[1] Compared to ice or snow tires, they lack studs but contain deeper and wider grooves meant to help the tread sink into mud or gravel surfaces.
Off-road cycle tires, colloquially called knobbies,[4] may be found on motocross and enduro motorcycles, ATVs, and mountain bikes.
[1] Tires for single-track vehicles and ATVs have a curved profile such that some tread only contacts the ground during turning.
Street legal, knobby tires are generally not suitable for long distances on roads or paved surfaces because of poor NVH properties and excessive wear on the soft rubber.Depending on the design, an off-road tire may be designated "all terrain" ("All-around"), meaning it is intended for use both on- and off-road.
Modern all-terrain tires typically employ hybrid tread patterns and tougher compound to increase the wear life under mixed-surface conditions.
This makes all-terrain tires ideal for off-road driving, snow and ice, sand, and other soft surfaces.