Tire Pressure makes a huge difference

mantis

I was considering new tires due to a lot of slipping around corners in slightly muddy conditions. Even in dry dirt, I felt that the back tire would get away from me.

I was riding with 55 lbs and sometimes 50 lbs of tire pressure front and rear. Today I wanted to try something different. I lowered my pressure to 45 lbs and lowered my seat just about 1 inch. man what a difference in control. I went threw some mud on an angle and my bike cut right threw it. The bike felt tighter but loser. It had give which made it feel tighter. Hard to explain but if you experienced this , you know what I'm talking about.
My tires are Tioga Extreme 2.10 in the front and 1.95 in the rear. I was looking at the Tioga White tigers but I think I' am holding off until I play with these some more.
Today was the best control I ever had over my bike and man was it fun. My experience , well I'm still a rookie. I have now rode 200 miles on and off road. I just started riding about 3 months ago.

Dan

ND13

nevermind it's a bike

george daniel

Pressure and temp's--just ask those nascar boys,, bike?? nevermind

MacLeod

Ive never been a big proponent of having the seat 12 feet in the air. I keep mine fairly low as well and think it gives me better control.

As for tire pressure, I run in the mid to upper 40's. Thats where I feel they perform the best. Mine are WTB Velociraptors. They flat tear up some dirt but create a ton of drag on the street. When they wear out Ill be getting more of an all terrain tread as I do a lot of on road riding as well.

faster100

if there could possibly be a way to make anything "more" then what it was.. its internet forums..

Its a bike, ride it.. I have a cheapo walmart mountain bike, with fork suspension.. it works great, i ride miles and miles with my little girl in back, LOL.. last ride we went 7 miles .. i used to pull both girls in a burley bike trailer 6 miles one way to the park, girls, trailer and lunch weighed in at around 80 -90 lbs.. no fancy bike, tires and a load. only thing i bought for it was a bike computer, gel seat and seat pouch.. to carry my cell phone and keys.. after school go's back in session i'll start rideing again. great cardio, i drop weight and build leg muscle like crazy doing this... no off road for me, im in the city and only have dirt alleys to ride down

nadams

When riding in the city, you want to keep your tire pressures up, for less rolling resistance.

Faster- are you saying that noone should ever vary their tire pressures and seat height? Seat height plays a HUGE roll in how comfortable you are on the bike, how much control you have, and how much power you can get out of those legs... Tire pressure makes a huge difference in control, sticking to the path, and not killing yourself on every corner.

You are obviously someone who speaks from no offroad experience, as you said yourself.

faster100

I'm saying its common sense to set your seat and tires at what's comfortable to you.. NOt rocket science is it? obviously you run harder tires on pavement, and softer in dirt or when you want more bite, thats why sand runners run their tires almost flat or drag racers run slicks soft to get better bite. I have rode for years but am no expert, I just think we can make simple things more complex then they need... no offense intended!!!:)

jeremie

i run my tubeless wheel set at 38 psi in front and 34 in back.

mantis

Didn't intend to start a flame war about tire pressure or bike stuff.

Like I said , I thought my tires sucked until I started playing around with tire pressure. I'm new to mountain biking and the tires say 35 to 65 lbs so I wasn't sure where to be. I assumed 65 would be great for high speed and 35 would be good for off road tech riding. I had mine at 50 and 55 and found I hated both pressures. 45 works great for the riding I do.

Dan