Hi Kathy,

What tire pressure do you run in your cyclocross tires for different conditions? How do you set up your tires to prevent flats?

Thanks,

Jen

Hi Jen,

This is an important question because your tire pressure can make or break your race. I would strongly recommend considering many different tire pressures on race day vs. just going with that one pressure that always works for you.

Depending on the race terrain I may have my tire pressure anywhere from 25 psi to 40 psi. In order to find the preferred tire pressure for the course I am about to race I get to the cyclocross venue with plenty of time, and start with my favorite pressures which fall right in the middle of the above number and then tweak the pressure from there.

Generally speaking, you would want to go with lower tire pressure for a muddy technical course and higher pressure for a smoother and faster course. Once you have ridden the course and think you have found the pressure you want, increase or decrease it to that desired pressure and then do a hot lap on the course to make sure you donʼt have any doubts. You want to do a hot lap on course so that you know how the tires and pressure are going to hold up at speed.

To address getting flats you may want to consider putting sealant in your tires. Yes, it adds a minuscule amount of weight but remember you donʼt have to use as much in your cyclocross tires as you would for an MTB tire! And it is great insurance against those nasty goat heads and any other sharp pointy object you may find yourself rolling over in a cyclocross race.

Thanks for your question!

Kathy Sherwin
SoBe Cannondale MTB Team