Mountain Biking - Tire size / psi / Rider weight / Terrain

I snicker now and then when I read magazine articles recommending a tire pressure with no regard to terrain and rider weight. I don't know what the weight for a mountain biker is, but at 195-200#...I know that the recommended pressures that I read are not enough. I was perusing an article about the Kenda Nevegal one day and the reviewer wrote that the "best pressure for this tire" was in the neighborhood of 32psi. How can that apply to everyone? A 270# rider would be sitting on rim!


So...what's your tire size / psi / rider weight / terrain?



I'm usually ballin 2.3-2.4" 26'ers at 38psi. As I said, I weigh around 195 in the summer. I ride Kansas singletrack with quite a few rocks and roots as well as some smooth terrain.

When I go downtown, I bump the pressure up to at least 42psi b/c the square edges of stairs like to eat rims.

2.5f, 2.3r, both at ~ 30-33 psi, and tubeless, rocky terrain with drops ect, full suspension

2.2f&r f: 35psi, r: 40psi singletrack, some rocks and more technical sections, but nothin crazy full suspension

29x 1.9 f&r f:40psi, r: 45-50 psi, smoother single track, rull rigid bike

im ~ 160 lbs

My weight is probably 175 with all the crap I carry on my back. Damp-30 up front in 2.35 Kinetics, 35 out back in 2.1 WTB V-raptors. Dry and dusty, 35-40 (depends where I'm riding) up front, 40-5 out back. Urban stuff, 40 up front (never know when you're going to drop in on some gravel or mulch) 50 out back.

I'm 140#s plus a backpack full of water and tools. I usually ride about 25 PSI (2.3 in front, 2.1 in back) on really rocky/rooty terrain. Sometimes I bump it up to 35 if I'm doing a lot of climbing on a relatively smooth trail.

I've got Fire XC front and rear both 2.1. 45 rear 35 front, because I hate understeer. my weight is 155# and I go for the trail rides with lots of climbing and lots of techy fast downhill.

185# with all my gear. Rigid. 2.1 Panaracer Fire rear, 2.4 Panaracer Fire Front. 35psi rear / 28psi front. Have never pinch flatted on this setup, even on rocky terrain with wheelie drops. There have been a couple hits where I just "knew" it was gonna pinch flat... nope.

I don't know much about the supposed Anti-Snakebite Chamfer that Panaracer uses for their tires, but something is working well here.

My bikes have 2.25-2.5 inch tires, various models of WTB, Schwalbe and Pacenti, usually run somewhere between 25-33 lbs depending on terrain, lower part of that range for the bigger tires unless extremely rocky. I weigh 200 plus gear.

Vis-a-vis Ed's point re: terrain:

I tend to roll out with my tires over-inflated, and back off PSI as the current conditions require.

I'm a fat guy, so i start out at 45, knowing i'm gonna end up somewhere just under 40. Minus around 10psi on my 29"x2.55s.

If i'm taking the knobbies to the pavement, i inflate to the max labeled on the rubber.

-rob

ps this thread makes an excellent point. reviews/article talking about optimal tire pressure are basically worthless

I'm 180 and ride 35-40 in the front 2.25 and 40 to 45 on the rear 2.0 ... on a full suspension bike

I could probably run less if I wanted, but I like the fast rolling and no worries on pinch flats.

I'm about 105, probably 112 with backpack and tools. I ride mostly cross country, like to do big climbs with long downhills. Usually start with firm tires (~35 lbs.) and the rear shock between 100 and 150 (no lockout), then let everything exhale for the downhill run. Probably run 20 lbs. or less in the tires going downhill, they have to be really soft at my weight or I can't get traction for braking and turns. Cannondale Jeckyl, FS, 26 X 2.25's on it now.

I roll on a 26 in the back and a 20 up front. The rear is a 1.5 at 60psi and the front is a 3.2 at 12psi.

buncha skinny monkeys!

235#'s plus gear

currently riding panracer fire xc's 2.1 front and rear at about 48psi on a hardtail zaskar

-all geared up w/rigid KM on shoulder = 275# +/-

-tubeless WTB WW LT 29"x2.55" front@35psi
-tubeless WTB Stout 29"x2.3" rear@40psi

-big bad pointy rocks of the Rockies.



*Sidewall tears are my main issue. I've felt/heard rock-rim collisions here & there, but the ghetto goop has done its job...........so far.

I ride 2.3 at around 30psi, and I am 170 - 175.

I think I am probably sitting just under 250lbs ATM. I run mine at about 40-45 when out on the same KS single track that Ed was talking about. When I go bomb around campus they are at 65.

Edit That is with tires ranging form 2.1 to 2.35.

Wow, I'm never over 30 PSI Tubeless, and often under twenty. 150lb's plus gear

weigh 165, 26 x 1.95

I run 32 - 35 for off roading and for going around on it i run 65. Though I tried running 65 a few weeks ago for singletrack, something completely different.

I weigh 195 and no clue what my tire pressure is as long as I don't feel the pebbles on the ground( could be the case with over or under inflated tires) I am good.
Me and my riding buddies are like stupid teenagers coming down the mountain, it's a sight to see. :D:roflmao2:

I snicker now and then when I read magazine articles recommending a tire pressure with no regard to terrain and rider weight. I don't know what the weight for a mountain biker is, but at 195-200#...I know that the recommended pressures that I read are not enough. I was perusing an article about the Kenda Nevegal one day and the reviewer wrote that the "best pressure for this tire" was in the neighborhood of 32psi. How can that apply to everyone? A 270# rider would be sitting on rim!


So...what's your tire size / psi / rider weight / terrain?



I'm usually ballin 2.3-2.4" 26'ers at 38psi. As I said, I weigh around 195 in the summer. I ride Kansas singletrack with quite a few rocks and roots as well as some smooth terrain.

When I go downtown, I bump the pressure up to at least 42psi b/c the square edges of stairs like to eat rims.


Ed, I go 260-270 lbs and regularly run 32psi rear and 30psi front on Fat Alberts (rear) with a Big Betty front and have never had a flat of any type. On my 29er I generally run around 30psi on Saguaro rear and Rampage front. Again, no issues. I do tend to ride "light". I lift the front on square edged hits and unweight the rear as it rolls. I do not ride on the rim at all. When I was a newb I regularly inflated them much higher and got bounced around, so I lowered the psi as I got better....

-all geared up w/rigid KM on shoulder = 275# +/-

-tubeless WTB WW LT 29"x2.55" front@35psi
-tubeless WTB Stout 29"x2.3" rear@40psi

-big bad pointy rocks of the Rockies.

Rear is now being replaced w/a Maxxis Crossmark as the latest Stout only survived 10 rides (about 275 miles)
110352
It's not a tumor!

160lbs
2.3 Nevegal Front at 45psi
2.1 WTB Velociraptor Rear at 50psi
Typical New England roots, rocks, small drops (1 foot or so).

I haven't pinch flated in a LONG, LONG time so I probably am running far too much tire pressure.

tire size: ranges from 2.1-2.5

psi: ranges from 28 (sloppy steeps on dual ply sticky rubber) to 36 (railing smooth hardpack on semi-slick)

rider weight: 240

Let's not forget that rim width also factors into the equation. And to all you noobs and hacks who run these outrageously high tire pressures: you don't know what you're missing.

Tire Size: 1.9-1.95 (I like e'm skinny) Kenda Kosmic Lites I think is what I have on there now.
PSI: 45-55 (depending on trail and conditions)
Weight: 165-170
Trail: Pretty Smooth single track, some rooty areas, no drops.

Tires: 2.1 Panaracer Fire or Small Block 8
PSI: 35 or less
Weight 160-165
Trails: Rocks, roots and a little dirt...

Instead of answering this question, I'm going to ask one- because I recently started mountain biking, and am not sure.

I weigh 110#, and my tires are 2.1.
Ride single track: rooty, rocks, small drops, little sandy here and there...

so, what PSI?

2.1 front and rear.

150 lbs

40 PSI in back and 35 PSI in front.

Ride in Phoenix AZ... very rocky terrain and anything less results in bent rims (this is tubeless and I still require higher PSI).

I don't know if I am a hard rider or what but anything less (while the traction is awesome) and I go through rims like candy.

Fluctuating between 206-210lbs

26x2.14 WTB Mutano Raptors - hardpack and a fast trail, I'll run 40; lots of climbing/rock gardens, roots 35-37psi, depending on the conditions. I don't ride this rig, urban, I have a dedicated commuter for that.

I suppose I should add East Coast conditions, none of that sandy stuff and goatheads you get out West.

Let's not forget that rim width also factors into the equation. And to all you noobs and hacks who run these outrageously high tire pressures: you don't know what you're missing.

Given what I'm reading here I'm going to go a lot softer on my ride tomorrow. I may not be a noob but I'm most definitely a hack. :)

I am 145 or 155-160lbs geared up. I ride smooth singletrack and some with lots of roots and rocks. I love rock gardens. I like to try and pop off of everything I can find. My rims are 30mm wide and I use tubes. When I run my Mutano Raptor 2.4, I use about 30-32psi. If I switch to my Prowler MX 2.3 and Stout 2.3 combo, I run a bit lower because of the slightly thicker sidewalls, 26-28psi. I have gone as low as 20 on certain occasions and was once down around 7psi in deep snow. Never have had a pinch flat.

Im a dj biker so run between 32-36 psi, Im also really light, im 5.10 weighing in at 143, But still growing.

165 lbs, 2.25 intense Sys 4 (running tubeless) on an Epic comp, 30 lbs front, 34 lbs rear. Ridden on rocky, dusty, sandy, very dry fireroad and singletrak
They still feel plenty hard to me, but not bouncy and ride just fine on assfault.

Man I'm jealous of the low pressures here. 210# rider weight. 38# rear 2.35". 35# front 2.4". Rocky, rooty and drops too. Heavier duty tubes (not DH). Very rare pinch flat, usually on a drop. Maybe I need to lose a pound or two or ten.

Tires: 29x2.2 Specialized Capt. Control (tubeless on Arch rims)
PSI: 22 front/26 rear

Tires: 26x2.0 Specialized Capt. Control (tubeless on Mavic 819)
PSI: 32 front/35 rear

Terrain: Mostly smooth single track, some rocks, some roots, brake ruts :mad: I don't jump, take drops, etc. I'm an XC'er

Weight: 200 lbs is safe - 190 towards end of summer, 205 towards spring

Instead of answering this question, I'm going to ask one- because I recently started mountain biking, and am not sure.

I weigh 110#, and my tires are 2.1.
Ride single track: rooty, rocks, small drops, little sandy here and there...

so, what PSI?

The developing take home message in this thread seems to be to run MTB tires at relatively low pressure offroad. It's hard to quote an exact figure because ideally, you'll vary it according to terrain, riding surface, and the type of tires you have. With the kind of riding you describe and being near my weight- as a rule of thumb I'll keep the tires soft enough to push them in about a quarter inch using FIRM pressure of a finger. On my tires that's not much more than 20 lbs. You want them soft enough to get good contact in the rough stuff, but firm them up for road or other hard surface riding or your bike will feel like an anchor. I write this assuming you aren't carrying a heavy load on the bike when you ride; otherwise taking my advice will lead to pinch flats and bent rims!

The developing take home message in this thread seems to be to run MTB tires at relatively low pressure offroad. It's hard to quote an exact figure because ideally, you'll vary it according to terrain, riding surface, and the type of tires you have. With the kind of riding you describe and being near my weight- as a rule of thumb I'll keep the tires soft enough to push them in about a quarter inch using FIRM pressure of a finger. On my tires that's not much more than 20 lbs. You want them soft enough to get good contact in the rough stuff, but firm them up for road or other hard surface riding or your bike will feel like an anchor. I write this assuming you aren't carrying a heavy load on the bike when you ride; otherwise taking my advice will lead to pinch flats and bent rims!Thanks for the input! This thread has been incredibly useful- as a road rider, I can't imagine running on tires that soft, but its clear the 55 I have been putting in is quite high. I'll work my way down until I find the right fit.

26x2.35/25-30psi up front, 33psi in the back for rough terrain. 35 psi up front and 40 in the back for hardpack. 195 at the moment.

Tires: 2.1 Panaracer Fire F 2.1 Nevegal R
PSI: 40 F 35-40 R
Weight 135
Trails: Lots of roots, climbs, technical... biggest drops 3 or 4 feet, nothing insane. I also need to ride to trails, so no crazy low pressure.

I should have qualified my earlier post by saying I have full suspension, which means I can run lower tire pressures than I would risk with a hardtail.

edit: Got called away and left that dangling. Meant to say with my dual suspension softened up (say, 50 lbs. in the rear shock, the front is an elastomer) I feel more confident running lower tire pressures because the suspension takes some of the impact off the tires. On my old hardtail, running the rear at 20 lbs. made me a bit nervous for my rim.

I should have qualified my earlier post by saying I have full suspension, which means I can run lower tire pressures than I would risk with a hardtail.

Huh?

I am running WTB V-raptors. I am now down to 125lbs from 160. But being a fat *****. My rear has been set at 50 and my front at 40-45.

*bump*

215# on a FS MTB

Maxxis Crossmark (http://www.maxxis.com/Bicycle/Mountain/CrossMark.aspx) 2.1 f/40 psi r/45 psi (5 psi less based on conditions...). Great & really fast XC tire.


Just picked up a pair of Maxxis Ignitor 2.35's and will mount them this weekend. I have heard very good things about these tires. Anyone else ride these?

If you are riding on a FS, you should post the psi of both your front and rear shock as well.

If you are riding on a FS, you should post the psi of both your front and rear shock as well.

I disagree...different leverage ratios of suspension designs requre different amt. of air for the same weight rider...making it immaterial. Not to mention the coil sprung / air assist forks.

Tire's only please.

2.1 on the FS, 2.35 on the HT.
30-35 psi. If I had tubeless, it would be less.
110 lbs, give or take 5 lbs, without gear.
Rocks, hardpack, loose stuff. Don't like mud as much, but I'll ride it. I avoid sand like the plague.

2.1 on the FS, 2.35 on the HT.
30-35 psi. If I had tubeless, it would be less.
110 lbs, give or take 5 lbs, without gear.
Rocks, hardpack, loose stuff. Don't like mud as much, but I'll ride it. I avoid sand like the plague.

30-35 at only 110lbs? I bet you can go lower.

Last week, I pulled into the trailhead and saw a friend just starting the trail. I didn't have time to check my PSI because I wanted to catch him. First thing I noticed, my steering had a 1/4 second delay. Ran into 3 trees. I also slid out in 2 corners because the tire just folded over at max lean. Weird feeling. Hadn't found my friend yet, so I kept going. For anyone in Ohio, I was at West Branch. Eventually I did Bit O Honey and the expert section twice. Still no friend. Got back to the trailhead and checked my tires. 13PSI in the front, 15 in the rear. WOW! No pinch flats, didn't lose my tire and rims were still true. This was with my Spank Subrosa rims and WTB Prowler MX 2.3/Stout 2.3 combo.

Learned that my rims do a great job of holding the tire bead. Also makes me realize I can run low low pressure. Won't ever go that low again unless there is snow, but I'm not gonna die if I'm below 30PSI. Don't be afraid to experiment!

200#

Velociraptors 2.1 F/R @ 30-35# w/tubes

Roots, rocks, smaller drops.

I disagree...different leverage ratios of suspension designs requre different amt. of air for the same weight rider...making it immaterial. Not to mention the coil sprung / air assist forks.

Tire's only please.

It might be interesting if owners of the same fork could compare the tuning, but not on this thread. Especially forks like Fox where you can dial in sag, rebound, and compression and lockout.

For example, if someone started a thread just for Fox TALAS RLC owners... might be interesting to hear how different people set those up.

215 lb rider on mixed conditions, but very XC type of stuff. FS ride in the sig.
Bontrager tubeless setup on bontrager 29 jones and xdx.
40psi front and back. Maybe a tad lower on the front.
I tried higher and a tire blew off. Probably defective but I'm too nervous to go any higher now.

215 lb rider on mixed conditions, but very XC type of stuff. FS ride in the sig.
Bontrager tubeless setup on bontrager 29 jones and xdx.
40psi front and back. Maybe a tad lower on the front.
I tried higher and a tire blew off. Probably defective but I'm too nervous to go any higher now.

Try it lower and see how you like it. I did.

150lb rider + pack/tools/water. Rigid bike. IRC Trailbear 2.5's front and rear running +/-25-27lbs with tubes. Very technical XC terrain, never a problem in three years. Knock on wood.