Originally Posted by
gsa103
In general, the contact patch governs traction, static loading, and rolling resistance.
Air pressure behaves like a non-linear spring, the more the tire compresses, the more the pressure rises. Lower pressure is a weaker spring, high pressure is a firm spring.
A taller tire effectively has a longer travel, and a tire with more volume will behave more like a linear spring.
In response to large bumps, the wide tire at lower pressure is going to be more supple and absorb more shock.
Actually air pressure acts like a linear spring. Consider a piston in a closed cylinder. Force and air pressure are proportional to displacement of the piston.