Thanks to Gordon’s diligent perusing of the Speedwell’s website (re: Rocker Cover Racers) he found the following info…
http://www.speedwellengineering.com/2010/09/tire-pressure-we-dont-need-no-stinking-tire-pressure/
Tire Pressure? We don’t need no stinking tire pressure
Just a quick note here. Long time ago I, like many of us have always stuck to the general tire manufacturer’s inflation recommendation. Typically for a 13 inch tire they’ll say anywhere’s from 28 to 32 psi, correct? That’s based on a car weighing in at around 2,000 pounds. Believe it or not, if you’re running a modern tire of just about any size on a Spridget, you actually want to be running about 18-20 psi cold on the side-curtain cars, and 20-22 psi on the roll-up window cars since they weigh a bit more. Aside from riding more smoothly at the lower pressure, you most likely find it to be less “darty” over bumps and will stick to the road so much better. Give it a try, if you don’t agree with the results, the worst-case scenario is that you’ll have that painstaking task of putting air back into the tires! Also, if you’re really adventurous, try setting your toe-in at zero instead of the BMC called for 1/16″ toe-in. I’d love to hear from any and all of you about your findings if you try it. I might even post views telling me I’m full of horse-hockey, too!
Interesting……… I have been running my tyre pressures at 18-20 psi for the last month or so and the difference is a Sprite that is so much more comfortable and predictable. Initially I reduced the pressures at Collingrove hillclimb in an effort to gain more traction in the damp and found the side benifit of a much more enjoyable road trip home !
Sometimes it’s the really simple things. What is great about this one thing is that it takes virtually no effort at all to try. I’ve yet to have anyone say it didn’t make their Spridget handle better!
I have been running 20psi for about a year now and yes the ride is much more comfortable especially for my back after a few hrs run, the car doesn’t seem jump around as much in a bumpy corner, I have also been running 1/8 toe out and cannot comment yet if there is a benefit