How does super high tire pressure effect handling??

[rodH]

Man, I just looked at my tire pressure and it is super high (30-35 lbs). I think i filled them up at same time as my car tires while at the gas station and put the same pressure I normally put in a car (not thinking). The bike was very hard to handle in the sand, and climbing slick rock type hills.

What does the lower pressure do to change the handling??

 

[YZ165]

It allows the tires to "grip" the terrain. YZ165

 

[rodH]

It allows the tires to "grip" the terrain. YZ165

Hmmmm.

So I will wash out more on soft stuff and on hard and slick rock stuff I get less traction (less of the tire in contact with the terrain)???

 

[rlp1]

Yep, it's not generally a good idea to have very high tire pressure. Lower pressure allows the tires to conform to the ground more, get more surface area, and get better traction.

 

[biglou]

You should have 13-14psi in your tires. At 30-35 it will be "a little squirrelly" to say the least!

 

[elf]

With that much pressure your tires won't flex, they need to flex a bit to get good traction. Lowering your pressure will also make your suspension feel a little plusher.

 

[rodH]

With that much pressure your tires won't flex, they need to flex a bit to get good traction. Lowering your pressure will also make your suspension feel a little plusher.

Thats what else I noticed, it seemed like the suspension wasn't as plush over small/repetative bumps. No wonder, duh.

 

[xsnrg]

If you are riding in an area where there are a lot of sharp-edged rocks, is it better to run a little higher tire pressure? I dented the rim on the 220 pretty harshly on our last trip to WV running normal pressure ~ 14 lbs.

 

[motonuts]

i race desert in so. cal and i run 15-16 psi. lots of sand and lots of rocks. it really depends on where you ride and how the terrain changes. softer for sand and loose stuff, more psi for rocky hardpack. about running 35psi, i had a friend check my tires at the gas station. during the ride my bike was washing out alot. i figured out my beginner friend filled the tires to the rated psi stamped on the sidewall... not good.

 

[minifig-phil]

What about if you ride on a track that is only very soft sand?
Would a higher tire preasure work for that?