I have a cross bike that I use mostly for riding around the neighborhood. I want to get it out on some of the mtb trails I ride, but not sure what sort of tire pressure to run.

I have 32s on my cross bike and think the max pressure on them is 80psi. What is a good pressure to run for trail riding? I imagine that running a slightly lower pressure would be best for traction and shock absorbtion but don't want to go so low as to get frequent snake bite flats / bent rims.

thanks
Matt

whats your weight??????ß

80 is absurdly high, unless you 250lbs and riding it on pavement

for most races i end up in a range of 20-30 terrain dependant
if you aren't great at picking lines, go higher then lower

I weigh about 145# and run Michelin muds at 38psi when on single or double track. I've raced 'em at lower pressure, but would fear flats at any lower pressure of rocky/rooty trails.

I weigh 200 pounds.

Incidentally I would not ride with them at 80 (even on pavement)...just was stating the max pressure rating of the tire for reference.

80 is absurdly high, unless you 250lbs and riding it on pavement

for most races i end up in a range of 20-30 terrain dependant
if you aren't great at picking lines, go higher then lower

I RESENT THAT!

I blow out 38's @ 70psi all the time and I get complimented on my lines for smoothness...granted, only when I'm riding the cross bike.
185-210 lbs.

It's all about terrain...20-30 is asking for trouble if you don't have tubulars...and a groomed race course. If you have smooth rolling trails w the occasional rock, you might be able to pull off 30 on the front and 40 on the rear... if you're carefull. If you like to use momentum to get by rocks or have fire road descents, then no dice. For your 32's, MINIMUM 40 on front and 60 on rear.

It depends on the trails you will be riding. I'd just ride over to the trails with your 80 psi and let down the tires a little as you are riding. For just riding around on the trails, you want a decent bit of presure so you don't get flats, but not so much that you get bounced all over the place and crash constantly. Especially in the summer, you can ride a somewhat hard tire, I dunno maybe 60 psi but my guage hasn't worked for years. I'm not Joe Tire Expert, but some of the presures people suggest in this thread seem a little overlow for just knocking around on trails.