Pure Mountain BikingGet the latest mountain biking tips, tricks, news and equipment.

by KirkOls

Tire pressure is a very important facet of riding any kind of bike, including mountain bikes. By learning how to set the tire pressure, you can give yourself more control and help to make the ride down the mountain smoother. If the tire pressure is too low, then you will find that it is much harder to cycle and it can increase the chance of a flat, too. Tire pressure that is too high can make your ride very bumpy and out of control, as well.

Tire pressure can vary from person to person, because it is dependent upon the personal preference of the bicycler, the tire’s condition, and the terrain that you will be riding on. The tire pressure can be easily modified simply by using a high quality pump on the tires. A tire pressure gauge is also an essential part of keeping your tires at the optimum pressure.

The manufacturer of the tire will have a recommended tire pressure for your particular tires and this is where you can start. You can then adjust the tire pressure as needed from there. It is best to use the same tire pressure gauge and pump when you check your tires, because you may get different readings depending upon the tire pressure gauge that you choose.

A good rule of thumb is to start with a higher tire pressure for your bike. This means that you want to be around 40-50 psi (3-3.5 bar), and then lower the tire pressure a little at a time to find which tire pressure is best for your particular bike, terrain, and yourself. If you are a little heavier, then you will want to use a higher tire pressure for sure.

Taking a test bike ride is the best way to check the tire pressure. You will want to notice how the tire behaves, how it rides on the terrain, how it slides down the mountain, and how it hooks in the corners. If you have too much tire pressure, then drop it in increments of 5 psi in both tires. If the bike gains grip and is more stable at this tire pressure, then you will want to keep it at this standard pressure. If not, then you will continue dropping the tire pressure in small increments and redoing the test until your bike rides the way you want and need it to.

If you want to determine the lowest possible tire pressure, then gradually decrease the tire pressure until you see how it feels when you ride on almost flat tires. This will help you to learn how it feels so that you can keep your tubes from getting damaged.

If your mountain bike tires are tubeless, then you will want to stay with a lower tire pressure. The advised tire pressure for tubeless tires is between 30 and 40 psi. This is because tubeless tires experience fewer pinch flats and even rim contact occasionally is okay. This is why you can ride on tires with a much lower tire pressure than normal. If the tire pressure is too low, you will find that if you are cornering hard that the tire will roll under the rim.

Another thing that you need to be on the lookout for is rolling resistance. The increased rolling resistance will take more effort, but it will offer you greater control and better traction to allow you to climb easier. For racers who race cross-country, they would rather have a more efficient bike versus greater control, so you have to take into consideration what kind of biking that you will be doing.

Using your hand to squeeze the tire will help you determine what the right tire pressure feels like so that you do not have to rely so much on the tire pressure gauge.

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by MoHotta18

One of the most important components on your mountain bike is your tires. They grip the ground and provide the traction you need on different surfaces. Most mountain bike riders look for light weight, strength and traction in a tire and many advanced riders even have multiple sets of tires for different riding conditions.

So what tire is right for your mountain bike and riding style? With so many different manufactures and models to choose from which one is right for you? These are not easy questions to answer so hopefully we can provide some insight to get you moving in the right direction. Mountain bike parts are not cheap and you want to make the right decision.

Tire Construction:

Consider a Kevlar bead or folding tire – A Kevlar tire weighs an estimated 60-80 grams less then a conventional none folding tire. It does not sound like much of a weight savings but multiple that number by two and then consider the rotating weight. For an extra couple of dollar, in my opinion, it is worth spending the extra money.

Terrain and Tread patterns:

Determine where you are going to ride and how you are going to use the bike. As an example will you be riding on the local trails that are hard packed dirt or on slick rock?

For hard packed terrain consider a narrower and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is 1.8 to 2.0 wide.

For hard packed terrain with a good mix of rocks you might want to consider a wider and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is wider then 2.0.

For loosely packed terrain consider a knobby tire. Choose a tire with a really aggressive pattern as this will help you gain maximum traction in the dirt. You might also want to consider tires that are designed for the front and rear of the bike.

For muddy terrain consider a narrow tire. Narrow tires will reach the bottom of the mud and create less resistance when turning making it easier for you to move forward.

For all terrain tires there are so many choices to consider. Many of the major tire manufacturers make very good tires that are great for all conditions.

Riders Body Size:

Consider your body size. If you are heavier you might want to consider a wider tire.

Where to buy:

You can buy your tires at a bike store, order them from an online website or from an individual sell tires posted on a mountain bike classifieds website.

The information above is a rough guide on what to consider when buying new mountain bike tires. Many bikes stores that have bikes for sale and bike parts can also give you their opinion. Talk to your friends and read online forums to see what other riders like and don’t like. The more information you have the better.

See you on the trail.

by mayhem

Okay, so you have a flat tire on your mountain bike.  Funny enough, I started riding a bike as a kid, but I learned to fix my car tire long before I learned to fix a bike tire. So don’t be like me; fixing your bike tire is not a complicated procedure and is something anyone should be able to do.

First you will need a few tools such as:

A plastic tire lever
A bicycle tire patch kit
A replacement tube if your current tube turns out to be beyond repair
A hand pump, or a CO2 cartridge
A bike repair stand (optional but helpful)

Your flat tire is actually a good omen.  It means that you ride often enough to have finally done damage to your two wheeled vehicle and you are being rewarded by learning to fix your trusty bike.  Good job and keep it up. 

If you are fixing your tire at home (as opposed to out on the road), prop your bike up on your bike repair stand if you have one.  If you are on the road, make sure you are completely off the road and in a safe location.  Before you take the wheel off the bike, switch your gears down to your smallest cog and then pop the whole wheel right off.  You can let the remaining air out of your wheel by using your hands to squeeze around the tire.  Use your hands to pull the tire back away from the rim so to break the seal between your tire and the rim, and now stick your tire lever between the metal rim and your tire and then pull the tire lever all around the rim so that the sides of the tire are no longer held by the rim. 

Now with the tire off, look for the stem of your tube which will be inserted into the rim.  It may be held in place by a bolt, in which case will need to take the bolt off and pull the tube right out and off the rim.

At this point it is a good idea to take the time to find out whether or not there are any sharp objects in the tire, including rocks that could be inside.  You can do this by running your hand inside the tire but do it slowly and be careful so as not to cut yourself on anything.

Okay, now pump some air back into your faulty tube and try to find the leak.  You may be able to see the air leaking out, or at least hear it.  If not, you can try running your hand over the tube and feel for leaking air.  If both these methods fail, then you only have a small puncture and you will need to get a bucket of water and dunk the tube into the bucket and watch for bubbles. 

Once you have identified the leak, take your patch kit and read the instructions on how to use it. Follow the instructions accurately so that the patch holds.   If the hole is too big to be patched, then just throw the whole tube away and use your new replacement tube.

Blow a little bit of air into your replacement tube or newly patched tube so that it takes shape.  This is important so you don’t have it lying flat inside the tire after you put it back and it will allow the tube to be inflated easier.

Now with the bit of air inside the tube, begin putting it inside the tire and around the rim as you previously had it before, including putting the stem back in place.  Put your tire back on, and use your hands to tuck the tire’s edges back into the rim, being careful no tubing is sticking out.  You will likely need to use the tire lever to help finish the last part of this job.

Lastly, use your CO2 cartridge or a pump to pump air into your tire and your mountain bike is now ready to hit the trails again.  Great job!  If you feel you need a visual, go to youtube as there are plenty of real life demos out there to watch.

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