Opinions on Simex vs. Swampers vs. Claws

[POS]

I had 35 tsl boggers on and they were awesome bagged out like anything (i've got photo's of the side bitters rubbing on the axle housing) but i needed larger tyres to stay competitive so for the price i went the 38.5 Baja claws.

At Xrcc i was running them at 1.5 psi to get them to work as well as the bogger but they were brand new and had never being used before than.

I think with some more work on them they will be unreal.

I will still run them at 1.5 to 2psi as they really wrap around rocks and provide awesome traction at that pressure.

[v8grunt]

Why have people been moving away from the Centipedes? Is it just that they aren't as good as swampers on rocks?

take a look at a video with both tyres in action on rock (slow motion frames) and you will see the answer for yourself.

[Adam]

i have Q78 TSLs on a 1988 rangie 4 door here in the USA. they work superb, and fit under the bodywork very well. I am running 5" of suspension lift and no body lift with trimmed fenders.

here is a pic-


i might soon be changing to a 36x12.5 TSL, however, and will update then. for now it is by far the best tire i have seen around here on a range rover, and on many other vehicles too.

[TuffRR]

Thanks for all the advice. I have narrowed it down to the TSL's or the centipedes. A lot of the posts have suggested that the centipedes don't wrap around rocks as well as the swampers, but for what i do in Vic it probably won't be a concern. I assume this is because of stiffer sidewalls and a harder rubber compound. Would this mean that they will have a longer life than the swampers?
They both sound to perform in mud pretty similarly, so in the end it will most likely come down to price with the centipedes being cheaper. On the flipside, the swampers have a better range of sizes.
Decisions are easy when your ignorant!!!!

[zzzz]

TuffRR - I know where there are a set of five 35x11.5xR15 centipedes that are at 90% tread if you are interested at all

[TuffRR]

Thanks for the tip zzzz. Wrong size unfortunately, if i go for the centipedes i'll probably get 35/10.5/16. On rim sizes, are there any advantages between a 15" and 16" rim? My rangie runs 16's as standard although i know people use 15's on them.

[Rut Slut]

If you are worried about tread life then I would go the Jungle Trekker 2 over the Centerpide. Most people I know that have run both have found teh Centerpide wears a lot quicker than the JT2. The JT2 is also around $100 a tyre cheaper at around $340 each, in comparison to either the Centerpide or Q78 Swamper which are both around the $450 mark.

[Wooders]

I was under the impression that the simex lasted longer (milage-wise) than the swampers. Plus they ARE cheaper (unless you're picking up 2nd hand)...
Advantage of 15" rim over 16" rim, more tyre before you get to rim & more sizes available (although this is changing).....Disadvantage I believe that the 16" reduces the sidewall flex some and can infact add to the stability in offcamber istuations....Look at the US rockcrawlers on 37" meats are now moving to 17" rims largely for this reason....

[bogged]

TuffRR - I know where there are a set of five 35x11.5xR15 centipedes that are at 90% tread if you are interested at all

what price, mate is looking for 35's at the moment?.

[LOCKY]

Tuff RR I have a set on my 4 door Rangie in Melbourne, welcome to come and have a look or bolt them on for a drive around the block.

In East Burwood 0417 552 629

Jason

[TuffRR]

Thanks Jason, I'll give you a call sometime. I'm only a few suburbs away.

[hypo]

i know this question is a bit off the topic but dus any1 know how much $$ 4 a 37" claw like shane barlow is runnin ??

[lowlux]

an important point to remember is that swampers are not a road legal tyre any where in australia as they have no speed or load rating. Claws and simex are rated so can lawfully be driven on the road. The reason the claw does not flex as well as the swamper is that ithas been renforced with a belt so it can be rated and to give it some road manners, I would gess that simex may have done some thing along the same line. With time and use the belt will lossen up and flex will inprove. The advantage of these 3 tyres is that they are all bais ply tyres and are therefore very resistant to damage unlike radials which will ussally flex better from the start but will damage much more easly.

My choice would be claws as the best allrounder

[Rut Slut]

i know this question is a bit off the topic but dus any1 know how much $$ 4 a 37" claw like shane barlow is runnin ??

From memory they are around $700 - $800 each. Give Hayden at Alpine Offroad a call 0401721216, tell him Simon sent you, he should be able to do you a good price. He is running them on his GQ shorty, and they are pretty impressive, much better than the 33 and 35.

[Rut Slut]

I was under the impression that the simex lasted longer (milage-wise) than the swampers. Plus they ARE cheaper (unless you're picking up 2nd hand)...
Advantage of 15" rim over 16" rim, more tyre before you get to rim & more sizes available (although this is changing).....Disadvantage I believe that the 16" reduces the sidewall flex some and can infact add to the stability in offcamber istuations....Look at the US rockcrawlers on 37" meats are now moving to 17" rims largely for this reason....

From what I have seen the Simex do wear better than the Swampers, however the Jungle Trekker 2 seems to wear better than the Centerpide.

[Wooders]

That's what I've also heard Scanas.

[TuffRR]

What are the relative advantages/disadvantages of the centipede vs the JT2?

[Rut Slut]

What are the relative advantages/disadvantages of the centipede vs the JT2?

The centerpide is directional and seems to work a little better in mud. The JT2 is a more all round tyre.

Personally I would go with the JT2 if you are on a budget, you can get them for around $340 each. If you want to spend a little more around $450 to $500 will get you a Centerpide or Q78 or 36x12.5 Swamper, I prefer the swamper.

[hypo]

thanx rutty ill call him 2mora(friday)

[POS]

i know this question is a bit off the topic but dus any1 know how much $$ 4 a 37" claw like shane barlow is runnin ??

From memory they are around $700 - $800 each. Give Hayden at Alpine Offroad a call 0401721216, tell him Simon sent you, he should be able to do you a good price. He is running them on his GQ shorty, and they are pretty impressive, much better than the 33 and 35.

Hypo,

When i was chasing around for claws i was quoted about $640.00 for 38.5 Baja claws, i would think 37's would cost less, Try Peter Antunac @ Onall4.

[spazbot]

Come on hypo 37" , just go the extra inch to the 38s or push the it a little and go 39"s YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

[Rut Slut]

i know this question is a bit off the topic but dus any1 know how much $$ 4 a 37" claw like shane barlow is runnin ??

From memory they are around $700 - $800 each. Give Hayden at Alpine Offroad a call 0401721216, tell him Simon sent you, he should be able to do you a good price. He is running them on his GQ shorty, and they are pretty impressive, much better than the 33 and 35.

Hypo,

When i was chasing around for claws i was quoted about $640.00 for 38.5 Baja claws, i would think 37's would cost less, Try Peter Antunac @ Onall4.

I was going by memory, which is pretty crap at the best of times.

[POS]

I wasn't having a go at you, it's just there's a huge difference in price from shop to shop.

That could have been the price quoted as i was quoted a similar price at one place.

So ya memory ain't so bad. (we are talking about baja claws aren't we )

[Rut Slut]

I wasn't having a go at you, it's just there's a huge difference in price from shop to shop.

That could have been the price quoted as i was quoted a similar price at one place.

So ya memory ain't so bad. (we are talking about baja claws aren't we )

Definately worth shopping around, as the prices tend to vary by a lot. Although I tend to buy anything I need from Hayden at Alpine Offroad 0401721216. He's on the board occasionally, he also does the fiberglass bonnets, etc, for the GQs.

[thunder]

When i was chasing around for claws i was quoted about $640.00 for 38.5 Baja claws, i would think 37's would cost less, Try Peter Antunac @ Onall4.[/quote] i brought my 35 claws from peter antunac(ace tyres)3 days before the nissan trials(originall date)he got them for me when others couldnt at a decent price.....steve

[Dozoor]

Best MUD tire in 35" You guys know exatly what im gunna say . And for 205 bucks each you can buy two sets ,for the price of simplex or boogers.

[JK]

Best MUD tire in 35" You guys know exatly what im gunna say . And for 205 bucks each you can buy two sets ,for the price of simplex or boogers.

I'm guessing Silverstone M117s...

[hypo]

thanx 4 all the info guys but i wont b gettin em 4 a while. i gotta save the $$ but i am startin 2 look round now as it wont b long

[POS]

Why have people been moving away from the Centipedes? Is it just that they aren't as good as swampers on rocks?

Pretty Well!

[Dozoor]

Two days till JK ,Bet ya got half a mungrel just thinking bout the trip home JK,
Not long now mate ,Ps Don't drink the water hehe