Tire Pressure?

Steve Juniper said:

Is there a consensus on proper tire inflation? My Cont Ultra Gatorskins

say

Quoted message said:

90-120 pounds. I figure that as I'm a bit heavy (185) I should inflate
toward the higher end and use 115 as a standard for road bike riding on
decent pavement (some mildly rough areas and potholes to avoid).

Depends on tire width, your weight, road conditions, and preferences as to
comfort. Even for 700 x 23 tires, 115 psi might be a tad high for a 185
pounder.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#pressure

http://www.precisiontandems.com/photos_files/tirechart.jpg

Art Harris

Steve Juniper said:

Is there a consensus on proper tire inflation? My Cont Ultra Gatorskins say
90-120 pounds. I figure that as I'm a bit heavy (185) I should inflate
toward the higher end and use 115 as a standard for road bike riding on
decent pavement (some mildly rough areas and potholes to avoid).

Not a consensus, but I base my tire pressure on the possibility of
pinch flats. I start at the high end with a new tire and reduce the
pressure in 5 psi increments until I can feel the tire hitting or
coming close to hitting the rim on a pothole, etc.... hard to describe
the feeling and I'm not certain what exactly I *am* feeling, but there
is a point where the tire feels too soft to avoid 'bottoming out' on
potholes, etc. This will vary on the use of the bike, also- a slower
commute ride and I can avoid potholes and would hit them at lower
speed, so less pressure works. A faster ride and I'll add a touch more
pressure so I don't have to worry as much about such things.

"Arthur Harris" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:vP8Tc.24246$js3.9562383
@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net:

Quoted message said:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#pressure

http://www.precisiontandems.com/photos_files/tirechart.jpg

All see "The Case for Lower Tire Pressure":
http://www.roadbikerider.com/UArant.htm

Steve, I'm no expert so I'll just tell you what I do. When
I rode a road bike I used to run them at around 95-100 psi.
I weighed about 210 then. Now I run 700-38C's, weigh 220
(I'm 6'5"😉 and feel comfortable with them around 55-60#. I
never pump up any type of tire beyond the rated MAX
inflation pressure listed on the sidewalls, regardless of
any other factors. As always, YMMV. oh, BTW, at 60# the
tires ride noticeable harsher than when they are under
inflated to about 45-50. After a couple of rides they
mellow out automatically, due to slight air pressure loss! 🙂

David

Steve Juniper said:

Is there a consensus on proper tire inflation? My Cont Ultra Gatorskins say
90-120 pounds. I figure that as I'm a bit heavy (185) I should inflate
toward the higher end and use 115 as a standard for road bike riding on
decent pavement (some mildly rough areas and potholes to avoid).