Sipes are the small slots that are cut or molded into a tire tread surface. These slots are meant to aid in increasing traction in snow, ice, mud, and wet road surfaces. The name of the concept of siping a tire comes from a man named John Sipe, who received a patent in the 1920’s, after realizing that an array of small transverse cuts in the heels of his shoes gave him better traction. Later Goodyear received a US patent claiming that the “sipes” improved traction characteristics in tires.
Tire tread is a series of block shapes, groove configurations, and sipes, all of which have an affect on the tires traction and noise level. Typically, wide, straight grooves running in the direction that the tire travels will have a lower noise level and good water removal. More lateral grooves running from side to side will usually increase traction while increasing noise levels. Sipes are the small grooves or slits that are cut across larger tread elements. Up to a point, more sipes give more traction in snow and mud as well as over various terrains found offroad.
Offroaders.com Guide to Wheel Terminology. This guide helps you understand the most commonly used terms related to wheels including wheel construction, wheel measurements, sizing, and spacing. Offset: The distance from the centerline of the wheel to […]
After a period of dormancy, the highly popular Gateway Buckshot Mudder makes a reappearance on the market through the company TireSquire. Among the many retail specialty tires TireSquire sells, you’ll find the Gateway Buckshot Mudder in a […]
This section categorizes Offroad, Mud Terrain MT, All Terrain AT Tire and other 4×4, offroad and performance related vendors. Browse the links below to find Offroad, Mud Terrain MT and All Terrain AT Tire retailers. If you […]