Cyclocross - Michelin Muds

jimbonorth
jimbonorth Posts: 41
edited February 2010 in Amateur race
I'm running a pair of michelin muds and wondered if anyne could recommend a psi for them for racing? As we're now pretty much into the realm of sticky courses I think they'll probably stay at this psi till the end of the season.
I currently run them at about 45-50psi but do often lose traction on offcamber stuff...tyre pressure?

cheers!

Comments

  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    You can probably go a bit lower, but the lower you go, the greater the risk of pinching. A friend used to run his as he would run a tubular. As you can imagine, he flatted out of every race he did not lose through chain drops :(

    I'd make sure that you don't bottom out the tyre, and try for below 40psi. But it is a bit of a risk. Try borrowing someone's tubs just for kicks, to see what it's like :)
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    I run mine around 40. But I'm still experimenting because I'm a complete novice at cross.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • jpembroke
    jpembroke Posts: 2,569
    If you are using clinchers then I'd stick with your current pressure. If you want to go lower you need to think about investing in tubs.
    I'm only concerned with looking concerned
  • Pooter
    Pooter Posts: 68
    45-50 is way too high for clinchers. You need low 30s and ride light - lift the front wheel up if you're going over tree roots, stand up on the pedals for rocky sections etc.

    Try sticking in about 35-40 then let whatever you need out on the warm up lap so they're at the point just before they bottom out.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    anyone run these tubeless?
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
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  • jpembroke
    jpembroke Posts: 2,569
    Pooter wrote:
    45-50 is way too high for clinchers. You need low 30s and ride light - lift the front wheel up if you're going over tree roots, stand up on the pedals for rocky sections etc.

    Try sticking in about 35-40 then let whatever you need out on the warm up lap so they're at the point just before they bottom out.

    Serious? If I ran my clinchers below 30 i'd be getting pinch flats in the first lap. Tubs yes; but clinchers?????
    I'm only concerned with looking concerned
  • MikeWW
    MikeWW Posts: 723
    Running mine about 40
    Lowest I can go without flatting
    www.lichfieldccc.org.uk
  • Monowai
    Monowai Posts: 329
    Depends on your weight ultimately. 30 if you are super skinny, but min. 38-40psi if you are of normal build. Obviously the lower you go, the much higher chance of flatting.
    Cake makes me happy
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I run clincher cross tyres as low as 30 psi, but I only weight 63kg - but I was still slipping all over the place at my last race - I run tubs even lower. It really depends on conditions and knowing what pressures to run.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • 100%
    100% Posts: 236
    I've managed to get a set of 34mm Vittoria XG Pro clinchers down at around 25 PSI without pinch flatting, I'm not super light either. I have run the 32s to the point of nearly rolling of the rim. Depends a lot on the conditions/terrain.

    I suspect that it's due to some fairly heavy duty specialized tubes that I have, although I have heard that the Challenge Latex innertubes are good - light weight and maintain puncture resistance.

    Cheers,
    Steve

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