Thoughts on Tire Pressure

[HoughMade]

I've seen a lot of opinions about tire pressure in various threads- please post your peferences here and back your choice up with an anecdote or research if you have it. To aid us, please post the size and type of tire.

I run 26x2.125 cruiser tires on steel 2.125 rims- so far I have been running at the sidewall suggested 40 psi, but I have not taken any long trips yet.

Please share your thoughts and experiences.

[sjackson]

My experience thus far only lies with un-motorized bicycles. On my road bikes, I usually inflate the tires to 110psi. Skinny little 700x28 conty contacts. It says 85psi on the sidewall, but that just feels mushy to me, and I've never had a blow out at 110. I feel like I'd be more likely to get a pinch flat at 85 anyway.

What does the conventional wisdom say in regards to motorized bikes?

[HoughMade]

I don't know- that's what I am looking for.

[JemmaUK]

With mine I just pump the tyres until they feel firm and the bike doesnt squirrel - from what i can tell its around 30psi - I dont have a pressure tester.

I have noticed that there is a wear area beginning to develop along the centre line of the tyre which means I could stand to drop them off a little - but then there is the fact that at the speeds the machines go it might cause problems with cornering if you go too low on pressures (rim/bead coming free and other fun experiences).

I have been looking into helmets today amongst other things.. They are expensive - the choice is either a upper price cycle type or a lower price full face but the problem with the latter is that I have neck and shoulder problems already *sigh*

If anyone finds a cheap supply of white tyres.. I am interested in getting a set

Jemma xx

[misteright1_99]

I have a mountain bike with 26" X 1.75 knobby tires. I run 35psi, the tire rating is 40-65psi. It does not have suspension other than suspension seat post, so I run "low" for a smoother ride. I live in Florida and have read that friction and road heat could cause a blowout on a motored bike, prob another good reason to run low tire pressure..

I hope this is what your looking for...

[srdavo]

My experience thus far only lies with un-motorized bicycles. On my road bikes, I usually inflate the tires to 110psi. Skinny little 700x28 conty contacts. It says 85psi on the sidewall, but that just feels mushy to me, and I've never had a blow out at 110. I feel like I'd be more likely to get a pinch flat at 85 anyway.

I agree.....too low = pinch flats.
motored or not..... I run within the range the tire is rated for.
I even ran 80psi (100 max) kenda kwest 26X1.5 on my friction drive.

[Marktur]

Well, I'm sure some of you have seen my "Another Flat" thread... I now have a solid core tube in the front and Bell Extra-thick, super-duper, self sealing jobbie in the back (couldn't get the rear solid on correctly and gave up after 6 hours of fighting with it)....but I used 3 layers of electrical tape over the spokes...then the tube...then Mr Tuffy protectors.

I'm running Bell Kevlar Comfort Tires, 26x1.75 at 28psi, but I felt a little squirrely so I'm going to add another 5-7 lbs when I get home. I think I've been getting blowouts from too much pressure, the speeds (20-25mph), and the heat being generated. I had it at around 50psi to start (tire sidewalls on the previous cruiser balloon tires said 45-65psi), and have had horrible luck.

Today at the lower PSI, not only did I not get a flat, but the ride was smoother because the tire was softer. With these lower profile tires I have now, the solid front wheel felt great.

OK, ready to try and make it home (6 miles)....I hope I don't have another flat.

Jemma - I just posted about my new helmet...I think they're a great idea, and I don't care if I look goofy or not...I want to live to be a "dirty old man"!

Cya,
Mark

[loquin]

I'm also running a Bell kevlar comfort tire on the front, and an Innova Swiftor smooth tire on the rear, which works GREAT with a friction drive. (I just wish that Bell would come out with a smooth kevlar tire - they have a smooth cruiser non-kevlar version.) I run both at around 50 psi, but then, I'm an ex-defensive tackle & tip the scales currently at about 350 pounds.

When the temps get over a hundred, I back off the pressure to about 45 psi.

Followup re the Innova Swiftor tire:

I really like the tire - it grips very well, and is really a smooth ride. However, it's made from a very soft rubber compound. Because if this, if you skid the tire, the road WILL grind the tire flat in spots. I had an emergency stop last week (with a broken front brake cable,) and the road ground right through to the fabric!.

FYI: If that happens, a plastic water bottle, cut into a couple of "U" shaped sections three inches long or so, will make an emergency tire 'liner' to support the patched tube, to keep it from blowing out again at the same spot.

[sjackson]

I really think that recommended sidewall rating are there for ride comfort mainly. I always feel like it's safe to inflate a bit more. This is a discussion that serious road bikers have all the time and there are valid arguments on both sides. I know some messengers who ride at 150psi on slicks because it gives them less deformation on their tires and more speed. It wears down your center tread quickly, and is rough on your rims when you hit potholes, but pinch flats at lower pressures are a bigger risk than blow outs at slightly higher ones IMO. Also remember, the less your tires are deforming, the less they heat up. The hotter they are, the more likely they are to fail... especially at high speeds. Throw some more heat on the rim from your caliper brakes and it's almost a guarantee.

[Marktur]

Loquin,
How FAST do you normally ride? How agressive do you enter and exit turns?
And do you ride during the summer? I see you're in Az....hot and dry.
Also, what innertubes do you use?

I'm only 215lbs, so I shouldn't be having these flats...

Thanks,
Mark