Thanks for the review, I’m a parts person and a rider and haven’t had the chance to run the VE33 yet, so I can at least give my customers some idea now!
Here in Ohio I have ran both. You did not state your set up , but on tubliss2 running at 10 psi down to 4 psi , I have had 0 issues with knob serperations or carcass failure. Unfortunately I didn't make the saddle back x race this year , but a bunch of Enduros and dual sports on the same tire and it is still working well. See the 2021 peace pipe Enduro. I was able to wheelie up stuff others would slide out sideways on . Truly a performance value at $100 when I bought it in the spring. Haven't hammered it on the rocks like at RORR , but It lasts the road abuse of dual sports.... Incredible tire for fast and hard , technically demanding riding here in Ohio and Ky. I am not a mx rider , no option on track performance.
The irc is a great tire. My default testing pressure is 10.5 psi on hd tubes for consistency. The chunking only happens at speed and on hard rocks. There is no way I can run anything less than 8 psi at the speeds in central oregon and sharp embedded rocks here - guys that try that here never get out of second gear or bend rims or lose spokes. The VE33s is n excellent tire. Thanks for the comment.
We have hardly been selling any Shinko 525's lately. Still have a couple customers running them but I'd say our number 1 selling tire right now is the VE33s by a lot
Thanks for the comment. Makes sense. Rich Larsen is really growing the following AND the IRC VE33s is simply a better tire (if you don't ham fist it and rip knobs).
Great review I was literally just looking at both these tires a couple days ago and I went with the ve33. I just got it in the mail and mounted today looking forward to testing it this weekend!! Let’s see Michelin starcross 5 vs Dunlop mx33 next!!!
Great video! I've used both the VE33s and Shinko 525 and agree with almost everything in your review, except that I actually found the VE33s to wear very well (in my terrain and riding style). I have ran it over 45 hours and it still looks pretty good at that point, no knob tearing and plenty of life left. Running a plushie nitromousse. That said, riding in Michigan there terrain is generally loose (either sand or loam/mud) with few rocks or hardpack. Even in gnarly situations (rocks, logs...etc) I feel like it wears well because it grips so well and you don't have to slip it. So out of the two, the VE33s is definitely my favorite for the type of terrain we ride here.
Keep in mind I have 4 front wheel assemblies and 6 rear. In the front I now use exclusively Michelin mousse inserts. For rear testing Tire Fight segments I use bridgestone XHD tubes. This removes the variation of mousse / tire fit, every tire and mousse is different and Mousses continually break down. Also tubliss has its place, but again introduces variables that are not specific to the tire. For rear my nominal pressure is 10.5 psi and the work my way slightly up and down evenly for each tire tested. For tire testing XHD tubes are the most consistent choice. Again I am trying to remove variables not associated with tires.
I think you are really on to something here!!! I'm often looking for comparison of tires against each other, in the very format you are using. I do have a suggestion how ever, include tire weights. This does affect handling in many circumstances. Otherwise great job!!!!
Ive been running the 525 down here in the so. Utah desert.. love it, but always felt it was lacking a bit in the sand. deff gonna try the VE33s next, thanks for the review
The 525 is an excellent tire, where it rolls better and is slightly more precise than the VE33S, it performs less in loose deep soils. The VE33s is king in deep broken shale and deep sand. It Will die early on hard pack if you abuse it.
@@2smoking.and.4stroking I'd be interested in seeing the ve33 the non gummy version and how it compares, I assume it would have less traction in the hard pack and maybe on rocks and roots, but I think because the harder compound it would wear more predictably and would probably be better in the sand and loose desert terrain and at higher speeds.
@@Shultzchet , That would be a great back to back test! My guess is the regular version will have 80% of the traction and much longer life. The gummy VE33s is a great tire! just don't be a ham fisted spinner and it will last long enough!
Dude this is so cool! Thank you for doing it! Might not be a popular idea but I wouldn't mind seeing a Trials tire (like the IRC TR011) vs Hybrid Gummy in the same test. I'm currently running the TR011 as an experiment here in NE PA and I *ALMOST* love it. I'm torn! You're WAAAAAAY more experienced than I am so would love to see/hear your thoughts? Either way keep it going! It's great!
Thanks for your comments! When I lived near Portland I would run a Michelin trials tire in my 300. Trials tires are great for slow and technical, but they REALLY suffer at speeds beyond 3rd gear. As long as you keep a trials tire vertical is will grip really well, as soon as speeds increase or you lean it hard into turns is will not do well. There are incredible tires out now that give you 90% traction if a trials tire with 80% the performance of a mx tire at high speed. In episode 3 and 4 ill be comparing a Michelin Xtrem vs Dunlop and IRC.
@@2smoking.and.4stroking i happen to have yes, in fim enduro the tires have low knobby hight i was wondering how they preform, could you compare a fim tire vs non fim tyre? Fpr example there is Michelin enduro medium
@@MrNz96 , I like that idea of FIM knobby height vs non. I can tell you from prior experience, assuming the same rubber compound in the tire, the shorter FIM knob will suffer significantly in sand and deep broken shale. In hard pack or dry rock faces the small knobby can actually be better, be more consistent, and lose less momentum.
Shinko 525 has been great. It doesn't feel like I've lost traction and I'm almost down to the where the two nobs will become 1. Stopping has gotten notably worse with wear.
The wear/tearing must be due to riding style. I've never ripped a knob off a VE33s. I get 40+ hours out of them, and I really only change them cuz I like shiny new things. You should also weigh each tire - the Shinko 525 is a ****ing heavy tire. Also, FYI, the 120 525 is much less susceptible to tearing than the 110 version. But for me, the IRC was WAAAY better than the Shinko.
Thank for the comment. I lived in PDX for 11 years and rode mostly all the forest areas in that region. Forest riding where you rarely exceed 3rd gear speeds and there is effectively zero volcanic rocks will yield much longer life on tires. I live in central Oregon now where the speed vary tremendously - Here I can do a whole ride in 2nd gear or I could drain an complete tank of gas and average 29mph in a non stop effort of desert wide track. I try to put Tire Fight subjects to a wide range of testing to give a broad representation of tire performance. High speed and tire spinning will rip knobs and that is OK! My goal is always to maximize riding fun and with very little regard to tire wear. The IRC IMO is better tire than the Shinko. Thank again for the comment.
Great question. IRC M5B is a soft terrain tire for mud and sand tracks or trail - it is NOT considered a gummy / hybrid tire. In hard pack, rocks, or tech a soft rubber compound ( not to be confused with soft terrain ) will get much more vertical traction. So, Yes, these tires are very different in application than an M5B.
Jeremy, Thanks for the comment. It is quite incredible how the 525 keeps traction even after it is worn. It is a VERY versatile and durable tire for a Gummy. VERY well rounded.
