Q: My buddy always inflates his bike’s tires higher than the PSI recommendation. I always thought it’s best to underinflate your tires when riding off road. Who’s right?
A: Road riders we know like to pump their tires beyond the PSI recommendation, but not by much. Mountain bikers, on the other hand, like the cushion and extra grip afforded by a less-than-rock-hard tire. But underinflating a tire makes it slower, which can hinder climbing speed. So it’s a tossup. Most expert riders have their own preferred inflation; a fine line between hard and soft they discovered after countless hours on the trail. We know a few riders who like to let just a little air out of their tires when they reach the top of a single track, hoping the lack of air will soften their descent a tad. But with today’s robust suspension systems on most mountain bikes, the difference between a soft and hard tire is barely noticeable.
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