Best ways to boost traction

[Absoluteblack]

Climbing on wet or loose surfaces, what do people here rate as the best way to boost traction?

[SHOAO]

I think your questions is what the best way riding on wet or loose surfaces? you wanna a better break system? what kind of tire you are using?

[red_flanders]

Climbing on wet or loose surfaces, what do people here rate as the best way to boost traction?

For technical climbing, o be honest, fitness. Everything falls out of that. When you start to tire your line wavers, a couple of bad or sub-optimal choices, and you're out. Second is technique.

Good rubber helps a lot. Dig into tire reviews.

[jmdirt]

Fitness, positioning/technique, tire pressure.

[macbindle]

Fitness, positioning/technique, tire pressure.

Nailed it.

To put some more meat on the bones, weight distribution and really smooth pedalling action...which will benefit from fitness and strength.

[tylervernon]

Two ways mountain tires attain traction: friction and mechanical keying.

Increase mechanical keying by using tires with more aggressive tread or lowering pressure to increase footprint.

Increase friction by using a tire with a stickier tread compound. Since frictional force is dependent only on the coefficient of friction, increasing the tire footprint alone will not increase the friction effect on smooth surfaces.

[jmdirt]

Two ways mountain tires attain traction: friction and mechanical keying.

Increase mechanical keying by using tires with more aggressive tread or lowering pressure to increase footprint.

Increase friction by using a tire with a stickier tread compound. Since frictional force is dependent only on the coefficient of friction, increasing the tire footprint alone will not increase the friction effect on smooth surfaces.

This only works if the 'more aggressive tread' can penetrate the surface. On hard pack dirt, rocks, and roots, a more aggressive tread often reduces traction, and can cause a 'squirmy' ride due to knob flex.