Talk to me about tires and cornering techniques

[velogirl]

I'm not small. I'm 5'10" and just south of 160lbs. I know 200lb guys who run 35psi. Much will depend on the course, but you'll be amazed at how differently you can handle your bike if you drop the psi. Try it -- what have you got to lose, right?

[madisongrrl]

I've been running 35-40psi. I'm 5'3" and 125lbs.

In the CX clinic that I attended, Ben Turner had us put both hands on the tire (one hand on top of the other) and had us push/thrust down on the tire. This is to simulate all that your tire is going to take. If you can press it down to the rim, you've let out too much air etc.

[SheFly]

I'm not small. I'm 5'10" and just south of 160lbs. I know 200lb guys who run 35psi. Much will depend on the course, but you'll be amazed at how differently you can handle your bike if you drop the psi. Try it -- what have you got to lose, right?

We're about the same size (5'10" and 155 lbs). I have a race on Sunday, so will give this a try and see how it works.

As a follow up to Sydney_B's question, does the lower psi affect the hard cornering??? Sorry - Sydney - to have hijacked your thread...

SheFly

[madisongrrl]

Lower tire pressure increases traction and should make cornering easier (unless you've dropped you tires "too" low). It also makes climbing easier. I've tried climbing steep hills on my mountain bike at 40psi, then at 30psi. The difference is huge.

[sydney_b]

As a follow up to Sydney_B's question, does the lower psi affect the hard cornering??? Sorry - Sydney - to have hijacked your thread...
SheFly

No problemo, SheFly. I'm learning tons already. So, maybe owe u a thx for taking over.

I'm dropping my pressure for sure.

[velogirl]

Dropping the pressure gives you a greater/larger contact patch with the ground. To illustrate this, take your bike out into the dirt. With your tires at 80psi, place your bike in the dirt, then pick it up. See how small the contact patch is? One row of knobs, probably. Now, drop the pressure. See how the contact patch increases? So your tire will be grippier with lower pressure, allowing you to be more agressive with cornering and on loose stuff.

So, to answer the original question, if you can go into a turn with more speed and not bobble because you're sliding around, you'll be able to come out of the turn with more speed.

[sydney_b]

Dropping the pressure gives you a greater/larger contact patch with the ground. To illustrate this, take your bike out into the dirt. With your tires at 80psi, place your bike in the dirt, then pick it up. See how small the contact patch is? One row of knobs, probably. Now, drop the pressure. See how the contact patch increases? So your tire will be grippier with lower pressure, allowing you to be more agressive with cornering and on loose stuff.

So, to answer the original question, if you can go into a turn with more speed and not bobble because you're sliding around, you'll be able to come out of the turn with more speed.

Good summary, VeloGirl. Thank you! Such a great community here. I'll let you know how this weekends races go with the lowered pressure.