Mountain Biking general thread

[Rich B]

The tubeless front on my commuter ebike has a slow puncture. I've bought some tubes.

[John]

Ouch. Too big for a jabber/anchovy to fill?

I er might have left them at home

[Jobbo]

Anyone tried those inserts (Cushcore, Tannus Armour etc)? I bet they seem appealing when you've just had to fix an annoying puncture - I know they did when I got 4 punctures on one ride. But I suspect they are a pig to fit, make the wheels and tyres heavier to the detriment of handling and don't provide any more than emergency get-you-home functionality if you need to rely on them anyway.

[Rich B]

I don't really get the point for me - I hate riding with low pressures, having the bike squirm around going into a jump or round a berm is horrible. I ride with 40psi, so if I'm casing it so badly enough that I need a Cush core, I'm probably crashing in spectacular style.

[Jobbo]

I've never pumped my MTB tyres up that high - usually around 30psi. I run my Brompton tyres at 80-100psi so I'm not averse to high pressure, just assumed you need the lower pressure (and 30 isn't that low compared to most) for grip. Will try it.

Assumed the inserts were to keep you moving when you puncture, to be honest...

[simon_g]

For the racers it can mean not getting a flat in the first place, and if you do then they keep the bead seated and give a bit of run-flat ability to get down a stage without destroying a rim. I thought the idea too was that you could go for a less robust tyre which can save more weight than the inserts add - eg if you'd go for a DD or Super Gravity version then you can save 400+g on a lighter tyre and only add 150g back for the insert.

40psi is nuts to me, but I'd always encourage trying higher and lower than your usual to see. This time of year with slippery roots and the like a lower pressure can find more grip than you'd expect.

[Rich B]

For the racers it can mean not getting a flat in the first place, and if you do then they keep the bead seated and give a bit of run-flat ability to get down a stage without destroying a rim. I thought the idea too was that you could go for a less robust tyre which can save more weight than the inserts add - eg if you'd go for a DD or Super Gravity version then you can save 400+g on a lighter tyre and only add 150g back for the insert.

40psi is nuts to me, but I'd always encourage trying higher and lower than your usual to see. This time of year with slippery roots and the like a lower pressure can find more grip than you'd expect.

I've got 180mm of suspension and a 2.8 inch rear tyre, I don't need the tyre deforming in unpredictable directions and trying to roll off the rim in corners. I have nice mechanically controlled suspension and loads of grip.

I've tried all sorts of set ups, I've been riding mountain bikes for 25 years. I personally don't like low pressures for the above reasons - though I am only really interested in bike park type trails, so ultimate grip across roots up a hill is far less important to me than predictable handling off jumps and into fast corners.

[ZedLeg]

I usually have mines between 35 and 40 psi. Mostly because I'm a big un and the tyres flatten out more than I'd like if I go with less.

I never run low pressures, as Rich says I'd rather let the forks and frame deal with shock absorption than have the tyres squirming around under me.

[mik]

Hmm - maybe a poll is needed here....

Road bike: 120 psi. That's how I roll
MTB: 45 psi. I acknowledge however that my MTB skills & abilities are poor, and my 2003 Trek hardtail shakes me like a bastard regardless
Bluefin Excercise Bike: 00 psi

[dinny_g]

Yeah 45 psi front and back in 2.25" tyres here.

Hard Tail too but there's a riding style you can employ to keep some of the hard crashes down. You can' just ride and let the rear shock take care of things..

[Jobbo]

I fancied going out on my bike last Sunday as the snow was falling but didn’t have time. Probably more fun today anyway; clear skies and the snow from last weekend is still very much present.

Pleased with the grip from my tyres. Must get some more thick socks though.

[V8Granite]

I've never pumped my MTB tyres up that high - usually around 30psi. I run my Brompton tyres at 80-100psi so I'm not averse to high pressure, just assumed you need the lower pressure (and 30 isn't that low compared to most) for grip. Will try it.

Assumed the inserts were to keep you moving when you puncture, to be honest...

Fatty boom boom here needs 60psi to stop it feeing squirmy, it used to make gravel wash outs quite spectacular!! I very very rarely get punctures though.

Dave!

[Jobbo]

I’m fairly sure mine say max 45 or 50 psi, so that would be way too hard even if you’re heavy.

[V8Granite]

I’m fairly sure mine say max 45 or 50 psi, so that would be way too hard even if you’re heavy.

I have no idea what mine say, they still deform a bit but not much.

50psi is very noticeable on the road when riding to where I ride and absolutely horrible when braking hard. 136kg in my birthday suit this morning so I ask a lot of my brakes, even though I’m very average speed wise.

I think if I followed Rich down a bike park I’d just waved as I sail past on my way to a crash.

Dave!

[McSwede]

I fancied going out on my bike last Sunday as the snow was falling but didn’t have time. Probably more fun today anyway; clear skies and the snow from last weekend is still very much present.

Pleased with the grip from my tyres. Must get some more thick socks though.

Are using one of those post dropper things??

[Rich B]

I fancied going out on my bike last Sunday as the snow was falling but didn’t have time. Probably more fun today anyway; clear skies and the snow from last weekend is still very much present.

Pleased with the grip from my tyres. Must get some more thick socks though.

Are using one of those post dropper things??

not sure if this is a subtle dig or a genuine question!

[McSwede]

I fancied going out on my bike last Sunday as the snow was falling but didn’t have time. Probably more fun today anyway; clear skies and the snow from last weekend is still very much present.

Pleased with the grip from my tyres. Must get some more thick socks though.

Are using one of those post dropper things??

not sure if this is a subtle dig or a genuine question!

I was being a little mischievous

[Jobbo]

Yeah, I love my dropper. Rich probably benefits from his in other ways but for me it helps getting on and off

[KiwiDave]

Yeah, I love my dropper. Rich probably benefits from his in other ways but for me it helps getting on and off

[McSwede]

I've just bought and assembled a Forme Kinder 24 for my daughters Crimbo pressie and it's a cracking little thing. Only just over 9kg.

Hopefully something she'll enjoy riding on some trails. I'm going to get myself a new mtb as my Orbea is ancient (and heavy), the front forks are buggered and I've been looking at mtb's a lot and I really want to buy one I'll also use it to be out with my daughter which is the main thing.

What type should I buy? Hardtail or full suspension (which the inner child is desperate to buy). In the new year I'll try both by hiring when we go for a ride. I'm pretty much sure that everyone will say hardtail.

The floor is yours.