Tire Pressure for 200lber?

A

avc8130

Active Member
I recently got a Diamondback El Oso and I've been struggling with tire pressure decisions.

The bike is currently running tubes. Tires are Kenda Juggernaut 4.5". I weigh ~200lbs.

I've started at 14psi up front and 12psi out back.

The front deflects off every rock. I tried the "higher" pressure on recommendations since it had the Bluto. I let out ~5 seconds (fun unit, right?) of air in the middle of my last ride at Jungle Habitat and it felt better.

The rear has been a pinch-flatter. First at Kittatinny (this one was good enough to ding the rim). I patched the tube and raised the pressure to 14psi after this one and we rode Jungle Habitat. Another pinch flat. This one actually snake bit the tire as well. I patched the tube and the inside of the tire for good measure. We trail-side pumped it up to "firm" using the old tire squeeze method of measurement. I didn't flat the rest of the day, but the ride sucked. Way too bouncy.

Any suggestions?

ac
 
I weigh 285 and I happen to like a firmer tire.like 14 in the rear and 10 or so in the front tire.Back tire is a little bouncy I just get off the saddle.I think it's faster firmer not so bouncy peddling. More responsive.No shock on my bike so the slightly softer front absorbs some of the blows. At your weight I would guess less air is needed.You can get a good gage for short money.Best way to dial in what works best for you.
 
I'm 210 these days. When I ran tubes I ran about 14 in the back and 12 up front on trail. But here's the thing. Very few pump gauges are accurate at the low pressures fat-bikes run at. You could be off by 50% up or down with a Gage that's not calibrated for low pressure. Tubeless now... and it really does make fatbike riding better....everywhere.
 
Last edited:
Tubeless is definitely on the way, just waiting until after the holidays to see if someone who loves me will get me the supplies 🙂.

I guess I'll go out with 12/14 next time and see where that takes me. The patch kit and pump are definitely coming along...
 
I weigh-in right near 200 lbs. and I am also riding with tubes. I will be going tubeless when I replace my current tires which are pretty worn and an attempt at tubeless might be futile. Anyway, I ride all the rocky places up north like Ringwood, Wawa, Jungle, etc. on my fatbike. I run 10psi front and rear and don't pinch flat. I have a Meiser low pressure gauge like the one at the link below and it is very precise. I was way off from the other gauges I owned. With these low pressures you really need something specific for reading them.

BTW - I do run lower pressures (6-8 psi) when I go to smoother locations like Allaire or Stewart...or when riding on snow.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GO4PY3Y/?tag=whois03-20
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom