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Lowest pressure I can run Specialized Roubaixs Pro 32mm tires?

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Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) This has to be the most physically intense sport ever invented. It's high speed bicycle racing on a short off road course or riding the off pavement rides on gravel like : "Unbound Gravel". We also have a dedicated Racing forum for the Cyclocross Hard Core Racers.

Lowest pressure I can run Specialized Roubaixs Pro 32mm tires?

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Old 05-20-16, 01:35 PM
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Lowest pressure I can run Specialized Roubaixs Pro 32mm tires?

Maybe a foolish question to ask since the recommended range for Specialized Roubaix Pro 32mm is 75-95 psi. How big is the risk to run it slightly lower for gravel, eg. 60 psi?
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Old 05-20-16, 07:56 PM
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Not foolish. How heavy are you, and do you ride "light" (knees & elbows for suspension) or sit heavy/rigid? 50 front/60 back might be just fine...
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Old 05-21-16, 03:24 AM
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75psi for a 32mm tire seems excessive even for smooth pavement. Recommended pressures are usually conservative at the lower end, probably so you don't get people complaining if they ever hit a pothole and pinch-flat.

Check out this article:
https://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf
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Old 05-21-16, 03:55 AM
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Unless you are very heavy, ride over sharp edges and can't flex your elbows and knees you are using excessive pressure. If you are lighter than average, can avoid significant obstructions and can absorb impacts with your body, you can cut your pressure in half.
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Old 05-21-16, 04:40 AM
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I used to run my 32's at 70 PSI on the road and 55 on the trail where I'd encounter the odd root or buried stone partially sticking up.
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Old 05-21-16, 07:05 AM
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Thanks for the helpful replies. I'm 155-160 so should be ok I guess.

For the tubeless version of this tire the recommended range is 45-90 psi. Would 45 psi truly be the bottom limit in that case since it's already a relatively low pressure?
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Old 05-21-16, 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by vinuneuro
For the tubeless version of this tire the recommended range is 45-90 psi. Would 45 psi truly be the bottom limit in that case since it's already a relatively low pressure?
Somewhere below 45 PSI (probably closer to 35 PSI) is probably where they saw tires start to burp in testing. So they added some margin to make sure customers have a favorable experience and called it good. Different rims, different riders, different types of riding all affect the true minimum (which is almost certainly below the recommended).

This stuff isn't an exact science. The only way to find the absolute minimum for you is to go test (preferably in a controlled environment where a failure is less likely to get you seriously injured) and see what happens.
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Old 05-21-16, 01:14 PM
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CX? Ability to run lower pressures and not Burp all the air out of a Tubeless set up , in a corner ..

Is why Sew Up Tires are still the best thing for Cyclocross Racing.
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Old 05-22-16, 01:43 PM
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I have run the tube version of the Roubaix Pro 30/32 tires quite a bit on smooth gravel at 60 rear and 45 front with no flats. I weigh 165 lbs and I tend to ride light.
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Old 05-23-16, 11:42 AM
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I have over a year and 3,000 miles on my Spec Diverge using the 32c Roubaix. In the beginning I ran them on the road 75 psi F/ 80 psi R but that was a bit high. I get a nice comfortable ride on my commute now using 60-65F and 65-70R. For gravel races I generally run 50-55F and 55-60R when there is a blend of gravel and road and 45-50 when it is all gravel/dirt. Very happy with the tires.
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Old 05-23-16, 12:11 PM
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If these tires are fairly puncture resistant at low pressures, is there any reason at all to look at the tubeless version?
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Old 05-23-16, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by vinuneuro
If these tires are fairly puncture resistant at low pressures, is there any reason at all to look at the tubeless version?
Rolling resistance & pinch flats.
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