Desser Smooth Tundra Tire

[Av8r3400]

I went with Grove because they were a "known commodity" to me. When I converted my previous plane (with parts from my current plane, a project at the time), it was a very good experience. The wheels and brakes worked very well.

Therefore, when I finished the project plane I ordered a new (custom length) spring and this set of tubeless wheels and brakes for it rather than starting over with something unknown. I knew I wanted the Grove spring (the "Bush gear" offerings with steel springs were not working well at the time) and much preferred the bolt on, aluminum 1.25" axles (which I also have a second set facing inboard for my skis) over the smaller 3/4" diameter Matco offering, so I stayed with the Grove wheels and brakes.

[Hockeystud87]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Has there been much word on people trying to run these 22" 850 Desser tubeless?

I'm pretty tempted to get these on matco 6" wheels but would like to run them with out tubes.

[jrevens]

For many years, the Cleveland wheels and brakes were considered by many to be the "gold standard" in my (admittedly limited) flying world. It's what I always had. IMHO, the Grove units are more similar to them than the Matco, and in some ways better. I like the Grove products in general very much. I'm happy with the Matco parts that I have, but glad my wheels, brakes, axles, etc. are Grove.



I'm running 15 psi in my Desser 22" 8.50 - 6 smooth tundra tires and I like them a lot, although I have relatively little time on them so far... all of it on pavement. I've noticed no slippage between the tire and wheel so far. They are lighter by 1.5# per tire/tube than the 19" 8.00-6 Goodyear tires I had previously.

[Hockeystud87]

Jr do you run tubes in yours?

I currently have Cleveland brakes and wheels but their 500-5. So I need to go bigger. I haven't seen much other than brand name that says why grove is better than Matco. I know the brakes on the Matco can be weaker.

[jrevens]

Jr do you run tubes in yours? ...

Yes. I've made small marks with a silver marker on the tires and black on the wheels to show if any relative movement has occurred.

[Flybyjim]

MangyFox,

Any photos you would share on the axels both in and out for the setup for your skies and what skies are you using?

[Av8r3400]

Here is a shot of my plane on skis. The axles are the same inside and out. They are the standard 1.25" Grove aluminum axles. I just used longer bolts to reach all the way through.

The skis are Airdale skis (now defunct).

IMG_3118.jpg

[btjenkins85]

I had the aeroclassic 22” on matco wheels and ran them tubeless. When ordering from Desser tire make sure you specify you want tubeless.

I routinely operated them at 8-9 psi and no slippage on the wheels. At least half of my landings were on pavement, they seem to wear very well.

[Flybyjim]

NIce looking skis, are the aluminum or fiberglass. I am looking for a set for the Rans S-7 I fly while I am building the Kitfox, I like that the wheels do not need to be removed.

[WWhunter]

Jim,
Have you looked the Datum skis? The Datum are retractable, using an electric acctuatot. I have a set for my S-7 but haven't had time to get them mounted.
Summit also has nice skis.