Your TIRES are LYING to YOU!

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  • Опубліковано 1 січ 2020
  • The number on your sidewall doesn't mean what you think it means. We learn about finding your optimal tire pressure from the guy who helps pro riders like Peter Sagan find their tire pressure for Paris-Roubaix. For more of Josh, check out Marginal Gains Podcast: marginalgainspodcast.cc
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 560

  • @hubdeep9452
    @hubdeep9452 4 роки тому +273

    I live in the North of England. Some of the negative spaces in our asphalt is 2 or 3 feet across.

    • @PathLessPedaledTV
      @PathLessPedaledTV  4 роки тому +8

      Ha.

    • @stuartdryer1352
      @stuartdryer1352 4 роки тому +6

      We can top that here. Some of the ones here drop you to the center of the earth.

    • @vahanara
      @vahanara 4 роки тому +3

      Some "pothole gardening" are started, in fact, in UK.
      _Weather_ is key word.

    • @vibratingstring
      @vibratingstring 4 роки тому +1

      One time in high school, I was bombind down Rex avenue towards the Wissahickon (on my 531 Reynolds tubed Raleigh road racing bike) at a high rate of speed. This road becomes a woodland path but I wasnt' to that part yet. I saw a new wash-out so I bunny hopped it. When we came back up the hill later, it was about 3 feet deep and over 6 feet long!

    • @moverhh
      @moverhh 4 роки тому +2

      Everything is bigger in America, even the pot holes ;-) ... (my first impression at a visit)

  • @Tomalahno
    @Tomalahno 4 роки тому +177

    I think it’s important to raise my tire pressure 2-3% in January to support December’s holiday eating.

    • @StoccTube
      @StoccTube 4 роки тому +4

      Thomas Benenati I like to work on eating in 2-3% more in Dec to prevent the need to let the air out of over inflated tires! 😂

    • @nicholasthiery9542
      @nicholasthiery9542 4 роки тому +3

      #supplelife

    • @DEFKNIGHT
      @DEFKNIGHT 2 роки тому +1

      Smart. I do similar things according to temperature. When it's warm I raise pressure. The tire is more supple when it's warm so it gets squishy when pressures are too low. When it's cold I lower temperature maybe down 5 or even ten psi because the compounds suffer greatly when cold. Tires lose grip when they are cold. This effects grip when power is applied due to deflection and lack of grip when cornering due to the hardness/deflection ratio. Cold over pressured tires can be deceptively dangerous when taking a corner where you are used to one cornering speed on a known path when warm and then grip is significantly less cold. Think race cars wherein they do a setup lap getting tires up to temperature before they do a timed lap or the danger of becoming passed due to a lack of cornering speed because their tires where cold coming out of the pits. Same principle, different application of that science.

  • @captaincoyote1792
    @captaincoyote1792 4 роки тому +16

    I’m 65....and I testify right now....to the UA-cam crowd.....that I am an idiot! This video is exceptional! Old dogs CAN learn new tricks! I think I recentlyruined a brand new custom STANs wheel.....by inflating my tire to the marked tire pressure. Idiot that I am......the tire was fully 30% HIGHER than the rim’s high pressure. When it blew, (I’m retired military and law enforcement), I swear, I went to my knees and reached for my right hip! Thank you, again.....great educational video!

  • @deanherde805
    @deanherde805 4 роки тому +187

    He's like the Quentin Tarantino of tyres.

    • @davidcummings5826
      @davidcummings5826 4 роки тому +2

      Dean Herde yes but, blissfully, with fewer potty words.

    • @phxrsx
      @phxrsx 4 роки тому

      "Did you see a sign in front of my house that said.... "

    • @unclejoe7466
      @unclejoe7466 4 роки тому

      If the word "right" was a pebble, this conversation would be a gravel road.

    • @macswanton9622
      @macswanton9622 4 роки тому +4

      Yes. He is a happy genius. A rare creature indeed.

    • @adamlynch9153
      @adamlynch9153 4 роки тому +2

      No mention of foot fetishes

  • @Rusty10speed
    @Rusty10speed 4 роки тому +123

    I've recently started to prioritize smoothness and comfortable riding over speed, or the perception of speed, since I found this channel. I'm never looking back #supplelife

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 4 роки тому +8

      Pumping up your tires rock hard only feels fast. Lower, reasonable tire pressures are also quite counter intuitive.
      In reality on typical rough roads you are being bounced around frequently and you need to maintain your line to keep the bike headed where you want it to go. Your body will absorb this shock and become fatigued sooner using higher tire pressure. Over time these bumps add up to fatigue, both physical and mental.
      With reasonable lower pressures these effects are lessened. More comfort equals longer rides and feeling fresher at the end of a long ride. Reasonable pressure lends more traction in cornering and more solid braking.
      Less pressure can lessen your chances of puncture flats, but increases risks of impact (snake bite) flats and rim damage. Once you start using lower pressure, get your weight off the saddle when riding over bumps and obstacles like railroad tracks, rocks , roots and logs. Get off the saddle and use arms and legs like shock absorbers for sustained rough terrain. Unweighting the bike allows the rider to roll over very large obstacles that might otherwise cause a crash, serious injury or damage to the bike.
      In reality, the only time rock hard tires give an advantage are on exceedingly smooth pavement or on a velodrome.

    • @GasmanA
      @GasmanA 3 роки тому

      I just got a Midnight Special that weighs 38% more then my Giant TCX with exact same gearing. The TCX had 38mm and 60 psig and the Surly has 650b 47mm tires at 42 psig and multiple trips on my 15 mile test loop is 8% slower! Supple life AND speed, thanks @pathlesspedaled

    • @ChrisPowellMerleApAmber
      @ChrisPowellMerleApAmber 2 роки тому

      @@rollinrat4850 I like the summary you've given this presentation. The point I'd contest might be unloaded weight off the seat for general duration riding. Obviously, off the saddle during high intensity transitions is a very good thing. Yet, people are speaking more (in endurance and touring) of the reduction in muscular load when the rider is not constantly tensing against vibration and increasing tenseness in lifting their entire upper mass off the saddle. So, just a bit more to consider as we define our approach to efficient riding. Cheers!

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 2 роки тому +1

      @@ChrisPowellMerleApAmber I ride efficiently and for randonneuring type distances on mostly rough urban roads and also very rugged back country terrain. I'm only referring to getting weight off the saddle when negotiating road obstacles, bumps, railroad tracks etc. Keep your weight on the saddle and you will experience more flats, wheel damage and fatigue on a road bike. Try to corner hard, brake hard or descend fast on rough roads without these techniques and you'll fall behind.
      At least around here we don't have smooth well maintained roads!
      You merely need to get your weight off the saddle, it's not like you're standing to sprint and I never do it for much longer than moments. When you use your arms and legs as shocks, you maintain better traction very similar to bending your knees while skiing.
      I noticed long ago as a road racer my upper body was getting weaker. I started riding offroad and built up my upper body strength and for long rides my core supports my weight better and I'm a much better bike handler. These are things that make one a more well rounded rider better able to tackle any condition.
      These are the kind of things most riders are only going to learn through long riding experience and offroad riding. But it can be applied well to rough pavement riding.
      Try to ride a truly rough and technical dirt trail without getting off the saddle and you will get bounced out of the saddle and eat shit! This is part of the reason for dropper seatposts that are now used on gravel bikes as well as MTBs.
      I can get my skinny tired road wheels to roll over very large objects such as rocks and logs just by unweighting over them. This is also a skiing technique of sorts. By doing these things I am allowing the wheels to literally float over the obstacles, not slam into them.
      If you want to descend rough pavement fast, there is no other way than to use your arms and legs unless you're using suspension or high volume low pressure tires. Even then knowing how to handle a bike makes riding simply more efficient, but especially more fun!

  • @chrisralston2654
    @chrisralston2654 4 роки тому +79

    Josh is a great interview. It’s rare someone can talk so much about the same subject and keep it interesting.
    The “negative space in the smooth road” explanation was enlightening. His knife cutting a mop analogy was particularly good at explaining sidewall cuts.

  • @johnherzel718
    @johnherzel718 4 роки тому +25

    I just spent 30 minutes listening to why I like wider tires with lower pressures. Didn’t think I would ever say that! Very interesting and very informative, nice!

  • @Potz4pizza
    @Potz4pizza 4 роки тому +52

    This was really great - bringing us all further out of the biking dark ages one talk at a time.

  • @Jeff.Slavich
    @Jeff.Slavich 4 роки тому +30

    Great interview. From a tech perspective I think it was your best, at least for me. Josh is fantastic and thanks for allowing him to go on about a topic. Many interviewers would have cut for time. I really appreciate that.

  • @axessdenyd
    @axessdenyd 4 роки тому +52

    When I got my first road bike, the guy who ran the shop was all about tire pressure. He said to always run the max pressure that was on the sidewalls.
    He also always recommended one tire: The Vredestein Fortezza.
    The max pressure on the Vredestein Fortezza is 175psi.
    Riding chip seal pavement on that bike I thought I was going to lose teeth.

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 2 роки тому +4

      Geez, the pressure on the sidewall is a safety rating. Find a better shop.
      I liked those tires too. I ran the 28s at 70-75psi. Even less Offroad. I dug their 'cross tires too. I wouldn't run 175 in my track tires!
      Just get solid rubber tires that are impossible to flat. You'll get the same sensation!

    • @SugmaDLigmaNutz
      @SugmaDLigmaNutz Рік тому +2

      85-100psi seems fine for less than ideal road conditions on a 23-28c tire. Higher the pressure the less rolling resistance. Less rolling resistance = faster speeds. Larger volume tires can handle less psi. Smaller volume tires require more.

    • @0xsergy
      @0xsergy Рік тому

      @@SugmaDLigmaNutz 28c is the ideal rolling tire usually anyway. might depend a bit on specific tires but i think that the consensus was 28 was best with 32 slightly behind by like 0.5W but much more comfort. 65 front and 75 rear is just fine.

    • @manuelluis5456
      @manuelluis5456 Рік тому +1

      ?

  • @davec6087
    @davec6087 4 роки тому +16

    Great informative talk. I just dropped the PSI on my Gravel bike ( tubed) down to 60 psi from 80 and felt no difference in speed but a smoother ride. Certainly felt the slight wander at the rear on cornering so may go up a couple of PSI, I ride mostly road but our roads have lots of voids due to rocky pavement. Love your channel and really dig the non competitive gravel culture that you espouse. Keep up the good content.

  • @solarwind907
    @solarwind907 Рік тому +5

    This is the kind of podcast I will listen to 2-3 times. Your guest was as good as they get.! Thanks again!

  • @seanobrien4505
    @seanobrien4505 4 роки тому +6

    Never thought I’d find myself watching through a video on tire pressure, but this was really good! Great information!

  • @LindyLooo99
    @LindyLooo99 4 роки тому +21

    My 25 year old niece just walked past me and heard me listening to this and gave me a WTH look!! Hahahaha

  • @JoeBieniecki
    @JoeBieniecki 2 роки тому +2

    Great interview. Have to love it when someone who has extreme depth of understanding in a field is able to communicate the principles to those who don't. Thanks.

  • @HeavyZCH
    @HeavyZCH 4 роки тому +7

    I'm a newbie in biking. I only commute. I got 2 tubes that I pinched since July, for 1600km of riding. So I decided to inflate them at max PSI...
    And NOW, you all make me dive into this new rabbit hole of tire pressure...
    I'm gonna ghetto-tape my wheels for a tubeless setup.

  • @tomordr
    @tomordr 4 роки тому +1

    Man, this is why I love this channel and am a patreon supporter. You do great, great work Russ and your interviews are top notch. Your videos range from relaxing fun to uplifting to technie nerd out extremely informative and helpful. Thank you! I truly enjoy your channel.

  • @steveflor9942
    @steveflor9942 4 роки тому +4

    Wow! What an excellent video. Every single assertion that Josh makes is born out by what I know of engineering and years of personal road and mountain bike riding. Take his words to heart! And, Thanks

  • @torstenfrank1856
    @torstenfrank1856 4 роки тому

    Very pleasantly surprised. I wasn't so sure what I would find with that title from you. Good choice to have Josh. Very cool that he agreed to share his insights with you and us. Thank you.

  • @scotti_wan_kenobi
    @scotti_wan_kenobi 4 роки тому +6

    Very interesting interview, Russ. I've been trying to convince my friend that his pressures are too high, I'm going to send him this video.

  • @robmartin1792
    @robmartin1792 4 роки тому +3

    That was a fantastic interview. Really nice work. You do a great job talking with interesting, knowledgeable people to help dispel some long standing myths. Particularly, for the non racing folk which, as Josh mentioned us pretty much all of us! Thanks again! Keep up the great work!

  • @andrewmcalister3462
    @andrewmcalister3462 4 роки тому +4

    I've long been a convert to smooth is fast, but I did learn something new in this video about pressure, case tension and risk of sidewall cuts. Thanks Josh, thanks Russ.

  • @megvandewalle1444
    @megvandewalle1444 4 роки тому

    This was awesome, great find for an interview- Thanks, y'all!

  • @stuartdryer1352
    @stuartdryer1352 4 роки тому +6

    Thanks for letting us know about the Silca tire pressure app. The feel I get following its recommendation on my road bikes is incredible. It is transformative for me. This is one of those rare cycling videos that has been not just interesting, but which provided practical info that iimmediately changed my cycling. I thought I ran relatively low pressures before but they still weren't low enough.

  • @danielpwagner
    @danielpwagner 4 роки тому +1

    Fenomenal. Thank you - proud to be helping you guys on Patreon

  • @wolfeb99
    @wolfeb99 4 роки тому +13

    Terrific interview, Russ

  • @TOCycleCommuter
    @TOCycleCommuter 4 роки тому

    Every time I re-watch this, I pick up on some new detail or concept. There's just so much information in here. Amazing interview.

  • @Kaosad69
    @Kaosad69 4 роки тому

    What a fantastic explaination of tyre losses. I have watched a bunch of videos on this subject and this guy has nailed explaining losses.
    He didn't even need a power point or fancy graphics!

  • @danielbum912
    @danielbum912 4 роки тому +3

    Absolutely loved his vivid way of explaining

  • @davidbianic4350
    @davidbianic4350 4 роки тому +6

    I could listen to Josh for hours. Thanks Russ for those bike-nerdy guests

  • @robinbradbury2653
    @robinbradbury2653 4 роки тому +3

    Wow this is the most interesting and educational discussion I have heard in a long time! I so enjoyed this and will have a play with those pressures.

  • @georgetapley776
    @georgetapley776 4 роки тому +7

    This has been a great video, hit on topics that I have been preaching for years. I am glad that an engineer finally validated what I have been talking about. I cannot say how many people made fun of me 25 years ago when I would show up on 32c tires stuffed into my road bike. I also loved the talk on aero vs tire pressure and tire pressure vs ceramic bearings.

  • @pedalinn_au
    @pedalinn_au 4 роки тому +1

    Great video, so many people run too much pressure and it is great to see someone validating what I have been saying for years. Keeping track / notes are key.

  • @BrantleySmithNC
    @BrantleySmithNC 4 роки тому +20

    Fascinating. I've been a low pressure fan for years. His way of explaining the why is the best I've heard. Thanks so much for putting this together, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

  • @artfulstationer
    @artfulstationer 4 роки тому +7

    I found this so fascinating, thank you for doing this interview. I used to ride a much heavier bike than I do now for mountain biking. And back in the day I would run the biggest tire I could fit which at the time was 2.8 and no one could understand why I did so. They all thought that it was totally unnecessary and that I was just running big tires to run big tires. But for riding here in the Northeast with all the rocks and roots it made sense and I use to tweak the air pressure all the time depending on the terrain. I was, without really knowing it, looking for the smooth feeling. I feel so justified right now.

  • @MichaelGroenendijk
    @MichaelGroenendijk 4 роки тому +23

    I pump the tire and after i sit on the bike i say: "that's good enough"!

  • @zachinsights
    @zachinsights 4 роки тому

    What a sharp guy. Those were great explanations! Thanks for the interview, Russ!

  • @timfarness5136
    @timfarness5136 4 роки тому +12

    Thanks Russ, this was very nerdy but satisfyingly Supple

  • @kathybenton2680
    @kathybenton2680 3 роки тому

    This was such a great interview/video. I am learning so much; I will probably have to watch it over and over again to process everything!

  • @elmaildecamiloruiz
    @elmaildecamiloruiz 2 роки тому

    Man this channel keeps getting better the more i look into it. this is so interesting!

  • @arminhess1512
    @arminhess1512 4 роки тому

    This was your best video! Could listen to him for hours. Very informatic and perfectly explained.

  • @ovash1
    @ovash1 3 роки тому +1

    Wow
    I never thought I would enjoy a 35 minute video about the science of tires.
    Really cool, amazingly knowledgeable guest.
    👊

  • @SeanoHermano
    @SeanoHermano 3 роки тому +1

    Thank You for this wonderfully informative interview! GCN went from saying supporting the skinny tire / high pressure line of thought for a while and then seemingly switched to the newer argument for slightly wider tires (as supposedly faster). But they never really explained the science behind it! This video was awesome. Just so incredibly helpful to better undertstand a complexi topic.

  • @richardvaughn168
    @richardvaughn168 4 роки тому +3

    This is a fantastic video - great content - and the enthusiasm of the expert is infectious. Thanks so much for sharing this information - it is going to change the way I ride!

  • @endcensorship874
    @endcensorship874 4 роки тому +3

    Great interview! Love information like this.
    I have a feeling the people who downvote are all like "I RUN MY TIRES AT 150psi AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME DIFFERENT!!!"

  • @jeffreyardziejewski2547
    @jeffreyardziejewski2547 4 роки тому

    Omg!!!! Your vids are only getting better! Thank you for putting out this content.

  • @nadgeemark
    @nadgeemark 4 роки тому

    Thanks Russ, this is absolutely the most enjoyable and informative UA-cam video on cycling I have watched. Brilliant work. 👍🏼👍🏼

  • @rogberube6422
    @rogberube6422 4 роки тому

    Thank for sharing, Russ. Thank Josh for this interview.

  • @nicsuploads5319
    @nicsuploads5319 4 роки тому +1

    Great interview! I really enjoyed this one!

  • @CaptainShiny5000
    @CaptainShiny5000 4 роки тому

    Amazing work and highly informative! Keep on keeping on!

  • @maciejjonasz8767
    @maciejjonasz8767 4 роки тому +1

    Top three best content series from Russ in no particular order 1) nerdy interviews like this 2) PLP Talks 3) Cave of bad ideas.

  • @mikeannear276
    @mikeannear276 4 роки тому

    Great interview. Super helpful for dialing in my commute over rough roads...

  • @2003chevyavalanche
    @2003chevyavalanche 4 роки тому

    This was such a great and informative video!! Just getting into gravel bike riding and really enjoying all the videos on your channel.

  • @HugoTeixeiraMckoy
    @HugoTeixeiraMckoy 4 роки тому +1

    Great video - and totally familiar to the situation - have been asking/convincing people their air pressure is too high (most of times). Impressive how many people over-inflate their tires, and still believe they are right - too much air means less comfort, less traction, more flats AND less speed. Learning your right tire pressure is quite a game changer.

  • @srfive3
    @srfive3 4 роки тому +1

    Russ, loved to see a convo like this with the creator of the catalyst pedal (pedaling innovations). The science and laymen understanding to how pedals vary and what is actually optimal vs what the industry has simply just been reusing for decades/centuries. Great info and vid as always, regret missing you at Philly Bike Expo.

  • @KenJones1961
    @KenJones1961 4 роки тому +2

    My eyes were glazing over in the beginning, but glad I hung on as it was very interesting and informative. Good explanation of why tubeless is better than tubes.

  • @christophergonda6992
    @christophergonda6992 4 роки тому

    Josh did an awesome job of explaining the physics of this and I really enjoyed it!

  • @edrianvillano9018
    @edrianvillano9018 4 роки тому

    Thank you for the information. A good way to start my new year. Learning useful things. Cheers to more content like this 😁👌👍

  • @paullucas7570
    @paullucas7570 4 роки тому

    Another great interview, thanks Russ! Understanding so many different factors that make up suppleness involves much more information than I ever realized... Wow!! I learned a lot from this. Thank You! Keep up the good work... P

  • @byronstumman7420
    @byronstumman7420 4 роки тому +39

    If it “feels fast” it probably isn’t. Smooth is fast. I’ve heard this in automotive racing all the time too.

    • @rasmuswi
      @rasmuswi 4 роки тому +3

      I first came across it in windsurfing. When you just lean back, relax and enjoy a magic carpet ride, you're most likely fast. When everything rattles, you're slow.

    • @stuartdryer1352
      @stuartdryer1352 4 роки тому +1

      This is the mantra for me from now on.

    • @eb2675
      @eb2675 4 роки тому

      I strongly believed this too, until I had the opportunity to take a few hotlaps in a car driven by ex F1 driver Roberto Guerrero. I considered the laps violent. They were incredibly faster than any of the local "pros". They are able to redefine a standard quite different of where the ragged edge actually is.

    • @stephenpoole6015
      @stephenpoole6015 4 роки тому +2

      Many years ago I saw a telecast of the DH Worlds. John Tomac was one of the last riders, and set the fastest time up to that point, but looked really ragged, on the verge of crashing for the whole run. The last rider was Nicolas Vouilloz who was super smooth the whole way, with little or no visible sliding. He absolutely nailed his run, easily setting the fastest time, while looking in total control the whole way. Smooth is good, and easier on gear too.

  • @ronaldsampang933
    @ronaldsampang933 4 роки тому

    Great interview. I love the point that you can have comfort and improve speed without spending too much.

  • @jasonbannan4024
    @jasonbannan4024 Рік тому +2

    Great interview. He is a great teacher the way he presented the concepts.

  • @Vam1500
    @Vam1500 4 роки тому +13

    Wow, I didn’t know that there was so much physics behind the term “supple”!

  • @paullefebvre6732
    @paullefebvre6732 3 роки тому

    I’ve been easing down the supple path for awhile... I finally went all in and got some Compass 700x55s, am just back from my first 20 mile ride on them and wondering how to dial in the pressure... happened to pull up your channel while I eat lunch and can’t believe how much information was in this, and it’s exactly what I need!

  • @JonFairhurst
    @JonFairhurst 4 роки тому +83

    Great interview. Great content. Even though Josh is race-focused, there’s lots of good stuff here for enthusiasts.
    It was especially interesting to learn about the advantage of wider rims - that the tire can deform more easily because it’s not as dependent on the flex of a perpendicular sidewall.
    One thing I wanted was some discussion of tubes vs. tubeless. Josh told how inefficient butyl tubes are. Latex is faster, but needs a daily refill (which tells me that it won’t be consistent on long rides.) Tubular is fine if a support vehicle follows you, but us mortals don’t get that luxury. That leads us to tubeless. I’d love to get his take on the topic.
    Lots to ponder!

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 4 роки тому +14

      Jon Fairhurst Heres a whole bunch of info on tubulars and tires in general that Ive gleaned in 50 years of hard riding, mostly by trial and ERROR!
      You'd only need a follow vehicle (or perhaps a cell phone and coverage) running cheap tubulars. These are a waste of time, money and a big mistake anywhere outside of a track.
      If you use the pro quality sew ups you don't need a follow vehicle! Once set up proper, pro quality tubs are very reliable. Pros wouldn't use them otherwise.
      Two issues with high end tubs are cost, at least $100-$150 per tire AND set up, the process takes a few days is very tedious and is very expensive if you don't want to learn yourself!! 1st tires need to be stretched and stored on rims without glue, then over another few days, glue must be repeatedly coated on rims and tires separately. The glue is a sort of contact cement. Then the tire must be carefully mated, 'trued' and made concentric on the rim. My high end shop charges $120 to install one tubular!! And that doesn't really cover our time!! Its a lot of work!!
      I generally prefer the fattest tires that fit in my frame due to long distance comfort and the abilities to run lower pressures and ride offroad.
      Randonneurs (hardcore long distance riders) knew about fat tires and low pressure decades ago! This is really nothing new!
      I ran Vittoria Paves and Clement Del mondo back in the day. Maybe 27-30c. Really fat tires, back in the day that is! I explored ALL the roads dirt, paved and hiking trails I could find all over the Santa Cruz mountains. My offroad pressure was 50-60 psi. I got really good at picking lines and using my body to absorb shock and unweighting the bike over the bigger obstacles. I believe that is the key to riding skinnies offroad! Being a good technical and trials rider lends little skills and tricks as well.
      I NEVER got flats until tires were worn thin and worn out. If we got a flat we would carry spare tubs with glue still on them, toe strapped under our saddles, Peel off the flat tire and stick the spare on. Pressure holds the tire on within reason. After that we would have to ride conservatively and not race, corner hard or ride downhill fast and brake hard. Imagine rolling a tire off your rim at 25 mph, much worse 50! But we would finish our rides and get home after flatted tubs. Maybe you've seen pictures of early TDF riders with tires around their shoulders? These were spares! We only raced and cornered hard on fresh, well glued tires! I never got a 2nd flat simply because I rode much more carefully with a spare mounted. Now with latex based sealant injected into tubes reliability would be even better considering good sew ups have latex tubes. Sew ups are still the ultimate performance tires, even offroad. Serious CX racers use them at incredible low pressure, a few World Cup mtb racers use them and they're well proven on very traditional pro road teams. There are good reasons this archaic technology is still favored by truly fast riders. Due to wider, stronger and lighter rims, the way the rim supports the tire and much less risk of pinch flats, the round shape of the tire, how it conforms to the irregularities of the road, absorbs shock and grips the ground all help give tubs a superior ride.
      That being said modern clincher construction, materials and tubeless technology has come a long way bridging the performance gap between clinchers and tubulars. Even clinchers with tubes are orders of magnitude better than they were in the '70s and '80s! I hated clinchers back in the day. They felt like solid rubber tires!!
      If you don't really push the envelope cornering or on descents you probably won't realize much benefit of tubulars besides the smooth ride and added comfort. Back in the day the performance gap between tubs and clinchers was enormous. With clinchers you would never stay with the pack in a race!
      I don't race anymore, ride pavement as little as possible (Wackofornia motorists) and my long endurance rides take place offroad, touring and bike packing in very remote areas.
      Ive used 'ghetto' split tube tubeless, the original tubeless creation, for 15 years. I use it with gravel, touring, CX and MTB tires. In those 15 years, after I dialed in my procedures and found tires that fit my rims well, I have not had a tire failure once that was not due to my negligence or a ripped out sidewall. No flats in 15 years!! Ghetto tubeless creates a tubeless, yet 'tubular like' construction that grips and confirms to the ground better. It allows very low pressure to be run. It makes it possible to convert almost any rim and tire to a tubeless set up and its the least expensive tubeless system by far!!
      I run 28-70 psi in my gravel/'cross/ touring tires, 33c-45c widths depending on weather, dirt, pavement, sand , mud,Ice, snow. I run 18-35 psi in my MTB tires, running 2.0-2.4 widths.
      Being a bike mechanic, having experienced most tubeless systems on the market, I really can't get behind road tubeless technology due to higher pressures,
      (above 80psi DUMB) much less reliability compared to offroad set ups that get abused to an astonishing degree
      and all sorts of compatibility, proprietary and fitment issues. Besides running pumped rock hard is obviously and idiotically absurd to a rider of my experience! The only scenario where high pressure is an advantage is on a velodrome or exceedingly smooth roads which just don't exist in my area of Wackofornia!!
      Ive built and maintain about a dozen sets of wheels for all my bikes,with tires for different conditions
      (old 'cross racers never die!) almost all tubeless.
      I have one set of old road wheels, '70s Campagnolo Record hubs with Soma 33c cotton tubular casing clinchers and latex tubes. These are used on my commuter/fixed gear 'cross bike. They are so fast (compared to my more normally used gravel wheels) that I need to use a cog 2 or 3 teeth smaller to avoid spinning out and running out of gear on the flat!! I did a 105 mile ride, never coasting on this bike with these wheels back in November!

    • @JonFairhurst
      @JonFairhurst 4 роки тому +3

      RollinRat -Thanks for the wealth of information based on real-world experience! Tubulars really do make sense for racers with lighter rims, lighter, more supple tires, and the safety factor and ability to ride on with a glued tire. That said, some time trialists on the tour now use tubeless fronts. As disc wheels start supporting tubeless, I expect that we’ll see them on the rears now soon. I’m guessing that this is just for flat stages. And maybe they’re being adopted for budget/workload reasons.
      Road tubeless has been flawless for me. I run 25s at 70-75 psi and 28s at 60-65 psi for for rough, Southern Oregon roads. I weigh 180ish. When the weather improves and I get some time, I’ll grab a notebook and optimize things. Your post removed any last inkling of me using tubulars. Even with perfect reliability, the cost and maintenance seem painful!
      Thanks again for your awesome post!

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 4 роки тому +2

      Jon Fairhurst Theres nothing like tubulars. You should try them at least once on a borrowed bike. They're like a manic carpet ride! Once you get hooked your a fanatic!

    • @JonFairhurst
      @JonFairhurst 4 роки тому

      RollinRat Could be an expensive test ride, lol. I risk tubular addiction!
      I’ve been riding 25 and 28c tires on 19mm internal rims. I’m getting an ENVE 4.5 AR Disc wheelset with 25mm internal width. I’m hoping that will provide a more supple ride with the ease of a tubeless setup.

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 4 роки тому +2

      Jon Fairhurst Choose tires wisely! Do your homework! Once set up right, Enve's set up tubeless great,at least the mtb rims I work on most often. But most tires fit insanely tight on their rims and nothing but their specific valves work very well.
      You could also consider latex tubes. The ride with nice supple tires is quite good! They require pumping up every ride just like tubeless. You should at least check tires every time you climb on the bike.

  • @chrisdonovan4958
    @chrisdonovan4958 Рік тому +2

    This was a great re-enforcement for me. I met a fellow in Oakland at a cycling event and he was going on about tire pressure and contact patches. He sent me some data and I have to admit it took me aback. Hard tires = fast was just accepted...I'm stubborn, but not too proud to admit I've been converted.
    Great video!

  • @neilstoddart00001
    @neilstoddart00001 4 роки тому

    great vid, fantastic start to the year!

  • @pnkbiankii
    @pnkbiankii 4 роки тому

    Fascinating, reliable, and useful post. Thanks so much! 👍

  • @MrPugsley1961
    @MrPugsley1961 4 роки тому +4

    Thank you Russ, this was an excellent interview and presentation. I am more times than not telling some of my riding buddies that thy're running too high a pressure. We have really crappy chip seal roads that have lots of negative space as your guest called it. I'm about 170 - 178 lbs. and I normally run 80 front 85 in the rear with a 25 mm tire that actually measures about 30 mm on my Easton R90SL rims. Keep it supple my friends, smooth is speed.

    • @josephfarrugia2350
      @josephfarrugia2350 4 роки тому +2

      Spread the word brother, you could even save them from a fall one day.

  • @magnusljadas2109
    @magnusljadas2109 4 роки тому

    That was really interesting. Keep on doing this!

  • @ChrisPowellMerleApAmber
    @ChrisPowellMerleApAmber 2 роки тому +1

    Exceptional discussion and highly valued information! Thank you.

  • @martinkrautter8325
    @martinkrautter8325 4 роки тому +3

    What I like about Josh's approach is that it is useful for recreational riders (like me) just the same. Optimizing riding comfort to get you as far as possible without killing you, thats the point. I made the experience of equaling or even outlasting stronger riders on touristic rides just because I always care a lot for a comfortable ride and position.

  • @Andrew-Andre
    @Andrew-Andre 3 роки тому

    This is an excellent discussion on the matter of tire pressure. Thank you very much for sharing it!

  • @al-du6lb
    @al-du6lb 2 роки тому

    Great interview. You let your guest talk and asked good questions.

  • @harlimaw
    @harlimaw 4 роки тому +3

    I love this content. It's like that interview with the merriam-webster guy.

  • @clbedits1097
    @clbedits1097 4 роки тому

    Real interesting this mate, thanks, enjoyed watching 👍

  • @velo.voyageur
    @velo.voyageur 4 роки тому

    This gets so nerdy on tires, but I absolutely love it. Thanks for this.

  • @willmajelanderson6254
    @willmajelanderson6254 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks for this video. I just got my tires down to comfortable a pressure and it really improved my ride!

  • @Chriswilliams-lx9mx
    @Chriswilliams-lx9mx 4 роки тому

    What a great interview,learnt a lot here today russ,remembering it all is the problem 🚴🏻🚴🏻👍

  • @teddgram
    @teddgram 4 роки тому

    More of this sort of thing, please. Great content!

  • @sbrown1953
    @sbrown1953 11 місяців тому

    What an informative interview! Such a wealth of information from Josh.

  • @MischkaSi
    @MischkaSi 4 роки тому

    This content is just gold. Thank you!!

  • @sabergo1
    @sabergo1 4 роки тому

    Great Interview. Keep these up please.

  • @solsonscherman2029
    @solsonscherman2029 4 роки тому

    Great interview score! Nerdy but useful, and FREE.

  • @SeanKWhite-lk5zf
    @SeanKWhite-lk5zf 3 роки тому

    Terrific interview. Thank you!

  • @bensieber657
    @bensieber657 4 роки тому

    Most interesting biking video I've seen in a looooong time. Really great!!

  • @stevenr5149
    @stevenr5149 4 роки тому

    Your video is causing me to question my own nerd credibility. I can't believe that I never knew what the tire pressure range on the sidewall meant!! OMG. Looking forward to more.

  • @tonypaddler
    @tonypaddler 4 роки тому

    This video has been so helpful and gave me a lot of food for thought. Thank you very much 👍

  • @gusnuk68
    @gusnuk68 4 роки тому

    Thank you Russ! Great interview.

  • @dewiz9596
    @dewiz9596 4 роки тому

    Fascinating stuff! Learned the hard way about overinflation during a 40 km TT, riding a Carbon Soloist. Soloist requires low tire pressures, but area tight fit with 25 mm tires. . .

  • @nealpoorman2159
    @nealpoorman2159 4 роки тому

    excellent video, thanks for posting!!!

  • @helenstergius
    @helenstergius 3 роки тому

    Thank you for this - I learned so much!

  • @test40323
    @test40323 Рік тому +1

    Discovering this interesting episode in 2023. Awesome subject matter expert, l learned quite a lot...thank you!

  • @richardharker2775
    @richardharker2775 4 роки тому

    Gosh! A lot of information there. Josh certainly is passionate about what matters to him. Great interview Russ but it looked like you were mesmerised too.

  • @stuartdryer1352
    @stuartdryer1352 4 роки тому

    Much good info in this video. Best I've ever seen on this topic. It hadnt occurred to me that cutting vs pinching would have different risk vs pressure. But it should have been obvious. That comment about smooth = fast maybe one of the most important things I've seen in a bike video for quite awhile.

  • @steveb1972
    @steveb1972 4 роки тому

    A truly fascinating half hour!👍🏻

  • @ptotheatsign
    @ptotheatsign 4 роки тому

    Great interview. Keep it up, PLP!

  • @paths2go
    @paths2go 4 роки тому

    awesome vid! so much information here

  • @jrbowens
    @jrbowens 4 роки тому

    excellent interview - thank you!

  • @sventice
    @sventice 4 роки тому

    This was awesome, I learned a lot!