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If it's the same tyre so the tread patterns are identical and they're both run at the same pressure so maybe take Gravel King SK's in 38 and 43c as an example .... would the wider tyres be any more grippy in mud than narrower ones or vice versa.
I have seen some comments saying that narrower ones are better at cutting through the surface mud to find something with more purchase underneath so are actually better.
Interested to see what other people's thoughts and experiences are?
Depends on the depth and consistency of the mud. Sometimes width = floatation so you roll over the mud, not through it.
Sometimes width = floatation so you roll over the mud, not through it.
but does that give you acceleration/braking/turning traction compared to a skinny tyre?
Too many variables when it comes to mud and tyres. But in general a thinner one will cut through the mud. To notice a difference with a lot of variables you probably need a big difference in width.
You may find the tread pattern more of a difference if the width is not that different.
Slippy clay mud, narrow tyres are better to cut through. Deep sloppy loamy mud, wide tyres to float.
My fatbike is great on the latter, entertaining on the former.
I spent 15 years believing thinner tyres responded better in the slop, normally opting for 1.8s IIRC. I still think that's the case now.
However, with tyres seemingly getting wider in recent years, I've joined the 'bigger is better' for all my riding. Rarely do I ride anything below a 2.4. So long as they've got some grip left and the pressures are right or thereabouts, then that'll do for me. Would rather feel I can be a bit more aggressive on certain trails (having wider tyres) than gain a bit of extra speed/mudmongery elsewhere.
Sometimes width = floatation so you roll over the mud, not through it.
but does that give you acceleration/braking/turning traction compared to a skinny tyre?
It depends.
Also very few rides are 100% slop (if you're doing CX this may be different), so you'll need something to grip on the rocks and roots you will find, and also you'll have to run more pressure to avoid damage over these on a narrower tyre.
If it’s proper mud I’m of the opinion that all that matters is having tread like a paddle steamer, and width isn’t a big deal. If you’re comparing a 38mm tyre that’s going to be crap in mud with a 43mm tyre that’s going to be crap in mud, you may as well be asking about the aero difference as well.
38s will give you more clearance, though.
Good point. The difference between 43 - 38 is probably bugger all in the real world, apart from the clearance which may grind you to a stop. But then if you have got to that point you should have either ridden faster, got off and walked or not bothered as its probably not fun anymore. Unless you are into CX, then I'm all out of suggestions as that sport seems to have been designed without rational reasoning 🙂
Not so much that it grinds you to a halt; more that it means abrasion to the frame, some noise, and a gradual low-level waste of energy.
As already said a good point that 5mm is BA in reality so I'll stick with the 38's I have on there ... was asking as I'm about to buy some mudguards and can get proper fitted ones on if I stick with the 38's but would need MTB style ones if I didn't want to create a limitation on tyre clearance.
Cheers for everyone's help !!!