Our friends over at Mountain Bike Action (http://www.mbaction.com/) came to us last year with the request to provide their readers tips on how to optimize tire performance. We put our heads together and came up with a list of tips, practices and guidelines that we adhere to maximize our trail experience:
Tip one: Always run tires in the direction that the arrow on the sidewall indicates. Running a tire backwards may gain traction when climbing, but it often sacrifices braking and cornering performance.
Tip two: If you're going to run two different sized tires, we like to recommend running the larger tire in the front and a smaller tire out back. This way you can shave a little weight while still retaining traction and cornering performance up front where it matters most.
Tip three: Sticky compounds are great for traction, cornering bite and posses a slower rebound rate. But they give up a bit in durability to achieve these traits. Super sticky tires work really well, but they should be used by someone who knows the limitations and is willing to replace them. The softer rubber compound simply does not have a long life span and is less resistant to cutting/punctures when compared to harder durometers.
Tip four: If you pinch flat often, check the air in your tires. We would all love to run 20 psi with a tube but it’s probably going to lead to trouble - unless you are riding 'buffed' trails and the obstacles are light.
Tip five: You can also avoid pinch flatting by learning how to ride light and skimming over obstacles rather than slamming into them. Pre-loading is your friend - try to un-weight the bike over gnarly sections, look ahead and pick good lines. Your tires (and wheels) will appreciate it!
Tip six: Check your tire pressure with a gauge before every ride. Yes, we know many of you do the pre-ride ritual of grasping the tire and squeezing to determine the status. While this is quick and convenient, we urge you otherwise. Carry a pump in your car with an accurate gauge so you can easily do this. At home keep a hand held "test" tire pressure gauge. Periodically compare the gauges on your items against the one used by a pro shop. That way you will be able to catch a unit on its way out.
Tip seven: Different trails require different pressures, all the whilst considering your riding style. Higher pressures work better for some trails and for heavy riders. Lighter riders can use lower pressures, although there are always limitations due to rocks, bumps, trail texture and speed.
Tip eight: Adjusting the air pressure in tires is probably one of the most overlooked tuning tips, plus, it's easy and cheap! Many riders pour countless amounts of dollars into their bikes for suspension components, drivetrain items, expensive wheels, etc. but overlook a very simple item like proper tire pressure. If you’re unsure of what pressure to run, start high and air down while on the trail. You'll know when you hit the sweet spot in pressure because your tires will conform to the trail and provide ample grip but will have enough air to ward off pinch flats. We're sticklers for repeat performance, so we keep a journal of what pressures work best in which model tires.
Tip nine: If you're glancing off obstacles chances are your pressure is too high. We've heard some XC racers brag of using upward of 80psi in their set-up! Too much air will take the performance out of your tires and falls outside of many rim manufacturers specs for safety. Conversely, if it's too low the tires will fell like mush and roll off to the side in turns. Plus, denting rims starts to become a concern - especially in rocky conditions. The main point here is performance will suffer at the the extreme ends of the air pressure spectrum, so be aware.
Tip ten: Know the effects and limitations of rim width on tires. Just because you can mount a 2.50 tire on a narrow XC rim, doesn't mean you should or that it will perform well on the trail. Big tires on narrow rims usually cause more side wall squirm, give an unsettling feel while cornering and aren't the best application. Check the rim manufacturer's specs for sizing guidelines.
BONUS Tip: At the risk of sounding like sales pitch, there is no ONE tire. What you gain in traction you give up in speed. It’s a delicate balance that comes down to what is most important to you as a rider. There is no such thing as a “really fast mud tire” (or at least one that approaches semi-slick performance). That is why you should own several tires for various trail conditions. :^)
That about sums it up. If you have specific or further questions, hit us up with an email at bicycle@kendausa.com. Thanks for reading!
--- The Kenda Team
