| If you're planning to go mountain biking, one of the most | | | | does it run on the dirt track? Does it slide on the |
| basic things you need to be able to do is set your tire | | | | mountain? Does it ride smoothly around corners? Then |
| pressure correctly. A correctly inflated tire gives you | | | | try the same trail again after you've dropped the |
| better control and a smoother rise. If the tire pressure | | | | pressure by 5 psi in each tire. If you find the bike is |
| is too low, however, you're more likely to get a flat tire, | | | | more stable and the grip on the ground has improved, |
| as well as just having to work harder. A high tire | | | | then stick with that pressure. Otherwise, drop the tire |
| pressure makes the bike hard to control and gives you | | | | pressure a little further and try again. Be careful not to |
| a bumpy ride. | | | | go too low, however, or you'll end up with flat tires. A |
| Unfortunately there's no one tire pressure that you | | | | tire goes flat if the tire compresses against an object |
| should use, because it varies according to your | | | | and gets damaged. |
| personal preference, the condition of the tire, the type | | | | If you're using tubeless tires, you might want to start |
| of terrain and the condition of the trail. If you have a | | | | with a lower pressure, such as 30 to 40 psi. With |
| good quality bicycle pump you can regulate your tire | | | | tubeless tires, occasional rim contact isn't a problem |
| pressure, and you also need an accurate gauge for | | | | and the risk of pinch flats is greatly reduced. So it's |
| taking pressure readings. | | | | okay to run on much lower pressures. You still need to |
| Start by inflating the tire to the manufacturer's | | | | be careful not to dent the rims or burp air out from the |
| specifications, and give it a test run. Then you can | | | | bead. If the pressure is too low, you'll see the tire rolling |
| decide what adjustments are required. Always try and | | | | out from under the rim on hard corners. |
| use the same pump and gauge, because using | | | | Check for rolling resistance when you're using lower |
| different gauges may give you different readings. | | | | pressures. This extra rolling resistance means you |
| It's often a good idea to start with the pressure on the | | | | have to work harder, but it improves the level of |
| high side, so around 40-50 psi (3-3.5 bar), then gradually | | | | control and gives better climbing traction. |
| lower the pressure a little at a time until you find the | | | | Cross-country racers want better efficiency rather |
| pressure that best suits your bike. If you're a heavier | | | | than control, however. |
| rider, or carrying extra weight, then you should also | | | | You can always resort to old-fashioned methods and |
| keep the tire pressure a little higher. | | | | give the tire a good squeeze. This is a good way of |
| As you're going on your test ride, carefully observe the | | | | feeling the pressure and determining if air is required. |
| performance of the bike and the tire behavior. How | | | | |