Penton Owners Group

General Discussion => Penton Talk => Topic started by: fastwillie8568 on July 13, 2012, 05:01:02 PM

Title: Cross Country Tire Pressure
Post by: fastwillie8568 on July 13, 2012, 05:01:02 PM
What kind of tire pressure is everyone running who races cross country in dry conditions I am running 10 1/2 rear 11 front is this the normal pressure?
Title: Cross Country Tire Pressure
Post by: brian kirby on July 13, 2012, 05:53:16 PM
Depends a lot on what kind of tire you are using. I run Pirelli MT16s and if its rocky I'll run 12-14, if its not rocky I'll run them as low as 10 in the front and 8 in the rear. A tire like the Michelin S12 I would not run lower than 12, sidewalls are too short and too soft.

Brian
Title: Cross Country Tire Pressure
Post by: Dwight Rudder on July 15, 2012, 02:45:33 AM
Depends on whether long travel bike or short travel.  Long travel is easier on tires / tubes in rocks and roots.  I run 14psi on short travel bikes and 12psi on long travel bikes.
Title: Cross Country Tire Pressure
Post by: SouthRider on July 16, 2012, 08:11:53 AM
Dwight always did run higher pressures than most - because he is a six day rider, and finishing is THE most important thing, In Enduros we always ran considerably lower & took our chances.

In mud runs with no rocks we ran as low as 6 in the rear, but went higher depending on the conditions (roots, rocks, etc.).

It's a lot easier to finish a short race with a flat than it is to have to do an unexpected tire change at a checkpoint in the ISDT.

If you do decide to run lower pressures - make sure you carry several large cable ties in your fanny pack - they will hold a tire on the rim in an emergency if you "baby" it to the finish.

Clark

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do almost anything, with nothing."

1972 Penton Berkshire 100
1983 Husqvarna 250 XC
2011 Jayco 31.5 RLDS
2009 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax
Title: Cross Country Tire Pressure
Post by: Dwight Rudder on July 17, 2012, 02:10:00 AM
I do run a bit less when muddy. He was speaking of dry conditions. Anyway Long Travel is easier on tubes than short travel where tire presure is actually part of the suspension.
Title: Cross Country Tire Pressure
Post by: brian kirby on July 17, 2012, 03:42:42 PM
Quotequote:Originally posted by Dwight Rudder

I do run a bit less when muddy. He was speaking of dry conditions. Anyway Long Travel is easier on tubes than short travel where tire presure is actually part of the suspension.

And this is why I shake my head at people using modern low profile tires, or even changing to 19" rear wheels, they are losing an inch or two of suspension by doing that. Thats why I run the MT16 on any bike big enough to run it, its like getting an extra inch of rear travel on a short travel bike.

Brian
Title: Cross Country Tire Pressure
Post by: Dwight Rudder on July 18, 2012, 01:06:06 AM
Amen, Brother !