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Adaptrac Lets Bike Riders Adjust Tire Pressure on Fly

Mountain biking often presents two choices: ride with lower tire pressure to get traction, or raise it to provide speed. Since terrain changes, most people compromise with pressure just high enough for street riding and just low enough to get some grip on uneven surfaces.
/ Source: TechNewsDaily

Mountain biking often presents two choices: ride with lower tire pressure to get traction, or raise it to provide speed. Since terrain changes, most people compromise with pressure just high enough for street riding and just low enough to get some grip on uneven surfaces.

The $1,900 Adaptrac lets you adjust the pressure on the fly using a toggle mounted on the handlebars, so you don't have to break out the pump when you hit the streets or dismount to let off some air when reaching the rough terrain. The tire pressures of the front and rear wheel can be adjusted independently.

The gas for increasing pressure comes from a tank of carbon dioxide (just like the ones in paintball guns) that's available in several sizes, from 4 to 20 ounces. A 12-ounce tank provides 10 pressure cycles between 20 and 50 pounds per square inch. Gauges tell you precisely what the pressure is.

The Adaptrac works with the common 12 x 142 mm rear axles and 15 mm front axles, but the kit includes adapters for older bikes. One downside: it won't work with tubeless tires, as CO2 tends to react with and break down many sealants.

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