tyre pressures ??

what tyre pressures are the best to have the bike set at? i know the answer can go both sides of the fence on this one getting ready for my first ride out with you guys on a sunday work permitting

Dave.

I've done extensive research into the optimum research for riding round Woburn. I pump up my tyres until they feel mostly a bit squishy, but not too squishy. Avoid bouncy, and try and aim for somewhere slightly firmer than spongey. Hope this helps!



In all seriousness, just go with whatever feels right. I generally push down hard with the heel of my hand on top of the tyre and look to depress the tyre by about a third with my body weight. I guess that probably equates to about thirty something psi? I'll run big fat tubeless 2.35 tyres on wide rims softer though, and skinny tubed ones a bit harder.

I agree with Jase,

I pump my tyres up till I can just push the tread in a bit with my thumb, then it's about right. You want the tread to deform a little bit around roots etc, so you get the most of the grip.

Too hard and your wheels will be skitting about all over the place. Ride behind some people and you'll see what I mean.

But,... you don't want your tyres so soft that you ride around thinking you've got a puncture..

Bit of a late reply (I don't look at this forum enough!)

I think it depends on your riding style and your weight.

I weigh 82kg and tend to run 2.7~2.8 bar (that's 40psi). If you're quite light, then you can run a bit less than this (2.5 bar / 35psi). I tried this but ended up with pinch punctures quite a lot. Above 3bar (44psi) I find that tyres tend to lose too much grip.

Note that pressure gauges on track pumps tend to be really inaccurate - but that doesn't matter as long as the gauge is consistent and you know what's good for you!

i think a lot of it is down to the trak as i got 8 puncers in scotland last year
when i was in grizdale i still got 3 punchers but when i am riding on sand i do not get one .
i run at 35 psi ...

woody1200 wrote:
i think a lot of it is down to the trak as i got 8 puncers in scotland last year
when i was in grizdale i still got 3 punchers but when i am riding on sand i do not get one .
i run at 35 psi ...

35 psi in Scotland!!!!! Only after we ganged up and promised to lynch you by your nuts from the nearest tree

Tyre pressures depend on a number of things, terrain, tyre size, tube or tubeless.

I run tubeless, therefore can generally run lower pressures. Plus I like lots of grip on the rear tyre, so run under 30. On my DH bike I'm well above 40 as the terrain is harsher and rocky, therefore more prone to pinch flats.

But for Woburn, I would pitch for something around 35 if you have a decent strength tube in there.

Hope it helps.

Nath

do people have firmer tyre pressures in the winter with the mud and boggier conditions (to slice through the mud)? Or keep with the same pressures all year round? I am running on N. Nics which i am not sold on - but seem to be OK in the mud but lose traction on roots.

I'm running Nobby Niks with 'no tubes' at around 35psi. I reckon you want pressure lower for grip in mud and on roots. Might be switching to Bonty Mud X UST for the winter though.

Dunno how I managed 2 of the same posts!

I used to run Nobbies at around 35psi but found I was pinging off things & sliding off roots. Also found they washed out on the front alarmingly with little or no warning when going into corners agressively. However over the summer I tried dropping them 10psi each ride just to see how low I could get away with.

Now being a shortarse I don't weight that much and found I could get away with around 25psi without puncturing. The traction also improved greatly. I'm not suggesting anyone else would like to go that low but 28/30psi maybe worth thinking about. After all whats to loose? a punture or two until you find what works best.

Lg