Tyre Pressures

[Downward]

So usually have a quick squeeze of my tyres before setting off. Not thought this morning. After 5 miles I hit a bump and noticed my rear tyre felt soft. Not used the road bike for a week so is it normal for a tyre to lose pressure ?

I don't think it's a * as it's still the same pressure as it was 45 mins ago.

 

[ASC1951]

Tyres do lose pressure slowly. It does depend on how good the inners are and what mileage you do, but I find for instance that if I get mine up to pressure at the beginning of a fortnight's cycling in the summer that will usually last me the whole holiday. At home, where I am only cycling about ten hours a week, I would expect them to stay up to pressure for a month.

Methinks you have a puncture (which can be very slow) or more likely a leaking valve.

 

[gaz]

I have to pump mine up 2 - 3 times a week.

 

[Ian H]

Smaller tyres, higher pressures, better quality (thinner) tubes, all mean quicker loss of pressure. For instance, 25mm tyres on one of my bikes will go from 100 down to around 80-90 psi in a week. 2" mtb tyres at 60psi retain their pressure for weeks.

 

[stevie_b]

I cycle 20 miles a week, and from pumping them up to 50psi on Sunday evening, by next Sunday they'll be around 40psi.

 

[Downward]

So you all think I'll be able to get home ( I have no pump)

 

[johnr]

I'd have another squeeze at dinner time. If it's losing air, it will have kept doing so... and there's nothing worse than setting yourself up for a ride home on a lovely day like today and then discovering you can't.

 

[Rassendyll]

How can you go out without a pump

On the few occasions I have forgotten either pump or spare tube I spend the whole time thinking "Oh no if I get a p* here it will be X miles to walk." I'd feel more at ease if I'd left the iron on and the front window open.

But to answer your question, yes you'll probably get home assuming it isn't anything more than natural leakage.

And even if you did have a mini-pump and they are road tyres then it isn't likely to get up to an ideal pressure range anyway - not unless you want to spend half an hour pumping away and you have biceps the size of small melons.

 

[Downward]

How can you go out without a pump

On the few occasions I have forgotten either pump or spare tube I spend the whole time thinking "Oh no if I get a p* here it will be X miles to walk." I'd feel more at ease if I'd left the iron on and the front window open.

But to answer your question, yes you'll probably get home assuming it isn't anything more than natural leakage.

And even if you did have a mini-pump and they are road tyres then it isn't likely to get up to an ideal pressure range anyway - not unless you want to spend half an hour pumping away and you have biceps the size of small melons.

Had a hand pump on the other bike but it's crap and doesn't work. If I had any probs I would just phone home for a lift !

Next one !
Reccomendations for a hand pump ?!!
Might buy a cheap Tesco track pump to keep at work.

 

[Tony B]

Also if its cold in the morning the tyre will fell softer then when its had time to warm up, so if you pumped yours tyres up when it was warm they will feel softer when its cold.

 

[Theseus]

I have a "Revolution Air Mini Pump" from EBC and find it better than various others that are now gathering dust in the shed.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Had a hand pump on the other bike but it's crap and doesn't work. If I had any probs I would just phone home for a lift !

Next one !
Reccomendations for a hand pump ?!!
Might buy a cheap Tesco track pump to keep at work.

I did that. I found that most of my visits from the fairy tend to result in slow punctures so I'd leave work to find the bike with a flat tyre. So at least I get to fix it in the car park and get the tyre up to something like a decent pressure using the cheapy pump.

 

[Garz]

Next one !
Reccomendations for a hand pump ?!!
Might buy a cheap Tesco track pump to keep at work.

I got a lezyne in sale from PBK I think, great pump however If you want a pocket size one for portability its worth paying the extra cash. Alternative is co2 and adapter.

 

[jimboalee]

I have a recurring Appointment on my MS Outlook at 11:45 that is titled "CHECK BIKE TYRES!!"

At 11:40, I get a 'meeting reminder'.

 

[Theseus]

I have a recurring Appointment on my MS Outlook at 11:45 that is titled "CHECK BIKE TYRES!!"

At 11:40, I get a 'meeting reminder'.

TOP TIP: Rather than set up recurring meetings for reminders like this, use recurring tasks. That way your calender is not speckled with 5 minute meetings.