Author Topic: Suggested MTB air pressures by GEAX (full suspension vs front suspension  (Read 1172 times)

jim-ratliff

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lighter faster rolling tires are not faster on trail

http://www.leelikesbikes.com/are-freeride-tires-faster-than-xc-race-tires.html

This was a pretty good link, and my compliments to Lee's bikes for putting together such an instrumented and objective test. It just doesn't prove your assertion.  On the three mile flat putting out 100W, the cross country was 38 seconds faster.  On the 2 mile 10% climb the XC tire was 19 seconds faster.  On the trail, the lighter faster rolling tire was faster.  On any section that included curves and demanded traction, the freeride tire killed the XC tire. And they clearly say that in their analysis.

My conclusion.  Freeride (wider, low pressure) tires don't roll faster, but what they surrender is more than made up by additional traction for those riders that can take advantage of the traction.  Not my opinion, facts proved in the test. And it certainly highlights why real racers use wider, lower pressure tires.
And, even for me, I'm feeling like we've talked this to death.
« Last Edit: August 17, 2011, 07:18:10 am by jim-ratliff »
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