Fat Bike Tire PSI Explained

Here are all of the details and caveats to running the correct pressure for snow on a fat bike.
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[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Here is my deep dive on tire size: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nofbf4iAa55pp8U

[@joemcnamara7934]

The question always asked at the trailhead. I always give the same answer, "I don't know." Everyone is different. Great video.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching! Yeah good point, and even if riding the same trail at the same time with similar setups, I didn’t even get into how the PSI is getting measured.

[@luckyjim51]

To a non fat tire guy it was useless. So do you start at 4 psi or 34 psi...?

[@joemcnamara7934]

@@luckyjim51 For riding in snow, start with 10 and go down from there. Another factor to consider is gearing and riding style (speed). If you are keeping a high cadence, you can float better over the snow with more tire pressure. If you are trying to grind it out with a low cadence (especially on hills) you will need lower presser so not to dig in to the snow. I like to see my rear tire buckle slightly when sitting on the bike. That way I know it will compress more when I put pressure on the back and give me more footprint in the snow. For the front tire, I want a bit more pressure than the back but not so much that it washes out in the corners. The front should have enough buckle to conform to the snow and allow the bike to angle a bit through the corner.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

@@luckyjim51 kinda the point of the video, it’ll be depending on variables, and it doesn’t really matter what the PSI is. Most fat tires have a MAX psi of 30 or so, so even in the fastest rolling conditions for a heavier rider it will be below that. Since I don’t track my own psi it is likely in the 4-12 psi range depending on conditions.

[@TheLankyCyclist]

Great advice! Enjoyed playing around with pressure when I still had a fatbike.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching!

[@thomashospodar9808]

That's one good and informative video eep them coming

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching!

[@kristierundell8917]

Interesting and informative video ! Most of our riding is hard pack snow and ice. I just use the squeeze test and if fairly firm I am good to go. Thanks for posting !

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching, and for giving your feedback!

[@sherryhospodar2401]

Wow this sure was helpful to me . For the first time I have a better understanding of why tire pressure has always been a problem for me . Thankyou for the information

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching! Definitely worth experimenting with!

[@sherryhospodar2401]

Oh yes I will . You have changed my question why to now assessing the situation to know how to adjust accordingly. Great information. I appreciate it all and yours is always helpful !

[@DirtEveryWeekend]

Good info here for sure. I also have to add that riding Sand dunes in VA Beach 2 years ago opened my eye to various pressures. I went from pavement to dirt/gravel trails right into dunes. Lowering pressure was the only way to get through. Last yeah riding Hilton Head beaches there was almost no difference. I did not need to change pressure at all as those beaches are hard packed sand.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Yeah conditions can change radically and fast. And yea much like snow sand can be wildly different! Need to get some sand action this year!

[@dakilen]

Thanks for the informative video! Do you have a recommendation for a good tire pressure gauge for fat bikes? It sounds like you probably don’t use one often, but I would like to pick one up to use until I get better at judging by feel. I just picked up a new Surly Ice Cream Truck this week and am just starting out in fat biking. Keep up the good work!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching, and congrats on the ICT! Here is the gauge I have that I have found to be consistent and good even though I don’t carry it around with me much: amzn.to/42q5VCK

[@paigecollier8192]

Who’s that babe you’re holding hands with at the end 🥰🥰🥰 Great video babe 😘

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

The hottest fat biker around!!😘

[@JUACee]

I have 29er 2.25 in the front soft 53psi and 700cc 50x25 60psi Hard comfy with traction..👍🏾👍🏾

[@bjulaszek]

Traction on climbs is where tire pressure gets questionable for me. Enough to float vs enough for grip; always tricky to figure out. What reservoir where you riding at @7:00 in the vid? Great views!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Yep totally agree that climbing in more challenging (especially back country) trail conditions is always the trickiest for the reasons you mentioned. The reservoir at 7:00 is McIntosh Lake in Longmont, CO. Thanks for watching!

[@affluentforager5704]

Haha post hole joe 😂😂 love that

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

He seems to be everywhere this winter!

[@JUSTINHEALY80]

In all ur reviews etc… I’ve never seen ya review a borealis specifically “Flume” … and thoughts

[@JUSTINHEALY80]

*any thoughts.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

@@JUSTINHEALY80 great bikes for sure, hoping to bring them to the channel soon! They have always been on my top 10 lists.

[@JUSTINHEALY80]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend I will have to re-watch those video! I appreciate ur channel… it’s really helped me in my buying decision. Keep up the great content

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

@@JUSTINHEALY80 thanks for watching!!

[@mikaelljungberg1019]

Hello im about to by a fatbike and I want to know witch valve is the best for airinhbup and down allt?

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

If you mean the difference between Presta valves and schrader valves, I personally like and use Presta on all of my bikes. But schrader valves are functional if you wheels are sized for the bigger stem, you’ll want to be sure of that.

[@Peter63Bloomfield]

5' 11". Give or take 200 - 210 lbs. 60 years young. Experienced MTBiker / Racer. Ideal PSI for XC or Rocky Trails for a 4" o 3.5" tires???

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

That's a bit tough, because there are so many variables. Including 27.5 or 26" wheel size. But, but dry XC/rocky trails you'd probably be in the 8psi range? My motto especially in the dirt is to start high and then let a little air out if traction or comfort isn't good.

[@Paul-dn6dv]

You had a tire last three years. I get nine months out of mine! I ride my fat bike 3-4 hours sometimes five hours every day for me I like to run anywhere around twelve to twenty two pounds...

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Yeah my ICT doesn’t get daily use, after the first year I was only using it a few times a month.

[@theepimountainbiker6551]

I weigh 200lbs, bike is 70ish pound efat bike, on our packed trails I can run 8-10psi just fine. We have lots of rocks sticking out from the snow but the psi is hardly something I obsess about it.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Yep if you are having good results keep doing what you’re doing!!

[@FATKEVMTB]

My tire pressure gauge is my hand

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Yep!! That with some experience and trail feedback is better than anything!

[@user-vb3uh6cz7w]

👍👍👍

[@S-420]

Whatever the side of your tire tells you to put in it that's what you put in

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

That is not correct. The number on the side is typically only the MAX pressure, not to be exceeded. It is on there for safety reasons only. Some tires will show a range, but that again only tells you the limits. Your actual ride pressure, especially on a fat bike, should be much much lower than the max.

[@stevenfritsche8093]

I watched the entire video all the way through because I thought maybe you would throw out a tire pressure number. I have to say I am jealous that you walk around with an extra chromosome. chromosome?

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

The point of the video was exactly why I don’t dictate a psi figure, since I get asked so often. I don’t follow your chromosome state🤷🏻‍♂️

[@oldautos251]

No answer on tire pressure in psi dah, useless info, it's not on the tire?

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

The only number on the tire is the MAX, you should never be anywhere near that. The point of the video is that there is no one right pressure based on all of the variables. Me telling you or anyone else what psi to run is in fact, the useless information.