MTB tyre pressures

[ScotiaLass]

As some will know, I ride a Saracen MTB.
I have these Continental Double Fighter 2's on it...

The max psi on them is 65 and mine are set at 60 as I use mostly cycle paths and my bike is a brute (heavy)!
They are excellent on the cycle paths but I've been venturing off the paths recently and they don't grip very well! I slide through mud and if I hit rough ground I can feel the tyres bouncing about on stones and gravel.
Do you think if I lower the pressure they will fare better? Or is it a case that I really need to swop to MTB tyres?
I like the option of having a tyre that will cope with both but I suppose it may be one tool for one job!

 

[MikeW-71]

Those won't be any good in mud, but would be fine on firmer off-road surfaces. However, when off-road you would ideally drop the pressures down to something like 35psi, otherwise they will bounce around as you have experienced.

If you are going into some properly rough tracks, something more knobbly is called for.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Those won't be any good in mud, but would be fine on firmer off-road surfaces. However, when off-road you would ideally drop the pressures down to something like 35psi, otherwise they will bounce around as you have experienced.

If you are going into some properly rough tracks, something more knobbly is called for.

Thanks...I do have proper knobbly ones but am reluctant to switch back to them for the little time I'd spend on rougher ground

 

[e-rider]

these are not mud tyres. They are only for dry conditions on fairly smooth surfaces.

60psi is far too much for muddy conditions, so reducing the pressure might help a little, but the tyres will always be rubbish in muddy conditions!

If you are of average weight try 40psi