Any tips on gravel roads?

I was able to do the super floop which includes panorama. Parts of panorama are loose gravel from pea size rocks on upwards to quarter sized granite on a horse path. I found myself fishtailing on the descents and wondered if my setup is wrong. So far I have the cheapie nobby nic pumped up to 35psi with a tube in them.

I was reading several sites and many people recommend pumping up the tire to like 45psi so that the knobs dig deeper. Maybe my tire choice is bad. Can anyone chime in? I think my weekday rides will be more Fullerton than cooks corner.

Thanks!

 

remove tubes, convert to tubeless, run 20-23 psi. FWIW, I've never run more then 32psi in any mtb tire at any time. Since I've gone tubeless, that number has dropped down to 25-27 (even lower on my 29er xc rig)

 

I would avoid sites that give advice like this...

 

What Ebruner said – air down.

What rossage said – ask here first : )

 

There's nothing wrong with your setup. I've ridden that more times than I can count along with other gravel roads even worse, on tire pressures from 20 to 40 psi on tire widths from 1.8 - 2.25 in. No difference noted.

The trick is to float across it. Not sure how to explain that other than try not to hang on too tight. Let it wobble and concentrate on staying directly over COG. Don't pedal through - pedaling will make the fishtail worse.

 

You guys rock! Thanks for the info. I am going to try converting the tires tubeless and run a lower pressure.

Also, @Runs with Scissors you got to show me how to float over gravel. The minute I start to fishtail, I tense up and slam on the brakes.

 

Be glad to but it would have to be on a weekend. Stupid job eats up my weekdays something fierce.

 

Stop doing this! Problem solved. No matter what pressure you run...

 

"Use the force!!"

 

The best advice would be to stop riding on gravel roads. Problem solved!

 

Uh-oh, watch your back.. male gender avatars make @Mikie crazy. Hopefully you're not bothered by a little gender neutralization.

 

I thought you had to have a gravel bike to ride on gravel...

 

Every mountain bike is a gravel bike.

Not every gravel bike is a mountain bike.

 

My $0.02 are these: Ride with some company of similar skill to experience a little exhilaration on gravel roads. You haven't lived if you haven't rubbed elbows at 25 mph.

 

This x 1000!

 

Hah! Quite the opposite. Question mark avatars drive me crazy? Why have them? Oh wait, that's probably not okay to say out loud...

 

People are lazy???? Ooooopsies.......I said it.

 

Or maybe they're "curious"...