Tire pressure to prevent pinch flat?

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2001kdx
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Tire pressure to prevent pinch flat?

Post by 2001kdx »

I sustained a pinch flat the other day on the rear and I was wondering if my tire pressure was the cause. I know I have a lousy 19" tire with MX sidewall, but for now that's what I've got to work with. I was running 12 PSI in the rear at the time of the incident. I've been thinking 14 PSI might help - any suggestions??
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m0rie
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Post by m0rie »

12PSI is pretty much the high end of what i'd run in a rear tire. Have you tried a heavy duty tube?
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Post by grump99 »

An 18 inch wheel is probably the best solution. There's a reason why woods bikes have them. :mrgreen: What kind of terrain caused the pinch?
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Post by thebleakness »

Myself and alot of my friends have 19" wheels I've never had any flat. 'Course we all are running Heavy Duty tubes as well..

12psi you say? Hmm, I've always run in the area of 14psi with no problems. I'll try lowering it one of these days and see how that works out.
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Post by Green Hornet »

HD Tube!!!!!!!
Thats what ya get for going yella :lol:
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Post by IdahoCharley »

Weight, terrain, speed, obstacles, suspension, stiffness of the tire's sidewall all play into what pressure will work to prevent most pinch flats for your riding. Heavy duty tube combined with a stiff wall tire and higher pressures will help prevent most pinch flats but the tradeoff is normally some loss of traction.

My approach for a given tire is to look at the swipe/wipe on the rim. This is where the tire has flexed back onto the side of the rim and wiped (or swiped) some dust from the edge of the rim. 2-3 mm is the general guide of a good working pressure - if your getting swipe marks of a quarter of an inch add a couple of pounds pressure. If you rim is not getting swiped - then the tire is not flexing enough and you should lower tire pressure a couple of psi. Same applies to the front tire.
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2001kdx
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Post by 2001kdx »

Well I gotta do something! If I get problems again I'm gonna spring for the Super-Duty tube, better(or at least more expensive) than the heavy-duty! I'll continue to go with 12 PSI.

So sad the first time I've had to work on the Zooki :(


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2001kdx
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Post by 2001kdx »

Almost there - Having trouble setting the bead, how many PSI should I use?
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Post by strider80 »

A lot, 50+ psi. At your own risk.....I have used 80psi before. Make sure the bead is well lubed.
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Post by 2001kdx »

Thank you, lubed it up and 35PSI did the trick. Now I'm goin ridin!
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