tire pressure -- as it relates to skills

I just replaced the tire on my 20" semcycle. I ended up with what seems a
rather nice bmx style tire (20x1.75). It was rated for pressure of 40-
100psi. I don’t think I’ve ever run higher than 60psi… and since this
tire was rated for higher, I pumped it up to 100 so I could find out if it
made a difference.

I haven’t ridden much, but I certainly felt the difference. As I’d
expect, with normal riding, the tire stays rounder (as compared to having
a flat spot when I’m running at a much lower pressure). In general, I
didn’t care for that feel. It took me a good 5 minutes to get the feel of
gliding again.

Anyway, all of that made perfect sense… then I tried stand-up wheel
walking. I made it farther, and stayed up longer than I ever had before.
(Unfortunately, that took me by surprise, and as soon as I realized I was
doing well, I fell off, hit my ankle on the pedal, and worked on simpler
stuff after that.)

I really feel like I had the tire pressure to thank for the better stand
up wheel walking. Does anyone have an explanation for that?

jeff lutkus

Sent via the Unicyclist Community - http://Unicyclist.com

Jeff Lutkus wrote:

<snip>
>
> Anyway, all of that made perfect sense… then I tried stand-up wheel
> walking. I made it farther, and stayed up longer than I ever had before.
> (Unfortunately, that took me by surprise, and as soon as I realized I
> was doing well, I fell off, hit my ankle on the pedal, and worked on
> simpler stuff after that.)
>
> I really feel like I had the tire pressure to thank for the better stand
> up wheel walking. Does anyone have an explanation for that?

Higher pressure means a smaller footprint. A smaller footprint means less
rolling resistance. Less rolling resistance means you can… well… roll
more easily. Which means you can adjust more easily.

Christopher


“Be Bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.” -Basil King (Anyone who
can give me more info on THIS Basil King please email
me.)

My short story at: http://www.rosedog.com/manuscript.asp?m=9389256&manusc-
ript=6862016&t=The+Determination+of+Jeffery&fn=Christopher&ln=Grove&srdt=-
9%2F27%2F01+5%3A32%3A05+AM&fs=2&ff=Arial%2C+Helvetica%2C+Verdana&ps=4000&-
s=735143750&folder=Search+Results