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I have an eight wide car tire on my bike and ride in the rain all the time. Not by choice, but seem when I leave for work in the morning all is clear, but 5:30 in the afternoon, the weather has changed.(it's Texas) I never adjust air pressure for rain.
I've been riding bikes since I was in my teens and have never let air out of my tires when riding in the rain. It sounds like one of those old "wives tales" to me. Besides, if you slow down a bit and ride at a sane speed for the conditions, it's absolutely unnecessary even if there were some tiny benefit in traction.
For those that "don't do rain", you don't know what your missing. Meaning it's obvious that you don't travel very far. I have been on several multi state trips and sometimes rain is unavoidable. When you plan a trip months out you cannot predict the weather. Once plans are made, vacation is approved and your on the way, "rain happens". You have to ride the plan or sit in a hotel or campground and wait it out, blowing the plan.
With that said, I have rode many a day in the rain on those trips and have NEVER adjusted the tire pressure. I have rode the Dragon in the rain with the factory recommended air pressure. There is a reason for the recommended pressure, it has been tested. I don't claim to be smarter than the engineers that designed the tires so I'll stick with the book.
Do these same riders let air out of car tires when it rains...??? Never heard of such a thing, but it's probably in the lines of making a face too long will cause it to become permanent.
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