There is an unpleasant (to say the least) soft soil where UPDs is pretty much without the “U” for me
I currently ride a 20" QU-AX Luxus on which I started learning about 4 months ago. It is pretty much acting as “Muni” but its abilities (and mine) are obviously not “up high” in the off-road trails.
I recently ordered QX 36er for long distance/ commute rides and I wanted to know if its TA tire would be able to overcome this soft soil I happened to bump in every now and then along the trails I ride at.
And yes, I know that TA tire is not intended for off-road trails - but my 20" uni wasn’t supposed to be compatible with it either, and it’s doing quite great job!
It would be great if you could please take a look at the attached photo and tell me if the 36er TA tire will be able to handle this type of soil.
glad you enjoying yourself off-road with your first 20".
Most of us started this way: cheap unicycle to learn and rode it hard until something breaks
Back to your question. There isn’t much solution in shallow situations like sand as you have (or mud, snow, you-name-it) except a very large contact patch (the same way it is done for skiing).
It means that a wide rim, high volume tire at low pressure can help you (but you have to also learn to deal with the change of speed too).
Long story short: don’t beat yourself up and enjoy the rest in your ride by walking this section and you can come back to it when you will have change your equipment (or had a friend lend you his muni beast ).
Riding in deep sand can be fun if you’re not too worried about being successful. It’s hard unless you’re on a real sand tire (like the Surly Larry). Lowering your tire pressure will help, but mostly you need to be fast and smooth, and occasionally fall off into the sand.
Is it possible at all to ride on the side of the road for that section where the plants are going? The soil should be much better there since it’s being held together by roots. When I get to sections like this on trails, I try to ride in the grass just to the side of the path. I only do this for the sections I need to and I’m not going four-wheeling through the forest either, as I believe roads and paths are there for a reason.
Thanks for the info - I will check this “Surly Larry” tire.
But do you know if the 36er TA tire - with his huge Diameter and tire type, would it do the job or not?
I also like you try to make use of the trails sides where roots of plants make the soil much stiffer, but in this citrus plantation at the side of trails there are… trees so it’s not possible.
However, there are not long sections like this kind of soft sand and most trails are fine.
Diameter helps, and width helps. Tire width (size of contact patch) is probably the biggest factor.
Then riding skill helps. If your tire is skinny, there’s a limit to what it can do even with a really skilled rider. Try to ride perfectly straight (no s pattern), with no spikes in your power to the pedals. This takes practice.
With a 36" tire (they’re all about the same width) you can not only come in at a higher speed, it’s easier to ride straight. It’s definitely better suited to crossing patches of sand.
But some sand, when it’s dry, fine and deep, can be a problem for any common tire. That’s where the Surly Larry, and other very-wide tires come in. I remember the first time I rode on a tire like that: a path of large gravel went from a challenge to being like a sidewalk. A patch of perfect beach-like sand went from a total sand trap, to a soft spot that I rolled right through.
Riding on soft sand is hard work on anything. I used to do a lot of it on a 24" with a 3" tyre. It takes a careful style, picking your way “step by step” because if you rely on momentum, the wheel will suddenly stop and you will fall off.
I would be wary pf tryig to cover any significant distance on soft sand on a 36. A 24 or 26 with a fat soft tyre is the way to go.
).
Well, that’s pretty much what I do today - walk this section… :):)