Tire pressure advice

[General Madness]

Afternoon all,

I have been running my road tires at 120psi since buying my bike. Just the past few days I have been made aware that this may or may not be suitable, All to do with my weight?

Anyway, Can the wonderful world of PH help out.

I weigh 88kg and the bike fully laden is 12kg, I am running on 700x23c tires.

Should I be sticking with the 23c tires or moving to 25c? What sort of pressures should I be running at?

Thanks,

David.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Depends on tyre choice and season as well

Try dropping them down to see how they feel, that's what I do

[LarryLamb]

I'm interested to know too - I weigh 159lbs and my bike is 26lbs running 700c 25 tyres.

I can't seem to get more than 90psi in them despite the pump going to 120, it just won't pump more than that!

[Mr Will]

103psi front, 127psi rear for your current setup.

That 127 is likely beyond the limit of your tyre and/or pump so I'd be looking to move to a wider tyre. Even 25c gives a much more reasonable 87/108 and 28c (if they'll fit) drops that further to 74/91.

( from: http://www.dorkypantsr.us/bike-tire-pressure-calcu... )

As long as you aren't getting pinch punctures though its all a matter of personal preference. Just be aware that pumping up your tyres harder will make your bike feel faster, without necessarily making any actual difference or in extreme cases actually making it slower.

[General Madness]

I did have a look at that online calculator. It originally suggested @220lb total weight that I should be running 91/140!!! on 23c.

Is it ok to run 23c front and 25c rear?

[TheInternet]

Working in reverse and using the above website with Continental's suggested pressure of 95psi, far from their maximum, we find the recommended rider weight for their 28mm tyres is 20st.

[Mr Will]

General Madness said:

I did have a look at that online calculator. It originally suggested @220lb total weight that I should be running 91/140!!! on 23c.

Is it ok to run 23c front and 25c rear?

45/55 split is more indicative of a road bike. 40/60 is more for tourers or upright bikes.

I'd run 25 on both. A lower pressure on the front is more comfortable and it won't slow you down at all.

[General Madness]

Mr Will said:

45/55 split is more indicative of a road bike. 40/60 is more for tourers or upright bikes.

I'd run 25 on both. A lower pressure on the front is more comfortable and it won't slow you down at all.

That makes sense, thank you for your help mate. Replacements will be bought tomorrow then.

Cheers again.

[scubadude]

General Madness said:

I have been running my road tires at 120psi since buying my bike. Just the past few days I have been made aware that this may or may not be suitable, All to do with my weight?

I weigh 88kg and the bike fully laden is 12kg, I am running on 700x23c tires.

I'm 100kg + bike on 25c running 110 back 90 front, your pressures should high to me, I'd be tempted to drop to 80/90 and work from there.

[General Madness]

I grabbed a pair of the bog standard btwin 25c from decathlon @£7.99 each

Fitted them and done 30 miles, felt much better running 90/110.

Cheers for the advice folks.