Originally Posted by Kapusta

I think he is technically correct thaf the coefficient of friction does not necessarily increase with contact area. And that might be the end of the story if you are on a very smooth surface.

But we are usually not on a very smooth surface, and the ability of lower pressure to allow the tire to conform to the surface essentially increases the coefficient of friction.

I think it can be hard to separate the benefits of low pressure and larger contact patch, sinse they fo together.

And again, contact patch is NOT a function of tire size, but of tire pressure (and weight).