[Johnnyboy]

Hey Everyone,
I am looking at the Pitbull 27.5" Growler UBER tires. I am unsure if I should spend the extra money and get beadlock rims in the 12" size. I am willing to upgrade to a 14" rim if that will eliminate some need for beadlock since it will have a smaller sidewall. The price for the 14" beadlock rims is out of this world. I wlll do mostly snow and trail riding. Thinking about going to MOAB this spring, and don't know if beadlocks are a must there. Has anyone actually ripped off a bead doing normal riding, with normal PSI? How will these tires do in MOAB without being overly deflated requiring a beadlock? Thanks ----- John

 

[RuttingRhino]

I have been lucky and never lost a bead with stock or ITP rims...

Others have...

 

[haymaker7796]

I don't think there a must for trail riding, but I do love mine with Tireballs in them for racing. I have no worries about flats or beads. They are pricey though. Nothing worse than losing cause a flat!

 

[dbestduner]

iv never lost a bead....I do alot of fast trail riding over rocks, and rock crawl. I also dune alot.

 

[Johnnyboy]

iv never lost a bead....I do alot of fast trail riding over rocks, and rock crawl. I also dune alot.

Are you running 14" wheels? Does 12" to 14" wheels matter?

 

[dbestduner]

I'm running 12's I don't think it really matters. your gonna get more sidewall with a 12.

 

[RHINOdan]

Acouple of years back, I had tacoed a rear rim at around midnite out in Ocotillo Wells and the wheel was all tore to chit but my beadlocks kept the tire on for me to get back to camp which was a 15 mile ride and was able to do 25-30 MPH also.
Since then I have been impressed with beadlocks and also want to get a set for my sand tires so I can air down a bit more and not have to worry about popping a bead cus I have seen peeps pop beads out in glamis.
OMF has a sample of one of their rims that got annihilated on a wreak and still keep the tire hugged on! I believe they bring that along to display on there booth at the off road shows.

 

[Roo]

I did lose a bead on the front in the sand once, because of the lower air pressure. I now use bead locks on my sand tires, and regular ITP rims for hardpack with no problems so far.

 

[Johnnyboy]

Thanks for the replys. I am just going to order the 12" tires and then I can upgrade to beadlocks if I so choose. I was thinking about getting the 14" version and didn't want to order rims without beadlocks and then regret the purchase. It sounds to me in my research that these tires (Pitbull Growler UBER *8 PLy ) have a stiff sidewall so "normal" pressure shouldn't lead to rolling beads often. I'm thinking about running in the KOH stock class in February. The YouTube videos look awesome! Thanks for all the help. -- John

 

[WildEarp]

If you plan on racing, buy the beadlocks now. They are necessary for racing, IMO.

 

[Johnnyboy]

If you plan on racing, buy the beadlocks now. They are necessary for racing, IMO.

I think I might send my wheels to OMF and have some installed. Hopefully the turn around isnt too long.

 

[WildEarp]

What wheels do you have? I have OMF bead-locked ITP T7s and I love them.

 

[mtoma]

The beadlocks are nice for airing way down while rock crawling. I've lost a few beads without them and trying to run the air too low.

 

[RHINOdan]

Thanks for the replys. I am just going to order the 12" tires and then I can upgrade to beadlocks if I so choose. I was thinking about getting the 14" version and didn't want to order rims without beadlocks and then regret the purchase. It sounds to me in my research that these tires (Pitbull Growler UBER *8 PLy ) have a stiff sidewall so "normal" pressure shouldn't lead to rolling beads often. I'm thinking about running in the KOH stock class in February. The YouTube videos look awesome! Thanks for all the help. -- John

Now that you thru the KOH into the equation - I would strongly consider running beadlocks cus that place is rock central and that would suck to be down over a busted bead or a flat. I would think they would be able to take care of you within a month....