I quit trying to inflate my tire as hard as possible after my last crash on my DF. See below from
Road Bike Rider
Herman
roadbikerider.comua4.htmOpen ↗
The Case for Lower Tire Pressure
DEAR UNCLE AL: Perhaps you can settle an argument at our bike club. I like riding 20-mm-wide tires
inflated to 120-130 pounds. I feel faster because of what I think is lower rolling resistance.
Others argue for a 23C width at 100-110 psi, saying these tires are more efficient because they
absorb pavement irregularities better. I weigh 175 pounds and ride at an average of 18+ mph on a
variety of road surfaces. So who's right about width and pressure? -- Greg C.
UNCLE AL FIRES BACK: Soften up, Greg!
Most everyone I know runs too much pressure. Welcome to the club. Over many years of testing and
talking to guys who live on their bikes, I'm convinced there is little reason to run more than
95-100 psi -- and there are compelling reasons to run 85-90 psi.
High pressure, say 100-120 psi, guarantees short tire life, poor cornering and lots of punctures. A
rock-solid tire cuts/punctures more easily than it would at a lower pressure. Also, a softer tire
can "smear" -- conform better to objects encountered on the road. Why make the ride even rougher on
America's ever-crumbling road surfaces?
Admittedly, I weigh 210 pounds and ride on really poor road surfaces. These things influence my
opinions. I run 85-90 psi front and 90-95 psi rear on 700x23C clincher tires. I do not have flats!
Plus, bumps are less of an issue, and my bike corners as if on rails on high-speed descents. I get
1,000-1,500 miles out of a rear tire. When I ran much higher pressure many years ago, I got no more
than 500 miles.
So, my advice is never to run smaller than 23C. Use good tubes, air them up before every ride and
spend extra for premium tires -- they'll pay you back in extra mileage and better handling.
One more thing: Don't buy a race-specific tire to train on. If it's advertised to last only 500
miles, they aren't lying. Shaving grams off of training tires is silly and wasteful, and you won't
get the low-weight advantage when event time comes if you ride the light stuff all the time. Make
gram shaving your secret weapon, if only in your mind, when it counts.
Do as I recommend and I promise fewer flats, happier miles and no noticeable increase in rolling
resistance (the great myth). Plus, you'll waste fewer resources, both financial and natural.
FROM ARNIE L.: As a roadie of 20+ years, but a new reader of RoadBikeRider, I was intrigued (and
skeptical) of your advice to lower tire pressure. I have been riding at 125 psi or more, concerned
about rolling resistance (although the extra 10 pounds around my waist probably matters a whole lot
more to my performance).
Well, I thought I'd try it. I lowered my pressure to 105 psi. What a great difference! I haven't
really noticed any change in performance, but what a difference in the ride! One of my usual rides
over badly cracked roads (usual Pennsylvania stuff) was sooo much more comfortable. It seemed like
the road had been repaved. Thanks for the advice.
FROM MICHAEL A.: Recently, a friend told me about your promotion of lower tire pressure. GREAT!
In the early 1960s, I rode the kermesses around Antwerp for a team sponsored by "Cycles OK." We
always rode tubulars at about 90 psi with great results -- fewer flats and better handling,
especially in the rain (a frequent occurrence in Flanders).
I've tried to promote lower pressure as a coach with the New York Cycle Club, with little success.
My fellow club members see my gray hair and my inability to keep up with the hormonely besot, and
reject my advice. It's great that you're putting out this sound advice.
EZ Biker :-) said:OK Gang, need some input here. (Perhaps a poll?) I've had my WONDERFUL Aero for about 3 weeks. I
just posted a rather amusing. blowout experience here, I had this morning. (Monday) Since that
event, I've begun to wonder if I really should be running such a HIGH Tire pressure (145 psi) in
my Vredestein Fortezza, 571x23c tires, that are mounted on Velocity SPARTACUS PRO 650c. (The basic
stock setup with my 2003 Aero) I ran the issue past a few of my roadie friends, guys that warm up
at 25+ mph. (One that actually runs a bike shop and is a Class A division cyclist) I've never had
so many react with such wide open eyes and raised eyebrows, when I stated the psi I was running in
my tires. "Everyone of them" suggested 115 to 120 psi and NOTHING OVER THAT. (For basic road
cycling) So to my fellow Bacchetta cyclists or anyone running the same tire / wheel setup I am;
how about your thoughts on this? What is a safe or acceptable psi pressure to inflate these tires
to? EZ (Don't want EXPLODING TIRES) Biker :-)
PS: For anyone that might be a member of groups.yahoo.comBacchetta BikesOpen ↗ I've
posted it there too, in case you might be find the input useful.
