absorbing surface irregularities, and allowing the motorcycle to turn via countersteering. Th ...
* Paddle tire
Paddle tires are mainly used on off road vehicles, specifically designed for use in sand and mud. They consist of a smooth tire core which has a series of large rubber cups (or paddles) attached to it. The volume inside of a paddle is much larg ...
- For use in sand and mud
* Off-road motorcycles
Off-roading is the activity of driving or riding in a vehicle on unpaved surfaces such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, and other natural terrain. Types of off-roading range in intensity, from leisure drives with unmodified vehicl ...
* Off-road vehicles
An off-road vehicle, sometimes referred to as an overland or adventure vehicle, is considered to be any type of vehicle which is capable of off-roading, driving on and off Pavement (material), paved or gravel surface. It is generally characteri ...
* Off-roading
Off-roading is the activity of driving or riding in a vehicle on unpaved surfaces such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, and other natural terrain. Types of off-roading range in intensity, from leisure drives with unmodified vehicl ...
* Bar grip
Bar grip tyres, or 'NDT' (Non-Directional Tire) in US military parlance, are an early tyre tread pattern developed for off-road use.
Bar grips are characterised by a solid rubber circumferential centre strip, with large solid cleat alternately t ...
* Cyclo-cross bicycle
A cyclo-cross bike or cyclo-cross bicycle (abbreviated CX Bike or CXB) is a bicycle specifically designed for the rigors of a cyclo-cross race. Cyclo-cross bicycles roughly resemble the racing bicycles used in road racing. The major differen ...
* Mountain bike
A mountain bike (MTB) or mountain bicycle is a bicycle designed for off-road cycling. Mountain bikes share some similarities with other bicycles, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain, which ...
* Rolligon Rolligon is a trademark name for large, low pressure tires, designed to traverse the soft ground surfaces of the tundra. The product was invented by William Albee in 1951, after he had seen Inuit using inflated seal hides to drag a heavy boat on sho ...
* All-rounder (cycling)
This is a glossary of terms and jargon used in cycling, mountain biking, and cycle sport.
For ''parts of a bicycle'', see List of bicycle parts.
0–9
; 27.5 Mountain bike: A mountain bike with wheels that are approximately in diameter and ...
References
Tires
Tires
A tire (American English) or tyre (British English) is a ring-shaped component that surrounds a Rim (wheel), wheel's rim to transfer a vehicle's load from the axle through the wheel to the ground and to provide Traction (engineering), t ...
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