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