Saturday, Jan 12, 2013 at 12:59
Besides the extended footprint, lower pressures do allow a tyre to meld better over sharp rocks etc.
Generally higher pressures are responsible for punctures in rough tracks, gibber roads, sticks & rocks etc, though of course there are exceptions to the general rule.
Lower pressures (for sand 18 to . . . well flat if needed,
rock say around 22psi) are usually ok when turn slow and steady etc, unless you are using very low pressures often and go to the trouble of bead locking them.
You just need to watch the more exposed sidewalls as you negotiate sharp protruding rocky terrain, sharp root protrusions, and the like.
I'd dare say Dakar tyres used by race teams would have the latest in bead locks, but the speeds require higher pressure ?
That is an interesting comment in that link article though . . . 'The stony tracks oblige them to use high pressures (3 bars) to protect the tyres against damage and limit the risk of punctures.'
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