MTB tire inflation

[wavedancer]

I am just getting into mountain biking and wonder how much air pressure I should be using in my tires. Is it different for different terrain? What's a general-use, dirt road, occasional mud, interspersed with snow and icy spots pressure? Thanks for any advice

[pedalfaster]

I like my mtb tires with tubes at ~35-40 PSI.
I'll pump 'em up a bit more if I am riding on the road and/or I know the course is all hardpack. With tubeless, you can run even less air pressure for more traction.
If you look on the sidewall your tires should give you a recommended range. Other than that it's personal preference. One thing I learned early-on: if you are a 110lb woman don't let your 160lb boyfriend air up your mtb tires before a race--you'll be bouncing alll over the trail

[Irulan]

I do vary my pressure by terrain. Sorry I'm still foggy at the moment, but IIRC when it's looske and techinical I let some out, hard pack we run a higher pressure. I think.

I'll think about this when I get out of the medication fog I"m still in.

Irulan

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by Irulan
I'll think about this when I get out of the medication fog I"m still in.

Any luck with the stone, Irulan? Hope you're feeling better soon.

Originally posted by wavedancer
how much air pressure I should be using in my tires

I agree with 35 to 40 pounds. But I don't know about snow. Higher pressure makes climbing easier on hard pack. Lower pressure is better for cornering and for better traction.

I actually use different kinds of tires for different seasons. Through the spring and summer I ride a tire with less rolling resistance (some people call them semi-slicks). They aren't really slick, they just have less aggressive knobs.

Winter riding (in the mud) I use a more knobby type.