Winter Cycling - PSI - how low will you go?

lower psi = better traction in the snow, but I'm curious how low the rest of you go. Do you get to a point of diminishing returns? Obviously you don't want it so low that you'll get pinch flats. I've gone as low as 30 psi on my 32mm Nokians.

I use 7-8 psi.

Not to be flippant, but as long as the rim doesn't bottom out, you're ok. Fat tires can handle lower pressure than skinny ones, which is why a simple PSI measurement doesn't mean much. The tire diameter and width have to be taken into account.

Not to be flippant, but as long as the rim doesn't bottom out, you're ok. Fat tires can handle lower pressure than skinny ones, which is why a simple PSI measurement doesn't mean much. The tire diameter and width have to be taken into account.

this





I run 7-8 psi and do not pinch flat ever. motoring in the woods,
popping off curbs

guess the tire size

Not to be flippant, but as long as the rim doesn't bottom out, you're ok. Fat tires can handle lower pressure than skinny ones, which is why a simple PSI measurement doesn't mean much. The tire diameter and width have to be taken into account.

I realize that tire width comes into account which is why I said I'm riding on 32s. I also realize that you don't want to go so low as to cause pinch flats, - also stated in my original post.

What I'm looking for is the degree to which lowering PSI helps. If I'm not going to notice much difference between 20 psi and 30 psi, when then I'll leave it at 30. If traction improves steadily the lower you go, I'll try some lower pressures.

i run my studded tires rock hard so they penetrate to the pavement

It really does depend on the snow/ice I'm riding on.
Nasty snow storm? Surface roads covered in snow and I'm tracking in tire marks? Then I'll go down to 25-40 depending on depth if I'm surfing on top of the snow and getting afraid of washing out. Hard to pinpoint though, as it really is a case by case thing. I've gone very soft to bomb a toboggan hill safetly, loads of ice on that on.

traction doesn't get much better lower than what you posted

float improves. traction stays the same past a certain point

you runnin those funboy 4inch wide tires on the dbl wide rims?

I'm running an agonizingly slow 40psi on my 2" Nokians. I figure all told, they're supporting a total of 300+ pounds and am in no hurry to venture lower.

you runnin those funboy 4inch wide tires on the dbl wide rims?

yup
endomorphs on large marge rims

wooohoo snow/sand/bog surfer tires