Optimum Tire Pressure
01-03-20, 11:02 AM
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Optimum Tire Pressure
I thought this is a pretty interesting video. I don't particularly agree that there are "no negatives" to supple (lack of thick tread rubber and/or underlayments increases chances of tread punctures), but the rest of his technical analysis seems to correlate pretty strongly with my own observations.
He talks a lot about tire pressure theory with regard to racing, but also applies it to recreational cycling as well.
He talks a lot about tire pressure theory with regard to racing, but also applies it to recreational cycling as well.
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01-03-20, 12:50 PM
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I can agree w/ some of what he was saying. did a test commute on a Sunday. got a front flat. changed the tube but had trouble pumping the presta valve w/ my hand pump. it was my 1st time w/ a presta valve. got enough air into it to ride it but it wasn't right. made it to a gas station but had no luck with that old fashioned pump & my shcrader adapter. called the closest bike shop 5 miles away & they were closing. road home 22 miles w/ a soft front tire. I thought it would take longer & feel really slow. I wound up making good time & actually felt fast. the corners were wicked sketchy tho!
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01-06-20, 01:23 AM
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The basic stuff here is what Jan Heine has been saying for about a decade, and Frank Berto for about a decade before him. (And PLP was kind enough to give credit.) But this was a good listen, adding some new and interesting nuances to it. 
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01-06-20, 01:33 AM
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Detailed, nicely explained. My rough starting point is "15% drop" - for the rear tyre (my explanation of optimal bicycle tyre pressure).
Like they said - the smoother the surface, the more pressure you can "get away with" (and see minimal benefits). While for rough surfaces, going lower is better, but one must be weary of the increased snakebite risk.
For the same reason, I don't like going too low with front tyre pressure - even if it is good enough for "normal riding", once you hit a bump, or brake hard, most of the load is on the front tyre. I stick with just 10% lower pressure than on the rear.
Another thing I've experienced: it depends on tyre sidewall quality. Really cheap tyres are very slow even at optimal pressure. It is both felt and measured. While good quality tyres will roll without any measurable "slowing down" at optimal (and even lower) pressure.
Like they said - the smoother the surface, the more pressure you can "get away with" (and see minimal benefits). While for rough surfaces, going lower is better, but one must be weary of the increased snakebite risk.
For the same reason, I don't like going too low with front tyre pressure - even if it is good enough for "normal riding", once you hit a bump, or brake hard, most of the load is on the front tyre. I stick with just 10% lower pressure than on the rear.
Another thing I've experienced: it depends on tyre sidewall quality. Really cheap tyres are very slow even at optimal pressure. It is both felt and measured. While good quality tyres will roll without any measurable "slowing down" at optimal (and even lower) pressure.
