MTB Tyre Pressure

[nyathi]

What would you say is the correct tyre pressure for MTB XC or trail riding?

[Das]

Usually says on the tyre. I ride 40 psi works for me.

[Regard]

Usually says on the tyre. I ride 40 psi works for me.

 

WOW!!!!

 

That is way to hard!

 

Well it depends on wether you ride tubeless or with tubes

 

Tubeless: 1.8-2.3 bar

 

Tubes: at least 2.5-2.8 bar

[skipperw]

i say...if it aint flat...it's all good.

[Das]

40psi is 2.8 bar... tubes

[Grondpad]

Depending on the terrain, I vary between 2.0 and 2.3 (tubeless)Grondpad2009-11-03 07:48:38

[Mudsimus]

I always ride 28 - 28. Psi that is.

[Mansie#11]

What about 3.5 bar??

[Mansie#11]

Just joking

[Dustbin Dog]

I say ideal tire pressure is based on a combination of the following factors, the tyre used, terrian been ridden, your body mass,  level of fitness and  riding style,    all determined over a period of time while riding in different conditions as you pick up more experience. sandstone2009-11-03 07:58:51

[TomvdP]

depends on the tire, the rider and the terrain. Too hard and the tires wont grip, you will feel them skating, particularly over loose terrain; too soft and you run the risk of getting pinch flats, as well as (arguable) increased rolling resistance. I recently changed to thicker tires since the old ones had to be pumped too hard to stop pinch flats. I dont pump my tires to a specific pressure, mainly because I dont have a floor pump but also because if I get a flat while riding I need to get them to the right pressure again. A rule of thumb that I was taught was to squeeze it at the sidewalls and aim for about 1cm depression with maximum force - this also works (roughly) all rider weights as the heavier guys tend to be stronger

 

[Troi Sport]

http://www.bicicletta.co.za/Downloadable_Documents.htm

 

read the article

 

Why fatter tyres are faster

 

[Troi Sport]

also

 

http://schwalbe.com/gbl/en/technik_info/

 

many of your questions answered

 

[dirtrider]

Fatter is better for me but not because the white coat people say so . It just does everything better . I also agree on the squeeze test .

[bradjackson]

I don't measure the pressure, but rather prefer to use the squeeze test.

 

Harder tyres definitely feel faster to me so I ride them as hard as the terrain will allow.

 

Sandy or very bumpy terrain = slightly lower pressure.

 

Gravel roads or hardpack = high pressure.

 

I see the trend these days is to ride softer tyres (especially with tubeless) so a lot of people will disagree with my logic, but it works for me.

 

 

 

I don't have a problem keeping the bike under control in fast corners, etc even running higher pressure, and my current fitness level results in my lungs losing traction before the tyres do on really steep climbs.

 

 

 

 

[L'Bie]

You already have as many different ideas as the different people who responded. I am of the opinion that the weight of a rider also play a role and to simply use a pressure will only work for riders of equal weight. I agree the terain plays a role, but generally if you find the right ballance between your weight and durability, the terain won't effect it too much. tweaking the pressure for a specific terain will come with experience ie. sand go lower pressures for a bigger footprint and hardpack go higher for lower rolling resistance. incedently I found the average pressure recomendations leave me with a unstable bike. Maybe it is the way I ride or feel comfortable and that is why I would recommend to start somewhere, go for a ride and log the experience. Adjust and repeat until you find your sweet spot. Measure the pressure and you have solid referance point.

for the record, I weight 85 Kg and I commute with my bike (tubeless) to work with the backpack filled with the daily necessities adding a couople of extra Kgs and my wheels on tar runs at 2.8 bar. if I lower to 2.5 bar, I get a nice plush ride at the expence of a skittish conering ability. When I ride on the weekends without the extra luggage, the bike feels sharp and responcive. Thats my sweet spot!

Now just go for a ride and find yours.