Years after “abandoning” the MTB for the road/tri bike, I have finally upgrade my early 2000’s way outdated MTB. The modern MTB tech is all new to me. Curious… how much do you weight & what tire pressure do you run? I have a 29" full suspension & I’m in the process of experimenting.
I weigh about 160lbs (HT MTB weighs 19-20lbs) and run roughly 18f and 20r for trail riding (xc trails, not super technical but some rocks and roots). I use my MTB for gravel and will put a little more air for a gravel ride, maybe 25f/28r psi. I don’t check my tires every ride, just a squeeze to make sure they aren’t too low.
FWIW, I’m riding tubeless, 29" x 2.2" tires.
What is your tire width?
29" and 2.2" also.
It really depends on what you’re doing.
I run as high as 35lbs. for rolling efficiency on fire roads, etc. If doing a slippery downhill chunk-fest descent, as low as 15lb. The skilled mountain bikers I know carry around little digital gauges and bleed/pump at various times, depending on an upcoming segment.
What is your tire width?
Hi. 2.60". I still haven’t switched the bike for tubeless, but will eventually (just waiting to wear down extra inner tubes).
29 with tubes and 2.25 tires: 28 to 32 psig for a 160 lbs person
Tubeless 18-24 psig
I run a 2.6 (650B) on the front of my Mountain bike and I run 16 to 17 psig. I would think it would be similar for a 29er.
When I started running tubeless (2.25") I went low enough that I could bottom out the rear every once in a while, then went up 3 psig and set that at my low point. I then fiddled around and found a point I felt was faster all around for good conditions. I’m normally near 22 psig.
On the front, for the same size tire, I normally go 2-3 psi lower than the rear. If you go too low the tire is too squishy to have an effective turn response. When you do it you’ll know what I mean.
I always run a larger front tire than a rear now because it makes the bike much easier to handle.
What is your tire width?
Hi. 2.60". I still haven’t switched the bike for tubeless, but will eventually (just waiting to wear down extra inner tubes).
Seriously with a mountain bike…just go straight to tubeless.
tons of variables here.
tire size, internal rim width, terrain, ability etc.
but yes - tubeless set up asap, then bring a quality gauge with you on rides and try different PSI ranges.
tons of variables here.
tire size, internal rim width, terrain, ability etc.
but yes - tubeless set up asap, then bring a quality gauge with you on rides and try different PSI ranges.
Yeah, I will.
What is your tire width?
Hi. 2.60". I still haven’t switched the bike for tubeless, but will eventually (just waiting to wear down extra inner tubes).
I wouldn’t wait, tubeless is significantly better with MTB as you can run lower pressure and likely fewer flats. Carry the tube(s) as a backup in the event your sealant can’t seal the puncture.
Still running tubes on my 15 year old bike, with 26x2.25" tires. I’m 216lbs, the sweet spot for me on my local trails is 22psi rear, 20psi front. Trails are a mix of singletrack and very smooth to very rough fire road…
I carry a pump and adjust as needed. Full squish? How wide are you tires? What conditions do you ride in?
I ride an ancient 26" hardtail. But I use 2.2 or wider tires to supplement my lack of suspension. I run anywhere from 30-45 psi. Ill go harder if the trail is buffed out.
Riding in Asheville NC and all the rocks involved is always a challenge. I may run softer pressure for grip during climbing and as I’m most likely seated for much of the climb a soft rear tire saves the butt.
For descents I may pump up the pressure a tad to avoid rim pinch or snake bite flats.
I tend to run higher in the rear also because I’m a battle gnome sized rider. 5’5" 185 lbs. My typical setup is:
Rear Tire 2.1-2.3 wide tire - 40-45 psi
Front tire 2.2-2.3 wide tire - 30-35 psi
Now if you go tubeless all bets are off. I have no idea as I haven’t made the switch yet.
175lb rider, i25 rims, 29x2.35" tires, 20ish in the front and 23ish on the rear. Usual add just enough not to burp tires. That is both on the full sus and hard tail.
Mid 20s for rooty technical singletrack
.
I’m on a full suspension trail bike (140mm travel front and back).
And ride reasonably rocky trails.
With biking gear / camelbak, pads, shoes, etc and the bike to all up weight is probably circa 250lbs in my post Covid no long races working from home lardy state.
27.5" wheels. 2.35" wide tyres. Tubeless. Relatively narrow rims by 2021 standards (mavic 319 rims).
No foam ‘liner’
I’m on about 25-27 psi at the back, and about 23psi at the front.
Below that pressure the tyres start to squirm on cornering.
No P or bent rims since I went to tubeless about 4 or 5 years ago (albeit I accept 2020 and most of 2021 has been a washout for mtb for me as I was trying not to spanner myself and end up in A+E broken when a lockdown was on.
Start by using this calculator. It’s kind of complicated but it’ll help you lots. You’ll end up with a much lower tire pressure than you are used to. And that is a real good thing.
interesting, it set me at 17 pounds, which is good, maybe a tad softer than i’m used to
.
180-185 lbs, spec ground controls 2.35, 18 psi.
It’s really tire dependent. I was running 2.25 aspens and really struggling with traction. More than 20 psi and they wouldn’t hook up, less and they squirmed and folded. The ground controls are much more stable and grippy at all pressures, though probably a bit overkill for my mostly suburban imba riding.
250lbs full suspension bike+rider,
26†tubeless 2.5â€/2.3†F/R:
30psi F / 35psi R
Based on the previous posters, was thinking I should try dropping my pressures quite a bit. But after running the numbers through the calculator xcskier66 pointed us to, I will probably leave well enough alone.
Hardtail Specialized Epic used on modest trails & gravel & am a pretty conservative rider. I weigh 147 and usually run 26 - 28 in the front and 22-24 in the rear. If I’m venturing into gnarly terrain, I’ll reduce pressure by 2-3 PSI.