MTB Tire Pressure

[WoodCore]

Obviously this will vary for numerous reasons but what tire pressure do you typically run on your MTB?

 

[o3jeff]

Around 37.

 

[bvibert]

It depends on how anxious I am to change a pinch flat. I like around 35, but it's usually more like 40 to help keep the pinch flats down...

 

[RootDKJ]

I run around 40+ as well

 

[Greg]

Started with 37 this season. Going to probably soften them a bit.

 

[JD]

30psi, but I run 2.3s.

 

[RootDKJ]

Besides from "pinch flats" what are the advantages of running at a lower psi?

 

[Greg]

Besides from "pinch flats" what are the advantages of running at a lower psi?

Better traction, but more rolling resistance. And lower PSI is not an advantage in terms of pitch flats. They are more likely at lower pressures. It's a trade-off. I'm light so I can get away with lower 30's. A big guy like Brian is going to pinch flat at the same PSI that works fine for me.

 

[o3jeff]

Besides from "pinch flats" what are the advantages of running at a lower psi?

Better traction

 

[RootDKJ]

Better traction, but more rolling resistance. And lower PSI is not an advantage in terms of pitch flats. They are more likely at lower pressures. It's a trade-off. I'm light so I can get away with lower 30's. A big guy like Brian is going to pinch flat at the same PSI that works fine for me.

Better traction

Cool, thanks. When I first started biking, I was getting them all the time until I raised up my psi.

 

[marcski]

I run 2.35"s at 40 psi. I get plenty of traction....and like the firmer feel. When I ride in the winter...in snow and/or some ice...I will lower the pressure some...but that is rare....where I actually lower the pressure.

 

[rueler]

I usually run 35 psi...but, could easily go much lower because I run a tubeless set-up...the trails have been really dry lately so I have been running around 40 psi so I can roll a bit faster.

 

[bvibert]

I usually run 35 psi...but, could easily go much lower because I run a tubeless set-up...the trails have been really dry lately so I have been running around 40 psi so I can roll a bit faster.

Do you have a UST setup?

 

[rueler]

Do you have a UST setup?

Yeah...one of my tubeless wheel set-ups is definitely UST...the other probably is too!

 

[gorgonzola]

35ish w/ tubes

 

[Greg]

I rode Friday night and checked pressure on Saturday for the first time in a few weeks and I was well below 30. :-o Luckily, I didn't pinch flat, but I only brought it up to 35.

 

[Marc]

Aside from better traction, riding with lower pressure will generally be conducive to NOT bouncing off every rock and root in the trail. Usually you'll have, or at least feel like you have, better control.

I ride around 35. I could probably get away with lower, but since I have softie full suspension and I abso-fing-lutely hate changing flats on the trail, I'll stay there.

 

[Talisman]

I could probably get away with lower, but since I have softie full suspension and I abso-fing-lutely hate changing flats on the trail, I'll stay there.

I run at ~35 to 28 PSIG to avoid pinch flats. My typical pinch flats come from a slow leak from a thorn early in the ride to a flat while biting flies are at their worst. Fixing flats is fun in a well lit area with cold beer and no deer flies. Kneeling in the mud with a swarm of mosquitos as night falls while fixing the flat is another story.

 

[bvibert]

Interesting study on rolling resistance off-road:

http://www.bicicletta.co.za/Downloadable docs/Rolling Resistance Eng illustrated.pdf

Fat tires and low pressure seem like the way to go. :beer:

 

[Greg]

Interesting study on rolling resistance off-road:

http://www.bicicletta.co.za/Downloadable docs/Rolling Resistance Eng illustrated.pdf

Fat tires and low pressure seem like the way to go. :beer:

I found these sentences amusing:

The rougher the ground, the greater the advantage, as the data obtained on grass proves.

...but the rougher the ground, the greater the effect, as the grassy ground shows.

:blink: I never thought of grass as being "rough ground"... :lol: