View Full Version : Single or dual rib fronts ???
Any opinions on pros/cons of the dual rib front sand tires vs. single rib. I dont know if ITP is the only ones to make the dual ribs but it kinda looks like it. Which would/did you go with ???
We own both types, and they both seem to work fine. The ITPs are REALLY light, and if that is a consideration they are a good way to go. The single rib tires are a little wider and seem to float a LITTLE better, but the thing I like best about those is that we have them mounted on offset wheels and they widen the front end just a little. We run ridged fronts on 3 of our 4 bikes...and I just run the stock tires. They don't hold the line quite as well as the ribbed tires on steep sidehills, but I just prefer the overall feel of the stockers.
Arizona Griz
09/13/04, 4:22 AM
I agree with KSand. :D
IMO the Sand Star front dual rib tire is better when it comes to stirring than a Dune Tracker tire. KSAND is right thow when he says the single rib Dune Tracker is wider and may float better but both tires are 21x8x10's which in theory is the same size. I don't think the weight difference between the two is that significant so I wouldn't concern myself with that. If you like to bowl and stirring that front end is a concern then I would definately recommend the Sand Stars. Just my 02.[8D]
twvette
09/14/04, 10:53 AM
Dont know if I should just try the stock fronts as this will be my first time in the dunes or jump right in and buy the fron sand tires... Huummmm. I am going to go with Geckos for the rear. Thanks for the input ...
Christoblue
09/14/04, 12:08 PM
If this is your first trip to the dunes I would use the stockers and see how you like it before you buy front tires. I ride my stockers all the time. Unless your running straight paddles you don't usually need front tires. You might want to re-think the geckos though. They are a pretty heavy tire and they seem to ride rough compared to others I have used. If money is an issue I would go with the sand stars by ITP or the sand sharks by GBC.
blaster44
09/14/04, 4:19 PM
Front sand tires arent really needed...but like christoblue said you shoudl probably reconsider the gecko's
Arizona Griz
09/14/04, 5:19 PM
You can't go wrong with the Sand Stars but you will find out like I have that knowone will to ride behind you. They do throw a lot of sand. :D
I have Skat Track "Mohawks"(single rib) on the DS and Sand Stars(double rib) on the YFZ. They both work wonderfully. If I had to pick it would be a toss-up I'd say the Sand Stars re-act just a split second faster while turning But the Mohawks are lighter
We have gecko's on both our quads(rears)and stock in the front,the gecko's are fine for everyday play and getting around,they slide easy too.
You know what??? There was a great article in DIRT WHEELS not long ago, I think it was last month that had a sand tire comparison in it. you otta check that out.
Thanks for the continued input ...
I read lots of posts about sand tires on this forum and others and it then seemed the Geckos were a good compromise and very durable tire. I do want to be able to slide around a bit and not really going to be drag racing so I thought it would be a good tire for me but maybe I should still reconsider .... Huuummmm.
Looks like I will stick with the stock tires up front until I try it out a couple times.
I did peak at the Dirt Wheels sand tire article but unfortunetly I was at the airport and rushed to get on the plane so maybe I should go out and see if I can still find it to see what they had to say.
Thanks again ...
Geckos are a good tire just a little heavy they do work well in the sand and cinders,,:D
yamaha fan
09/20/04, 3:07 PM
I have sand stars on the front and rear of my yfz450 and love them. My brother has a raptor with geckos and he always wants to use mine. I don't notice the diffrence between single or dual rib, but they are both way better than stock. I would recommend the sand stars
04 yfz450
SAND KING
09/20/04, 11:18 PM
I run single rib up front,and gecko's out back,on a mild o2' 400ex,I like the gecko's,slide well,had to play with air pressure to get them dialed in,on hard tight sand,like after a rain shower,i run them at 4.5psi,then as the day goes and the sand loosens,i get down to 1.75-2.0 psi,and they hook well,other thing to consider with paddles,and not to many people mention it here is rim diameter,the smaller rim the lager foot print you get when you air them down,an 8" rim will let the paddle "squat" better than a 10" rim,due to more sidewall on the 8". just hope this helps....[8D]
warrioraz
09/21/04, 8:46 PM
My .02, I owned 20x10x10 gekos and thought they were the best from all the articles I read. I then purchased some 20x10x10 ITP Sandstars and they hook-up much better then the gekos. The gekos have sence been sold. I will add that the gekos seem to do better running at a lower psi.
Just Ride It
09/22/04, 7:23 AM
I agree that the Sandstars hook up a lot better than the Geckos. For a while the Geckos were all the rage in the dunes, but people started to realize they did not hook up well. I saved my Geckos for the Cinders they work great there and are pretty much indestructable.
I think that your decision to wait on the fronts is a good one. I road without fronts for my first 2 season when I started going to the dunes and could keep up and do what everyone was (some with fronts and some without).
ahsumtoy
09/22/04, 3:03 PM
My wife and I both have Honda 400 ex's and run the STU Sand Skates in the rear and stock tires in the front. Last time out, I got a chance to put on the Sand Stars in the front. My wife and I like to shoot the bowls a lot and slide around. To me they didn't make much difference, however, they look realy cool. If you want to save money, stick with your stock tires in front and get some good sand paddles in the rear like the STU's or the Sand Stars. Just my 2 cents worth.
Well I went for the Geckos new on Ebay. Probably should have gone used as there was a set of front and rear sand start that went for under $200 with almost no use. I had concluded most said the Geckos were best all around and just try rears only first and go front there. I also went with 10in rim snad thats a good point that a smaller rim would make a larger footprint at low PSI. Huuuummmm ... I guess if I never try the Sand Starts or front sand tires I will be perfectly happy with just the Geckos, right ;) !!!!????
Twvette...you'll be fine with what you got. You've got a very good point about just running what you have and enjoying it...and not worrying too much about what you "could have had". Some products ARE better than others...but it usually comes down to personal preference as much as anything. I love the Sand Stars on my 400EX, for example, but my son runs Geckos on his 400EX and loves those. We traded one trip just for grins and switched back right after the ride because we each liked our original tires better. The important thing is to just RIDE...and enjoy what you are riding.
The new ATV shop on Peoria and 56th Ave R/atv has Sandstars front or rear for $99 a set mounted on wheels. Nice price. Thinking about a 2nd set Haulers for the dunes and Sandstars for teh Cinders
Yeah, I noticed that price the day my Geckos arrived which I paid about $200 for when it was all said and done. Huuummm ... maybe will go pick up some fronts then as most people also want about $200 new for fronts ... It might be too good of a deal to pass up.
blaster44
09/24/04, 9:14 AM
the rim size will also affect the ride... and 8" rim will ride nicer then a 10" because of the sidewall flex.. just figured Id add this 'cause rim size was brought up.:)
Well, I ended up getting a set of singles for one of my quads and duals for another. Heres my formed opinions:
Singles:
Work just fine. Ultimetly seem to catch the best for cornering. However, when they catch, they really catch and sometimes it feels a bit awkward and a bit unpredicatable. I think its cause the single rib flexes a bit and just depends upon the situation as to how its ultimetly going to react and grab.
Dual:
Duals are my choice. They offer the same stabilty on slopes, etc but have very consistant cornering feel. They ride very smooth and feel a little better on hard pack sand and when loading unloading on pavement, etc. Also, the ribs down flex under the bikes own weight so they are much better if you keep your sand tires on while parked/storage.
There are the razors that I would like to try some day. More of a single but it looks thicker and has breaks in the rib so I could theorize these as being the best all around but primarily see them on drag bikes for some reason. Huuumm ..... just thinking out loud here ...