Bigger Volume - Same Pressure

mrkawasaki

Retrobike Rider
What are the expected performance differences between a bigger volume tyre (say 3") pumped to the same pressure as a smaller volume tyre (say 2.4")??
 
Contact area is always the same for the same pressure - tyre load divided by tyre pressure. The tyre deforms until the two are balanced. You can weigh a car by drawing round the tyre contact patch and calaculating the area, provided you know the inflation pressure.

You can get a bigger contact area by running a fat tyre at a lower pressure, this is possible without an inefficient sagged sidewall.
 
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