MTB Tyre Pressure

[nyathi]

All sorts of views on this, nice. Thanks for all the replies and information. It gives me a better view on this and I will certainly work on the given information!!

 

[Bos]

There Is a perception that "high volume" or bigger tires roll slower, but most of the time its only the weight that we feel. I run my tires quite soft but am a lighter rider and also have a FS. on a Hardtail the Pinchflat vs comfort tradoff is always there when youre not on tubliss. I have often Pumped my tires just that half bar harder than usually in races thinking its faster, only ended up in wishing I never did as It beats you up and doesnt track well.

 

If I had to give a one line answer, Id say run them as soft as possible, just so it doesnt roll off when you stand next to your bike and push it as you would corner holding the front brake.

[scotty]

Lowest i've gone with my tubes is 3 bar and max 3.5 for off road depending on conditions.

[kosmonooit]

Also depends on the terrain: if its dirt roads hard is good, but with softer surface maybe not so hard for better grip, the tyre can flex more.

[Bos]

as long as the "dirtroads" are smooth, because you travel faster on the dirtroads they can really hammer you If there is stutterbumps and or If its longer than 3 hours.

[bradjackson]

LOL, those washboard stutterbumps on dirt roads are really evil, especially on a hardtail.

 

If your teeth are chattering and your vision is blurred from the vibrations then your tyres are too hard for sure!! Softer tyres definitely help on a surface like that.

 

 

[kosmonooit]

Yea but generally softer tyres are slower, so one would try use as a high a pressure as one can, at least I do but no point in getting anal about it.

 

Also what about the rim slipping in the tyre if its too soft huh? especially up hill max force technical bits...

[Bos]

Yea but generally softer tyres are slower' date=' so one would try use as a high a pressure as one can, at least I do but no point in getting anal about it.

 

Also what about the rim slipping in the tyre if its too soft huh? especially up hill max force technical bits...

[/quote']

 

As You said, No need to get anal..

 

As I previously stated:

 

There Is a perception that "high volume" or bigger tires roll slower, but most of the time its only the weight that we feel.

If I had to give a one line answer, Id say run them as soft as possible, just so it doesnt roll off when you stand next to your bike and push it as you would corner holding the front brake.

 

I Have had this discussion with a German Industrial designer who has done work for DT swiss, Specialised Tires, WTB, Rotwild bikes etc, He was BMX world champ in the 80's sometime and still rides the epic- sani etc every Year(he spends his summers in SA). He rides a 7'' bike with one chainring when we go ride tokai and He stays with us just fine. He is strong! The guy has a wealth of knowledge and we were discussing tires over a pint oneday. The very Issue of perception came up,  get on a hardtail and a FS bike of the exact same weight, the FS will feel slower. Even though it is proven over and over that except for weight FS is faster than a 26' HT. the hardtail feels fast cause it gives you so much feedback and you feel every bump..same with tires. (To a large extent ) For most of us the slight extra grips and softer ride will do much more for your time than running a pressure that will rattle your fillings out or bounce around when going up your hill at 'max force"

 

It is also the case with large volume tires and the pressure you run them at. every bump your bike hits regardless of the size. Is a force which works against the forward force, so If your tire conform to the earth and you dont actually go over the bump there is less forward propultion waisted..you with me?

 

Obviously One Uses the "Gray matter" and not run it to soft for the tire to roll of the rim when cornering or destroying your rims in a rock garden.

 

I dont know what youre on about rims slipping inside the tire..never happened to me, but then again I dont push out 1000watts on standing sprints

[NinjaManiak]

 

1. Pump your front tyre hard enough, so that it does not come off the rim in sharp turns.

2. Pump your rear tyre hard enough so that you can't feel the rim hitting rocks and bumps.

 

Over and Out.

[AndreZA]

I dont know what youre on about rims slipping inside the tire..never happened to me' date=' but then again I dont push out 1000watts on standing sprints']

 

 

 

It happens to me and I am no "spier tier". I line up the tyre and rim logos and on the front wheel the tyre has moved a bit backwards, tyre logo starts before rim logo from me using the brakes and on the back wheel the the rim logo starts before the tyre logo because of the rim turning in the tyre when pushing up short hard hills. In 3 months it's moved about 20mm.

[Bos]

I dont know what youre on about rims slipping inside the tire..never happened to me' date=' but then again I dont push out 1000watts on standing sprints']

It happens to me and I am no "spier tier". I line up the tyre and rim logos and on the front wheel the tyre has moved a bit backwards, tyre logo starts before rim logo from me using the brakes and on the back wheel the the rim logo starts before the tyre logo because of the rim turning in the tyre when pushing up short hard hills. In 3 months it's moved about 20mm.

 

 But then again its not like 20mm every 3 moonths is going to make you lose a race 

 

I get you Mamparra, I think Its probably only a issue when youre riding tubes, cause the valves tend to break off. I do recall that happening to me.

I thought He wat talking about Literally slipping as your tire would slip on a wet route.

[AndreZA]

I get you Mamparra' date=' I think Its probably only a issue when youre riding tubes, cause the valves tend to break off. I do recall that happening to me.

 

I thought He wat talking about Literally slipping as your tire would slip on a wet route.[/quote']

 

 

 

I do ride tubes and when I reset the tyres I now use the little valve nut to hold the valve in place.

[Bos]

I get you Mamparra' date=' I think Its probably only a issue when youre riding tubes, cause the valves tend to break off. I do recall that happening to me.

I thought He wat talking about Literally slipping as your tire would slip on a wet route.[/quote']

I do ride tubes and when I reset the tyres I now use the little valve nut to hold the valve in place.

'

Have you tried tube "bliss"

[AndreZA]

Have you tried tube "bliss"

 

 

 

why fix when it's not brokan.

[Bos]

Have you tried tube "bliss"

why fix when it's not brokan.

 

Nooooo!! MamParra you cant have that mentality when were talking bikes man! Tubliss Is the BOMB!!

[AndreZA]

Nooooo!! MamParra you cant have that mentality when were talking bikes man!?Tubliss Is the BOMB!!

 

 

 

rather the devil I know then the devil I don't. I had to help 2 people after the one ran out of sealant and the other just did not want to seal at all.