Tyre pressure

Blackadder
Blackadder Posts: 187
edited August 2009 in MTB general
If i'm riding trails, do I want my tyres pumped up fully, so there's no give when I squeeze them, or just less than that, so there is?

Cheers


Sorry should this be in Workshop & Tech? - Mods feel free to move it! :)

Comments

  • gezzza
    gezzza Posts: 324
    The lower the pressure the more grip and faster the tire will be off road.

    if theres no give when you squeeze them they are far to hard, they need some give
  • Tim.s
    Tim.s Posts: 515
    Its a minefield with a million routes through it im afraid.

    There are so many variables that there is no one answer. Take a pump to the trails with you (preferably with a guage) and just try loads of different combos until you find whats right for you. Then stand by to change it all when the weather changes or you get new tyres.

    A lot of people, myself included will change thier tyre pressures a number of times during one ride.
    "Didn't hurt"
  • bomberesque
    bomberesque Posts: 1,701
    a pump with a pressure guage will help (or a separate hand held gauge)

    the recc'd pressure range will be printed on the side of your tyre, but I usually use 30-35 psi. Too hard and you lose traction and skitter around, too soft and you'll pinch flat all over and the tyres will squirm when cornering. It's a balance and you need to experiment with your setup / trails.

    as gezza says, no give will probably be way too hard, but depends if you have strong fingers or not. Get a gauge.
    Everything in moderation ... except beer
    Beer in moderation ... is a waste of beer

    If riding an XC race bike is like touching the trail,
    then riding a rigid singlespeed is like licking it
    ... or being punched by it, depending on the day
  • _Ferret_
    _Ferret_ Posts: 660
    We've had this thread so often...

    Run them without any air, it will improve your handling skills more!
    Not really active
  • Tim.s
    Tim.s Posts: 515
    _Ferret_ wrote:
    Run them without any air, it will improve your handling skills more!

    If I filled my tyres with Helium, would my bike be lighter?
    "Didn't hurt"
  • robertpb
    robertpb Posts: 1,866
    Tim.s wrote

    If I filled my tyres with Helium, would my bike be lighter?

    Yes it would but when your bike squeaked it would be at a higher pitch :D
    Now where's that "Get Out of Crash Free Card"
  • robertpb
    robertpb Posts: 1,866
    Blackadder wrote:
    If i'm riding trails, do I want my tyres pumped up fully, so there's no give when I squeeze them, or just less than that, so there is?

    Cheers


    Sorry should this be in Workshop & Tech? - Mods feel free to move it! :)

    You need to measure the psi accurately, my Nobby Nics are quite sensitive to just a change of 2-3 psi.

    I'm running them at 23 front 25 back
    Now where's that "Get Out of Crash Free Card"
  • _Ferret_
    _Ferret_ Posts: 660
    I read somewhere that when Helium is at about 30Psi it actually doesn't weigh any less than air...
    Not really active
  • rhyko7
    rhyko7 Posts: 781
    the way i set mine up (rear tyre) is to put all my weight over my thumb on the tyre, and keep putting more air in until i cant bottom the tyre out, this is normally between 35-45 psi depending upon the tyre. i still get an occasaional pinch flat but they are quite rare.
    Dont look at it-ride it! they are tools not f*cking ornaments

    my riding:
    http://www.youtube.com/user/rhyspect

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