Recommended tire pressure for Heckler trail rider?

2.1 is an awfully narrow tire for a trail bike. I'm 165lb and I ride my XL Heckler with 2.35 Nevegals summer, and 2.4 Enduro Pros fall/winter. 26-28 psi for the rooty/rocky/slippery stuff we got in the Pac NW area. 30-34psi when I'm riding where snake bites might be a problem. If you are running 2.1's because you are worred about 'sluggish' response, you bought the wrong bike for the type of trails you're riding.

We most likely don't have as knarly terain here in east Texas as the Pac NW (your lucky) but the Heckler is still a fun bike to ride around here on fast slowy single track. I built mine up a little lighter for that reason hence the 2.1's. They seem to give good enough traction. I'm just trying to get a grip on how tire pressure effects the ride.

No worries about pinch flats around here so I run low pressure for maximum traction. I have 2.1 Nevegals (StickE) on a GT i-Drive and 30-32psi works fine at my weight. Don't notice any disadvantage in terms of rolling resistance.

The answer is always this: "the lowest you can run without getting an annoying number of pinch flats."

30-35 psi, maybe a bit lower if you're not getting airborne a lot.

30-35 psi is about what I was thinking. Another question for you Heckler riders: How well do your Hecklers seem to pedal? I'm running a stock RP23 (light valved for comp and reb). I'm about 190-195 with gear and have sag set at about a little over a half inch (maybe 25%). I still feel like I get quite a bit of bob when seated and pedaling. I didn't recently noticed when I rode my other trail bike (5" maestro) and it seemed to pedal a lot better. Is it more likely the way I have the Heckler set up or a characteristic of the single pivot. From all the research I had done the Heckler was rated as a great trailbike so I assume it is a good pedaling bike even though a single pivot.

I'm pretty happy with the way my Heckler pedals with an RP23. I do noticed a little movement when the propedal is switched off, but in propedal 1 it is totally eliminated. I weigh 160lbs, so the suspension movement may be a little more pronounced for you. I usually leave the propedal off anyway because I prefer the traction and comfort over absolute efficiency. And if the trail is rocky, I think its more efficient overall w/o propedal anyways.

For tire pressure I pretty much agree with this statement "the lowest you can run without getting an annoying number of pinch flats." But for me, with a 2.1, that would be 50 psi !

thirdnipple said:

I'm pretty happy with the way my Heckler pedals with an RP23. I do noticed a little movement when the propedal is switched off, but in propedal 1 it is totally eliminated. I weigh 160lbs, so the suspension movement may be a little more pronounced for you. I usually leave the propedal off anyway because I prefer the traction and comfort over absolute efficiency. And if the trail is rocky, I think its more efficient overall w/o propedal anyways.

For tire pressure I pretty much agree with this statement "the lowest you can run without getting an annoying number of pinch flats." But for me, with a 2.1, that would be 50 psi !

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If you are 160lbs what psi are you running in your rp23?

120 psi for trail riding, that seems to keep it fairly soft., I haven't checked the sag in a long time but I think that puts it at about 30%.

I run a DHX coil on mine. With the propedal setting on maximum I hardly have any pedal bob.

y0bailey said:

The answer is always this: "the lowest you can run without getting an annoying number of pinch flats."

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And lose the pinch flats by running tubeless! :thumbsup:

Red PeeKay said:

And lose the pinch flats by running tubeless! :thumbsup:

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True that...then the rule changes slightly: Run the lowest pressure you can without burps and rim contact.

As for the bob problem....a lot of it will go away as you adjust to the bike. I notice almost no bob with my DHX5 coil and no pro-pedal clicks. You will learn to adjust your peddling style to minimize bob.

y0bailey said:

True that...then the rule changes slightly: Run the lowest pressure you can without burps and rim contact.

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Errrr, just cut out the soft drinks and don't wear tight underpants to fix those two problems he he he