Proper psi for FAT Bike racing?

[Dirt]

I'm perplexed. When I run high psi on my fat bike, I'm (relatively) speedy through straightaways and can pick up speed quickly; however, in the technical, rooty, rocky stuff I bounce around like a Plinko chip.

When I run lower psi, my bike gobbles up the technical stuff but it feels like I'm dragging a dead body whenever I lose momentum or I hit the straightaways.

From those of you who have raced fat bikes before, what have you found to be the more beneficial option (specifically considering the Stampede)? I know the standard answer might be to try it several ways and dial it in to a happy medium...I just don't have time to figure it out b/t now and Sunday, so I'm looking for the short cut here.

As an aside, remote lockouts have been invented...Why not remote tire inflator/deflators? That would be freakin' useful!

[SweetSVT99]

I ran about 10.5psi at last year's race, using the same tire combo you have. It seemed to be a good happy-medium for me at the time.

[bleedfororbea]

i usualy run 30psi but i dont weight that much =) i have nitrogen here at work if u wanna stop by we can fill your tires with it and youl nock at least 5 seconds off your lap time

[Dirt]

Thanks Zach. That's extraordinarily unhelpful. :)

[BD83]

Try to find a fatbike with a lefty that is unattended Sunday morning - maybe distract the owner with a beer - now you have a lefty for the price of a beer and you're all set.

[badfish41]

I'd say about the same as Steve, I think I may go a little less, maybe 9-10 at Sylvan. Maybe 9.728. Yep, that's the ticket.

May be a game time decision with all this weather we're having.

[mtnbkn1]

Just stuff 'em full of marshmallows and roll with it! Gotta use Stay-puft or else it won't work, or so I've read on MTBR...

[Guldy]

Amazed at all pisspoor advice on topic. You asked to dial in happy medium -- go 3.2 psi front, 41 psi rear best of both worlds. Satisfaction Guaruhhhnnnnnteed.

[badfish41]

Amazed at all pisspoor advice on topic. You asked to dial in happy medium -- go 3.2 psi front, 41 psi rear best of both worlds. Satisfaction Guaruhhhnnnnnteed.

I take it back, I like Guldy's advice.

Ultimate Braaaaap!

[Vittetoe761]

Just fill them full of Stans...you will be able to run the lowest PSI possible and will never get a flat.

[mtrsprt43]

I think roadies run like 120 psi so they are faster and have less rolling resistance . I would go a step further and fill them with helium like a blimp to at least 150psi. That way you will be fast and light ....

[farmboy]

Assuming you're running stock meat (Larry / Endo) For normal Beverly Park conditions, I find 10 psi to be just about right. Grip it and rip it superman.

[irishtsunami]

I found this to be very helpful:

http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com...-answered.html

great discussion on tire pressure

[Dirt]

150 pounds of helium. Brilliant!! Thanks for the suggestions (almost) All! Appreciate it!

[SweetSVT99]

I have to admit, I'm a little ashamed of myself for giving a serious answer.

[mtrsprt43]

I'm not .......

[Vibrato]

I was runing about 15 in the rear and when the tire blew it sounded like someone let go of a balloon without tying it off. I'm just glad it didn't fly all over the woods when it did it. I'm thinking the guy in the blog is pretty on- 10 lbs is plenty.

[Dirt]

Damn. I gave up on this thread. Didn't realize it still had legs. Guldy, your advice, as always, is impeccable. Your judgment, on the other hand, is suspect at best - particularly, when coupled with my less-than-wise fat biking antics.

Together, we are a bit of a train wreck...And I love it!

Tubes full of Stan's works great. 10.5 psi truly was pretty much the perfect amount for the race. Thanks you bunch of monkeys.