There's more to tire pressure than just PSI

This is sometimes a tough one for those of us who have been in the sport, particularly road riding and racing, for a long time:

Fact:  Lower pressure (to a point) is often faster than rock solid.

I started road riding and racing on 21's and 23's, and I'm sure some of the readers were on 19's.  I can remember seeking out 23c Vredstein tires because even with a tube, they could be pumped up to 140 psi, as opposed to many other's topping out at 125 pounds per square inch (psi).  During a stage race a couple decades ago, a friend let me borrow his disc wheel with a tubular.  He said, "just check the tire pressure. "  I replied, "How much?  Like 125, 130?"  He simply laughed and said "Not quite.  Pump that sucker up to 180."  One hundred eighty psi on a disc wheel with my aluminum bike!  To say it was a bit of a harsh ride is an understatement.  I don't fault my friend.  At that time, it was readily accepted that harder was faster.

While it's been accepted in the off-road world, particularly in 'cross, that lower and very specific tire pressure  provides SIGNIFICANT advantages, the road world has been a little slower to adopt this mindset.

This Fasttalk podcast with the master himself, Lennard Zinn, does a great job of explaining the concept of psi and how tire size, road/trail surface, rider mass, rider style, and other important factors need to be considered.

https://www.fasttalklabs.com/fast-talk/lennard-zinn-and-the-art-of-tire-pressure/

And here is a great tool to help you get a starting point:

https://silca.cc/pages/sppc-form

So I encourage you to experiment from that starting point and find out what works for you.   Things to consider are the whole "system" weight.  Will you be wearing a hydration pack?  Packs on your bike?  What's in your pockets?  For cold winter days, even the weight of clothing can add up. 

Take notes as you go along and make sure you record the conditions.  For example, was it wet and slick or dry and dusty?  What was the terrain like?   How about the road/trail surfaces?  All this can help you get dialed in and make informed decisions.  I know I need to continue to progress from my stock "x psi in the front, and y psi in the rear." 

Remember:  safety first!

Until next time, bust out that floor pump, get an accurate gauge, and maybe a little lower is actually faster!

https://www.bjlcoaching.com/bls-blog/august-9-tip-of-the-week

Cheers,

Coach Brian

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