Hello All-

Haven't been here in a while. Rode my 02 SP 700 last weekend and it is time for new tires and wheels.

I think I am sold on the Bighorn Radial. Don't want to go huge, any benefit to going to a 26" tire?

My next question is wheels. I spend most of my time on roadways and well traveled trails. Not alot of mud or rocks, but there are those occasions. I like the looks of the ITP C Series Type 5 wheels. Anyone run the new type 7 wheels. I don't want a wheel that is going to bend easily. The type 5 is supposed to have a very tough rim.

I am not necessarily stuck to ITP.

Tell me what you think.

Thanks-

 

For the riding you have described I think your choice of the Bighorn Radial is excellent. They are proven very tough, durable, long lasting tires. Their only negative is that they're not neseccarily a "mud tire" although they do have good sized lugs so they should be OK.

I have the ITP Type 7 cast aluminum wheels. I got them because they were a package that came with the Mudlite XTRs. They are nice but there are many nice wheels out there as well. I also like Vision wheels. I think they look better than the ITPs and the quality is excellent.

I have the 26" tires and prefer them on my Sportsman 400. You lose a little bit of acceleration (very little) compared to the 25"....but the benefits far outweigh that to me. More ground clearance and better traction are major differences and to me it's well worth it. If you go bigger than 26" then you'll start to lose the handling and agility. I think the 26" tires are an idea size for all-around trail riding.

 

I have the itp type 5 rims and they seem to be really tough, never bent yet and i have hit alot of rocks.