Spinning out, tire question
10-15-08, 07:42 PM
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Spinning out, tire question
I do a nasty commute, up a mountain (300 meter gain over 3 km, meaning about 10 degree rise over 3 km). I can ride a road or a gravel travel.
Generally I ride the road, on my road bike. But when the weather is poor, I want to ride the gravel trail -- on my mountain bike -- so I'm not riding in traffic in fog, rain, etc. with cars. The problem with the gravel trail is this:
Parts of the trail I ride up are almost straight up and I start to spin out on the steepest sections, even when it is dry out. I run Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires. 1.8 on the rear, and 2.1 on the front. Air pressure about 50 psi.
Anybody have any advice?
Thanks!
Generally I ride the road, on my road bike. But when the weather is poor, I want to ride the gravel trail -- on my mountain bike -- so I'm not riding in traffic in fog, rain, etc. with cars. The problem with the gravel trail is this:
Parts of the trail I ride up are almost straight up and I start to spin out on the steepest sections, even when it is dry out. I run Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires. 1.8 on the rear, and 2.1 on the front. Air pressure about 50 psi.
Anybody have any advice?
Thanks!
10-15-08, 07:48 PM
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Some might disagree, but if you just want traction out back, just swap the front to the rear. Probably wont handle as well, but should give you more traction. And stay seated.
10-15-08, 08:15 PM
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Don't swap the 1.8 to the front for the 2.1 out back...if you want a bigger tire out back, run the 2.1 front and rear.
You could try less air pressure. Body positioning and pedal stroke (try to spin in circles, not mashing) will also make a big difference.
You could try less air pressure. Body positioning and pedal stroke (try to spin in circles, not mashing) will also make a big difference.
Last edited by never; 10-15-08 at 08:18 PM.
10-15-08, 08:17 PM
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drop psi to 35, put the 2.1 in back
nothing wrong with fire xc pro they grip great
[but fire xc will step out the rear a wee bit on the edge of rocks]
...in your example though
they should grip fine.
nothing wrong with fire xc pro they grip great
[but fire xc will step out the rear a wee bit on the edge of rocks]
...in your example though
they should grip fine.
10-15-08, 08:30 PM
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10-15-08, 08:33 PM
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stop mashing - spin, i.e., even force throughout the pedal stroke
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Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
10-15-08, 09:22 PM
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10-15-08, 09:26 PM
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Thanks for the tips, which I really appreciate!
I have noticed that standing up -- I've been a roadie for a while, riding 60% road to 40% mtb -- I have more trouble.
Standing up to pedal is the roadie's response to just about any hill
I'm going to put a 2.1 Fire Pro XC tire on the rear too. No way I'm spinning out again. The amount of energy I expended on a 30 min. climb was insane, even by fitness standards.
Oh and I'll stop mashing too.
Awesome, thanks for the tips.
I have noticed that standing up -- I've been a roadie for a while, riding 60% road to 40% mtb -- I have more trouble.
Standing up to pedal is the roadie's response to just about any hill
I'm going to put a 2.1 Fire Pro XC tire on the rear too. No way I'm spinning out again. The amount of energy I expended on a 30 min. climb was insane, even by fitness standards.
Oh and I'll stop mashing too.
Awesome, thanks for the tips.
10-15-08, 10:45 PM
#9
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Leave the 1.8 on the back. You need the 2.1 up front for better steering. Drop tire pressures down to at least 35 psi. And stay seated.
I run the Panny's on my hardtail. Tire pressures are at 32 psi.
I run the Panny's on my hardtail. Tire pressures are at 32 psi.
10-16-08, 12:20 PM
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OK so you are a roadie. climb gets stiff and out of the saddle?---WRONG. Stay seated and go 1 gear higher to keep the torque down. Even start putting weight to the rear of the saddle and if the front wheel starts lifting- Twist the wrists down to pull the weight forward and lower C of G.
And if the front wheel does not lift on this climb- Then you can do it on any crappy tyre- providing you get the weight distribution right.
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