| Tire pressure is a very important facet of riding any | | | | the mountain, and how it hooks in the corners. If you |
| kind of bike, including mountain bikes. By learning how | | | | have too much tire pressure, then drop it in increments |
| to set the tire pressure, you can give yourself more | | | | of 5 psi in both tires. If the bike gains grip and is more |
| control and help to make the ride down the mountain | | | | stable at this tire pressure, then you will want to keep it |
| smoother. If the tire pressure is too low, then you will | | | | at this standard pressure. If not, then you will continue |
| find that it is much harder to cycle and it can increase | | | | dropping the tire pressure in small increments and |
| the chance of a flat, too. Tire pressure that is too high | | | | redoing the test until your bike rides the way you want |
| can make your ride very bumpy and out of control, as | | | | and need it to. |
| well. | | | | If you want to determine the lowest possible tire |
| Tire pressure can vary from person to person, | | | | pressure, then gradually decrease the tire pressure until |
| because it is dependent upon the personal preference | | | | you see how it feels when you ride on almost flat tires. |
| of the bicycler, the tire's condition, and the terrain that | | | | This will help you to learn how it feels so that you can |
| you will be riding on. The tire pressure can be easily | | | | keep your tubes from getting damaged. |
| modified simply by using a high quality pump on the | | | | If your mountain bike tires are tubeless, then you will |
| tires. A tire pressure gauge is also an essential part of | | | | want to stay with a lower tire pressure. The advised |
| keeping your tires at the optimum pressure. | | | | tire pressure for tubeless tires is between 30 and 40 |
| The manufacturer of the tire will have a | | | | psi. This is because tubeless tires experience fewer |
| recommended tire pressure for your particular tires | | | | pinch flats and even rim contact occasionally is okay. |
| and this is where you can start. You can then adjust | | | | This is why you can ride on tires with a much lower |
| the tire pressure as needed from there. It is best to | | | | tire pressure than normal. If the tire pressure is too low, |
| use the same tire pressure gauge and pump when | | | | you will find that if you are cornering hard that the tire |
| you check your tires, because you may get different | | | | will roll under the rim. |
| readings depending upon the tire pressure gauge that | | | | Another thing that you need to be on the lookout for is |
| you choose. | | | | rolling resistance. The increased rolling resistance will |
| A good rule of thumb is to start with a higher tire | | | | take more effort, but it will offer you greater control |
| pressure for your bike. This means that you want to | | | | and better traction to allow you to climb easier. For |
| be around 40-50 psi (3-3.5 bar), and then lower the tire | | | | racers who race cross-country, they would rather |
| pressure a little at a time to find which tire pressure is | | | | have a more efficient bike versus greater control, so |
| best for your particular bike, terrain, and yourself. If you | | | | you have to take into consideration what kind of biking |
| are a little heavier, then you will want to use a higher | | | | that you will be doing. |
| tire pressure for sure. | | | | Using your hand to squeeze the tire will help you |
| Taking a test bike ride is the best way to check the | | | | determine what the right tire pressure feels like so that |
| tire pressure. You will want to notice how the tire | | | | you do not have to rely so much on the tire pressure |
| behaves, how it rides on the terrain, how it slides down | | | | gauge. |