Tire pressure sure can make a difference

[Matno]

As do a lot of other little adjustments...

Being an idiot, I was lamenting the harsh ride of my new single speed (you know, being a hardtail and all). That is until I remembered that I had the tires pumped up to 60 psi. Duh. Dropped them down to a more realistic 25 or so and all of sudden, the bike is actually fun to ride down the stairs.

Also, I was ticked about the loose feeling in my fork until I realized that I forgot that I could adjust the preload! Considering how much I've adjusted my shocks on other bikes, you'd think that would have occurred to me sooner. I guess I've been too busy to think straight lately! (Could have something to do with my oral exam in surgery tomorrow morning!)

All of a sudden, my cheapo beater bike is becoming a trusted pal. Whoduthunkit?

Who knows, maybe I'll even get some BIGGER tires to put on it now...  

[pedro]

Yeah,
It is amazing the difference tire pressure can do on any bike.
I discovered the Hutchinson Pythons and I am surprised at how good they feel even though  they are only 2.0. I bet  anybody who rides them would think they are 2.1 or 2.2's. A light tire in the back is great in any situation, these python air lights are as light as they come, and yet retain much suppleness.
I homemade them into tubeless tires, making them even lighter and better handling.

[Carbon_Angus]

adjusting tire pressure is cheap modification, too! we usually drop the stem a little and tire pressure when bombing down fireroads..not too much though to roll a tire or flat one...yet

PS to Matno.....last week I adjusted my seat to what you would consider a more "normal" position" i was really in a catapult position b4 [smiley=laughing.gif]

[smiley=beer.gif]

[Matno]

I'll sleep better now that I don't have nightmares about you slipping off your "slide," nailing your top tube, and crashing into me. You'll have to update your gallery pics though... A bike that nice deserves it. I'm convinced that the saddle (both the model and the position of it) are what make a bike look cool or not. Your bike happens to be cool anyway, but I'll bet it looks better now! I'll bet it feels better too (especially all the weight you're no longer supporting with your shoulders).

[gordo22]

be careful with letting too much air out. Yesterday I lowered the air pressure in my tires for a decent I am running WTB weirwolf 2.5 front. Well I was riding down one of my favorite trails and went down this steep chute and my front tire pinch flated and I went over the handle bars and to the ground hard. Moral of the story is don't go too low with pressure.

[Matno]

I suppose it depends partly on your weight and the particular model of tire. I've run sub 30psi pressures for years now, but I only weigh 140. Only pinch flatted once, and that was on a C'dale I demoed (which I think was actually at closer to 40 psi!) It had those wimpy Conti explorer Pros (ugh). Nailed it hard enough to put a 1/2" dent in the rim too! Good thing the bike shop manager was my buddy. He just smiled and said, "that's what demos are for..."

However, I've been getting a consistent flat in my front tire lately. Just a pin prick somewhere, but I cannot find the source! I've bent the casing this way and that, but no thorns visible. After 3 tubes, I got so desperate that I actually licked the inside of the casing in an attempt to find something sharp! Still no luck. Grrrrrr. Fortunately, the current leak is a slow one that will last at least 2 rides before going flat. Weird.

[Carbon_Angus]

Just for you, Matno.

no, the seatpost does not whack the spring. [smiley=laughing.gif]



[smiley=beer.gif]

[Scott]

Matno,

Before you ingest any more tire carbon:) try this: next flat remove tube and keep it oriented in your minds eye as it was positioned in the tire, then pump it up a good bit and immerse in your tub, finding the leak now will tell you exactly where the hidden jabber is located.

[Matno]

Just for you, Matno.

no, the seatpost does not whack the spring.

Actually, a suprising thing I learned about these frames is that the spring actually moves down, AWAY from the seatpost when it compresses. So you can lower your seatpost all the way down to just above the spring and still not have to worry about clearance. (Of course, you run the risk of the seatpost slipping a bit and gouging your shock like I once did...) That sure is a good looking bike. I'm still kicking myself that I could have gotten a carbon frame from Ediscount for only $100 more than I paid for my 5000. If only I had waited one month! But then my wife and I wouldn't have matching bikes...

Scott, I'll try that the next time I take it apart. I have been to busy/lazy to pay that much attention, but I did somewhat localize the leak to an area of the tire. I'm sure I'll find the problem...