Rear wheel dusty spinouts when climbing

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Originally Posted by laura*

The thought is that (assuming your right eye is dominant) in a right hand turn, your right eye has an unobstructed view of the trail ahead. Then, like a child in a candy store, your attention "runs" forward before you're done with the turn. In a left hand turn, that same eye might stay better focused on the turn itself.

Another thought: Haven't you posted that your left ankle was surgically repaired? And as a result you are more powerful with the right leg? I think it's been written that in a turn one should put more force on the outside pedal - which would be the left pedal in the turns when you fell to the right.

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Hmmmm, this is very helpful. It IS true that while both of my legs are quite strong, my right one is certainly stronger. I am going to think about your description of the eye/attention - it makes sense that if my right eye is dominant, and the curve is to the right, that my eye doesn't really have the same perspective as it does on a left curve. Of course I need to also look ahead and through whatever is coming - it is about the right balance of attention.

I took the mtb to my LBS early this afternoon and I am putting a very different tire on the rear. I wish I could afford to replace both of them at the same time, but I can't. I will need to replace the front when the leaves and wet trails of fall come. My LBS highly recommended the Continental Mountain King for the trails I ride - they also ride the same tires on the same trails. They also recommended I drop the PSI as well. These tires have mixed reviews, but then again, one can make oneself crazy by reading reviews. People I trust tell me these tires are perfect for the trails I ride and they ride them as well - good enough for me ;) I understand Continental did make changes in the Mountain Kings for 2011 that addressed some earlier problems.

I don't know how it will feel to have the minimal Geax on the front and more aggressive Mountain King in the rear, but I hope to find out next weekend. If I find the combination troublesome then I will replace the front sooner rather than later.

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Originally Posted by Becky

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Also, not to beat the tire pressure horse too much, but I think it bears a second look. Breaking traction is often a symptom of overinflated tires for the bike, rider, and conditions combo.

You and I are the same weight, +/- a few pounds, and I run my tires in the 22-24 psi range. My DH, who is twice my size, runs his at 30-32 psi. Maybe lower pressures are something to experiment with? You can always pump them back up if you don't like the ride.

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Thank you for this information - my LBS guy today already went there. I didn't realize that 30psi was so high - especially since the range on my sidewalls starts at 35... He got my attention when he told me that he could almost ride that and he is twice my height, not going to guess his weight.

It was suggested I try 28 and will see what that feels like. Here is a link to my new rear tire - though the knobbies look closer together in person than they do in the link photo.

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Originally Posted by Becky

You and I are the same weight, +/- a few pounds, and I run my tires in the 22-24 psi range. My DH, who is twice my size, runs his at 30-32 psi.

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Hijack;) Becky, it seems that the wider the tires, the lower the pressure we can run. What width tires are you running at 22-24psi? Mine are 2.1. I've been running them at about 30 psi and would like to try lower but I'm not sure what's too low for 2.1's and a 130# rider.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Thank you for this information - my LBS guy today already went there. I didn't realize that 30psi was so high - especially since the range on my sidewalls starts at 35... He got my attention when he told me that he could almost ride that and he is twice my height, not going to guess his weight.

It was suggested I try 28 and will see what that feels like. Here is a link to my new rear tire - though the knobbies look closer together in person than they do in the link photo.

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I'm glad to hear that you purchased a new tire. I think you'll find that you do want a beefier tire up front as well, but I certainly understand the money thing! Your LBS is often the best source for tire recommendations, as the employees are riding the same trails and roads as you.

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Originally Posted by Artista

Hijack;) Becky, it seems that the wider the tires, the lower the pressure we can run. What width tires are you running at 22-24psi? Mine are 2.1. I've been running them at about 30 psi and would like to try lower but I'm not sure what's too low for 2.1's and a 130# rider.

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Y'know, it's funny...I'm running two different sets of tires, in two different sizes, on two different bikes, and one tubeless, one not. And yet I find that I use very similar pressures (when measured on my pump). FWIW, I'm ~126 lbs right now, maybe more like 135 lbs. with gear and Camelbak.

Full-suspension bike:
26 x 2.1 Schwalbe Racing Ralphs with tubes
These are new tires for me, so I'm still fiddling with pressures. Right now, I'm liking the front at 22psi or so, and a smidge more in the rear. This particular tire gets really "squirmy" in the rear when it's too low, so it's pretty obvious to me when I need more air. I always run new tires with tubes until I decide if I like them and what pressure I prefer, and then I do the tubeless conversion.

Rigid bike:
29 x 2.55 (2.35) WTB Weirwolf LT, tubeless.
I love these tires for our local trails during the summer. Fast, with great side knobs for cornering grip, and lots of volume for shock absorption. They're labeled as 2.55, but they measure more like a 2.35. 24psi seems to be just about right for these.

My MO, whenever I install new tires, is to start at 25 psi front and rear. I will then make small adjustments (usually downward) until I find the lowest pressure that allows me to corner comfortably without rolling a tire, feeling it "squirm", or pinch flatting.

Don't be afraid to play with your tire pressures in small increments. It's the cheapest experiment that you can do to a bike, and it may lead to greatly-improved handling.

Thanks for that info, Becky. Remind me where you live (if you don't mind sharing). I'm curious as to what trails you generally ride.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Thanks for that info, Becky. Remind me where you live (if you don't mind sharing). I'm curious as to what trails you generally ride.

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I'm in northern Delaware, and most of my riding is done here or in eastern Maryland. Our trails are mostly hardpack or loose over hard, with plenty of roots and smaller rocks. Occasionally, there are patches of sand and silt, particularly in flood plains and water crossings.

Occasionally, DH and I will head into Pennsylvania, where the rocks get bigger. I'm always up for a mountain biking road trip and some new terrain :)

Thanks, Becky. It sounds like I can go pretty significantly lower without causing too many problems. I'll start with 2-3psi less and keep going down until I find what I like.

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Originally Posted by Becky

I'm in northern Delaware, and most of my riding is done here or in eastern Maryland. Our trails are mostly hardpack or loose over hard, with plenty of roots and smaller rocks. Occasionally, there are patches of sand and silt, particularly in flood plains and water crossings.

Occasionally, DH and I will head into Pennsylvania, where the rocks get bigger. I'm always up for a mountain biking road trip and some new terrain :)

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Thanks for info! You should come out this way sometime!

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Thanks for info! You should come out this way sometime!

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In a heartbeat! Just need a guide :)

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Originally Posted by Becky

In a heartbeat! Just need a guide :)

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Happy to oblige! We need to have a TE weekend in Brown County one of these years. Hmmmm; there's an idea!

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Happy to oblige! We need to have a TE weekend in Brown County one of these years. Hmmmm; there's an idea!

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I would come from Denver!

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Originally Posted by Artista

I would come from Denver!

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That would be great! Honestly, I don't think it would be hard to put a weekend together. It's a question of deciding the best weekend to do it in terms of weather and when there's no conflict at the park. The only drawback to this area is that, as far as I know, there's no place to rent bikes for anybody flying in. I have a spare 15" HT, but that's it.

Anyway, it's certainly something to ponder!

Ya know, I would probably drive and bring my bike. But I just checked and it would be 2 full days of driving each way. I was thinking we were at least a few hours closer to each other:(

There is a bike store in Columbus that rents mountain bikes, and I believe another one in Bloomington or the area. I would happily join on on a weekend TE camping/mtb trip! BGI in Indianapolis also rents mountain bikes. The Inn at Brown County State Park has decent rooms, and they also have family size cabins for rent.

What difference should I expect in the handling of my Jamis with a more minimal tire in the front with a wider (I think), certainly more aggressive tire in the back? The Mountain King is 2.2 with certainly more rubber and knobbies, the Geax Mexcal is, I think, 2.1. I was told there would be a difference, it would be nice to have an idea what to expect so I can judge whether I need to take it to an easy trail first.