Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

tire pressure for AZ XC and trail riding?

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 29 Posts

BigBadConrad

· Eleven - it's one louder
Joined
·
115 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I ride mostly Phoenix area trails at the moment (McDowell Mt. Park, SM Desert Classic, Pima & Dynamite, etc.) on a hardtail, 26" wheels, 2.1" tires w/tubes. I used to ride higher pressures (60+ psi) but recently have been running about 40 psi in rear and 38 in front. While I don't have numbers to back it up, I feel like I'm a little slower overall with the softer tires - especially on the hardpack - but have better control on rocks and sand and probably ride those sections a little faster with the lower pressure. Overall, I like the 38/40 setup, bounce around a lot less, and surprisingly have not flatted once yet with it (probably just jinxed that!).

A guy at a bike shop told me today that he and his co-workers never go below 40 psi unless they are DHing, and commented that he thinks tubeless is over-hyped and wouldn't recommend it as there's no need to go lower than 40 in Phoenix unless you're DHing, freeriding, etc. I was surprised by this, having seen posts here of people running tires in the teens and 20's.

What are your thoughts on tire pressure and tubes for 26" wheels on these types of trails? Please discuss.

Thanks,
BBC
 
#3 ·
I ride with 2.1 Continental Explorers at 40+ on a full suspension, ride the same trails and as a matter of fact I was bombing down the Bluff trail today and took a left turn a little fast and squeezed the Deore LX brakes firmly and the back tire slid to the right, never coming out from under me and I let go when the bike was headed in the right direction, the bike snapped to and off I went. With all of the travel we ride with i dont see any need, anything lower unless your riding on serious techy rocky trails, IMHO.....
 
#4 ·
I ride around 35-40 front and back. I wouldn't recommend going below 30 for dh cause if you're riding true az downhill with lots of rocks, then your likely to get a big dent in the rim or pinch flat if you're below 30. I say this based on actual experience, not just a guess of what might happen.
 
#6 ·
I run 38-40 in both tires.... not that anal about the exact pressure.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #8 · (Edited)
Thanks for the feedback. I should add that I weigh 190 lbs. and my only bike for now is a very old school Wicked Fat Chance with a 2" travel fork up front, so don't have much travel like Hardcore Ken. We ALL rode 60-75 psi - with a rigid front fork! - 'back in the day'. :thumbsup: Soft tires are the best suspension I have right now. Looking forward to getting a 4" or 5" XC or trail bike next year (my lower back will probably appreciate it), but will always keep, ride and love the Wicked in all its pure handmade chromoly steel mountain biking goodness :)
 
#9 ·
I don't like 2.1 tires with too little pressure. I think a pinch flat will occur. But, 2.35 should be okay around 32psi. Much better than 60psi! Just make sure the tires are tough and have tread. Otherwise a spin out will suck, especially climbing cardiac hill in Hawes!
 
#10 ·
On my 29er hardtail I ride with 25 psi in my tires with tubes. I have not pinch flat yet with this setup. I think it gives me a more comfortable ride. I have hit a rock a few times that it felt like the rim made contact with the ground, but still no flat. If I run any higher than 30psi I have traction issues, not to mention the tires feel too stiff.
 
#11 ·
BigBadConrad said:
A guy at a bike shop told me today that he and his co-workers never go below 40 psi unless they are DHing, and commented that he thinks tubeless is over-hyped and wouldn't recommend it as there's no need to go lower than 40 in Phoenix unless you're DHing, freeriding, etc. BBC
Click to expand...
The statement from the guy at the bike shop is "ridiculous"...switching over to UST (tubeless) with Stan's (or some other equivilent sealant) is the best change you can make on your existing ride. It will not only improve your ride because you will be able run at a lower PSI (around 28-32), but will also end the constant frustration of flatting out, whether a pinch or the billion thorns you pick up on every trail you mentioned. I haven't had to use a tube in two years! I run Panaracer Fire XC Pro UST 2.1 and sometimes Kenda SB8 UST 2.1.

I only XC trail ride and before switching to tubeless, I had to run about 55psi (for over 10 years) to keep from pinching. At 55psi, you are all over the trail, losing energy with every stroke. At 28-32psi, you are smoothly rolling over all the little rocks that throw you around at 50+psi.

You will love the UST ride at 28-32psi and you'll be faster...IMHO:)
 
#12 ·
BigBadConrad said:
A guy at a bike shop told me today that he and his co-workers never go below 40 psi unless they are DHing, and commented that he thinks tubeless is over-hyped and wouldn't recommend it as there's no need to go lower than 40 in Phoenix unless you're DHing, freeriding, etc. I was surprised by this, having seen posts here of people running tires in the teens and 20's.
Thanks,
BBC
Click to expand...
What bike shop was it so I know to avoid it? Tubeless is the only way to go IMHO. I'm 185, ride a hard tail mostly and run about 30 psi tubeless.
 
#13 ·
skinny-tire said:
What bike shop was it so I know to avoid it? Tubeless is the only way to go IMHO. I'm 185, ride a hard tail mostly and run about 30 psi tubeless.
Click to expand...
Totally agree with Skinny. I'm about 170 lbs, which includes full camelback and gear, and I run 30 psi F/R tubeless, both HT and FS bikes. No issues...ever. The comment by the bike shop dude is contrary to LOTS of S. Arizona MTB experience.

Bob
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#15 ·
bike shope dude needs to put down the pipe. Seriously, which shop? I run 28-30 on all my bikes running tubeless, which is probably more than most folks. Tubeless is not the silver bullet, but far better than tubes. When i ran tubes it was 35ish psi.
 
#18 ·
For a bontrager 29 superstock is stan"s the best way to go? If so do you really need an air compressor just to seat the bead? I'm considering dumping the slime tubes for the advantage of lower psi and better traction is is that a good move?
 
#19 ·
h2ojunkie said:
Yeah 30-35 tubed or tubeless is pretty good for most of the trails out here.
Click to expand...
I weigh about 160, ride a FS Specialized Epic (set up super stiff), and maybe it's just my riding style, but I wouldn't last 300 yards without a pinch flat on a rocky trail "tubed" at 30-35psi. If you XC ride hard over and through the rocks, IMHO you need to be tubeless at about 30psi or running 50+psi with tubes.
 
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
About this Discussion
28 Replies
21 Participants
Last post:
Noodlemaster
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion