Winter tyre pressures

I doubt it would be a great difference but surely the pressure cold in summer is not the same as cold in winter? winter being a hell of a lot colder... the air would surely be moving slower inside tryre?

Ok, not many responses so I'll elaborate ... there are two clear diametrically opposed schools of thought WRT setting tyre pressure for different ambient temperatures ... its cooler ... reduce the pressure -> the extra movement in the tyre through wall/tread deflection generates more heat and you get to your optimum temp/pressure. The second school -> as you are not generating as much heat in the winter (its colder and you can't ride as fast), the air is not going to expand as much, so you pump the tyre up - therefore it doesn't have far to go to get to optimum pressure ...

So the question is kinda double barrelled ... firstly do you set the pressure to a different setting in the winter and if you do, do you set it higher or lower?? ...

I suspect most people just set it the same year round ...but probably through ignorance than any rationale ... just wondering how many people actively change pressures ...

Not trying to sound clever as I don't even bother setting my pressure to anything specific* at any time of the year - so I just don't care/am just lazy!!! - like I said my question is just curiosity ...

*don't even know exactly what the SV pressures are supposed to be!!

I must say I have never heard of this practise. I'm not sure I'll be trying either approach - sounds like snake oil to me.

ok just having a few beers and trying to read this tread and i must say im lost its going right over my head,i took it for granted u keep ur tyres at the manufactures rec at all times

I only change my pressures if I'm taking a pillion or a heavy load, plus I don't feel the need to compensate in the winter simply because its the winter and I'm less likely to push the tires as I do in the summer. Most of the time with my Conti's I'm running 36/38 anyway, I imagine if I was running a softer compound I might try 34/36 as they will heat up quicker.

Originally Posted by thebluelion

ok just having a few beers and trying to read this tread and i must say im lost its going right over my head,i took it for granted u keep ur tyres at the manufactures rec at all times

Nothing WRONG with doing that, but that is not to say you can't fiddle ... a bit like the standard shock setting, hit has a default, but you configure it to your needs/tastes ...

Originally Posted by Grinch

I only change my pressures if I'm taking a pillion or a heavy load, plus I don't feel the need to compensate in the winter simply because its the winter and I'm less likely to push the tires as I do in the summer. Most of the time with my Conti's I'm running 36/38 anyway, I imagine if I was running a softer compound I might try 34/36 as they will heat up quicker.

Do you tend to check your pressures? I tend just to pump them up initially when I put them on the rim to somewhere over 30 (but <40) and just leave them ... if they feel a bit squidgy, I pump them up ...

It surprises me how 4nal some people seem to be about tyre pressures to the last PSI ...

No I don't.

It is a fair question imo. The temperature differences from cold during summer riding can be 30C+ whereas in the winter it is probably only of the order of 15C. If the cold starting pressure is the same in both instances is stands reason that the summer operating pressure will be higher than that in the winter. Although I seem to remember reading somewhere (sorry no reference available) that in the wet reducing the pressure helps the tyre generate more heat. I am just guessing here but I would imagine manufacturers have to accommodate such a wide spectrum of riding condition with one set of pressures that it is only a comprise that is published so there will be some flexibility to suit the individual rider in various conditions.

just my opinion of course

i check my tyre pressures when i get new tyres and after that just make shure there hard with my thumbs and leave the rest up to the feel of the handling