Newby with first Q: Tyre pressures

[Mike A]

Greetings all, cycling newby here

I work from home in a desk based job - so there is little 'built in' exercise in my daily routine. Having hardly been on a bike in 30 years I'd thought about getting one as a means of exercise for some time. Recently a second hand trek 7.2 FX came up for sale in my village, seemingly of an appropriate size, so I went for it. On the way home with it I wondered if I'd really bitten off more than I could ride... Would I still be able to balance on a bike?

Well, a fortnight later I'm still riding and I haven't fallen off, collided with anything or caused any road accidents (at least I don't think I've caused any road accidents . I've also learned how slight inclines and gentle breezes morph into huge hills and howling headwinds when on a bike...

So, here's my first tech question: tyre pressures -

My bike has 700 x 35 select invert tyres. Side wall says 60-80 psi. I'm riding on the road and farm roads. While most of these are good, perhaps 5% of my current route has a significant amount of loose chippings/gravel.

Should I be inflating to max pressure on both tyres to reduce rolling resistance, or should the rear be harder than the front? Should I be wary of chippings with regards to potential punctures?

Thanks,

Mike A.

 

[Steve Austin]

I would ride that route with rock hard tyres tbh.


but you could get at least 34 different answers to this question on here

 

[palinurus]

Chippings don't generally give you punctures, they can be slippy on the bends though.

60-80 psi: towards the top of that range is about what I use for fat tyres on the road. If you're finding it uncomfortable then try and reduce it a bit. There's a bit of experimentation required.

 

[Mike A]

Thanks guys,
I'll try them near the top of the PSI range and see how I get on.

 

[Andy in Sig]

I'd go with top pressure too. Incidentally, if you do start to really get into cycling you will go down the long road of better bikes and better bits of kit. Do yourself a favour and always get the best you can as it will save money in the long run. So in that spirit, on the subject of tyre pressures, get yourself a high quality track pump (a bike pump that stands vertically and has an easily readable pressure guage on it) and it will last you for a life time.

 

[Globalti]

Agree on the track pump. Topeak Joe Blow. No contest.

 

[Mike A]

Thanks for the advice , as it happens I had to get a floor standing pump on day one - the LBS sold me a Bontrager Charger. I should have come here first

When I first got the bike I tried to inflate the tyres with a standard hand held cylindrical pump. 15 minutes later I was completely kn***ered and had reached the dizzy heights of about 30 psi in each tyre.

I couldn't believe how much easier it was with the new pump - although I find the pump connector is very stiff to pull off the valve. Maybe that will ease with use.

 

[Paulus]

I would agree with most of the above posters. Keep your tyres pumped up to the max. Particulary in the wet, soft tyres tend to pick up more flints and debris so tend to puncture more often.

 

[betty swollocks]

Just to confuse things slightly - and randochap will back me up here (I think):- reducing your tyre pressure on bumpy surfaces will actually reduce the rolling resistance.
Do not let them get too soft thogh, as you'll increase the risk of getting pinch punctures.

 

[betty swollocks]

oh and welcome to the forum!

 

[Mike A]

Thanks all. I was out this morning for a short run with harder tyres (around 75 psi) and the ride seemed easier.

 

[Banjo]

I use a 12 volt air pump from Halfords (designed for car tyres) that plugs into the ciggarette socket on the car.It only fits Schrader valves but you can get a small brass adapter from any decent bike shop to fit on Presta valves.

On the road I pump tyres to close to max psi with a little less in the front tyre.On canal paths etc about 10 psi less makes it a bit more comfortable.