Biking gurus, I bought the bd bike & upgraded the tires, how much should I inflate?

[preslove]

So, I ended up going with a bikes direct bike after posting this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2264193&highlight=bike+gurus

~$380 for the bike after taxes
$50 for lbs assembly (this covered truing the wheels, which they said was needed)

I spent the savings on upgrading the tires ($50 for the pair), a nice $50 bike pump that screws on the valve stem, a nice bike rack ($23) and its compatible sliding & locking bag ($48). So far, Ive spent under the comparable Specialized bike that's locally sold $610 (plus tax), and I have some really nice upgrades & accessories. It's slightly big on me, but hasn't really been uncomfortable. I plan on adding some bar ends, a rear view mirror, and upgrading my lights. That should just put me over the total price of the local bike.

My question

The max pressure for the tires is 130 psi. How much should I inflate the them for normal road conditions. I weigh in the mid 160's.

 

[SSSnail]

Obligatory sidewall reply.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Until they 'feel' right. If you don't ride enough to know when they feel right, you spent way to much on the bike.

 

[Demo24]

I'd probably do about 110-120 personally, mine go up to 155 but I put in 140ish. You'll notice the difference if you drop below 100. Just remember to check it every couple of days, you'd be surprised how much you can lose.

 

[preslove]

Until they 'feel' right. If you don't ride enough to know when they feel right, you spent way to much on the bike.

I've been riding an old mtb for the past 8 years & a mountain bike before. This is my bike with road tires since HS, those were pretty wide.

 

[darkxshade]

Does this matter at all? Asking genuinely. I inflate them every time I head out for a ride and they always seem to lose a bit of pressure initially until it hits some sort of equilibrium. I can tell because the pressure gauge would read somewhere in the 90's no matter how long I rode the day before.

 

[preslove]

I'd probably do about 110-120 personally, mine go up to 155 but I put in 140ish. You'll notice the difference if you drop below 100. Just remember to check it every couple of days, you'd be surprised how much you can lose.

Thanks, I'll try this.

 

[drteming]

What are the width on those tires? I can't make out the size in your photo. For 23mm's you should run about 110 in the rear and 95-100 in the front. For 25mm's, drop it by 5-10 psi's. Don't let them get too low or you will get pinch flats.

Also, the wheel reflectors may unbalance the wheel and make handling squirrely at higher speeds.

 

[JulesMaximus]

100-110 psi should be more than enough for your weight. Make sure you have a pump with an accurate gauge and check tire pressures every couple days or before each ride. I usually give each tire a squeeze to see if it feels like it has lost any air and/or then check with a gauge if it has been a couple days since I checked it last.

And yes, it matters. Pinch flats are caused by underinflated tires. When I was riding regularly I almost never had flats.

 

[drteming]

Also, from an aesthetics standpoint, the front quick-release lever should be pointed up, parallel with the fork and the rear lever should point forwards and up, bisecting the angle formed by the seat stay and the chain stay. But that's just a bike weenie talking.

 

[preslove]

What are the width on those tires? I can't make out the size in your photo. For 23mm's you should run about 110 in the rear and 95-100 in the front. For 25mm's, drop it by 5-10 psi's. Don't let them get too low or you will get pinch flats.

Also, the wheel reflectors may unbalance the wheel and make handling squirrely at higher speeds.

They're 28mm

100-110 psi should be more than enough for your weight. Make sure you have a pump with an accurate gauge and check tire pressures every couple days or before each ride. I usually give each tire a squeeze to see if it feels like it has lost any air and/or then check with a gauge if it has been a couple days since I checked it last.

And yes, it matters. Pinch flats are caused by underinflated tires. When I was riding regularly I almost never had flats.

Yeah, I'd read that road tires lose pressure like crazy, so I went overboard on the pump. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o04_s00_i00. It freaking screws onto the valve

Also, from an aesthetics standpoint, the front quick-release lever should be pointed up, parallel with the fork and the rear lever should point forwards and up, bisecting the angle formed by the seat stay and the chain stay. But that's just a bike weenie talking.

I'll give it a try next time I have time, lol.

 

[keird]

Obligatory sidewall reply.

I didn't have to scroll far. Thank you.

 

[FleshLight]

I'd do ~100

 

[Capt Caveman]

28mm between 90-100

 

[AeroEngy]

More than 100 for your weight & relatively wide 28mm tire is probably overkill. I probably wouldn't go over 90. Based on this old chart I had bookmarked and guessing your bike weight I came out with 85 psi (60/40 weight distro). Lots of people over inflate their tires for no real good reason except they think it makes them faster (debatable). All you will end up doing is sacrifice comfort it your pump them up to high.

Random blog post about fatter low pressure tires.

 

[JulesMaximus]

28mm between 90-100

Agreed.

 

[wdb1966]

Another sidewall recommendation here, stay within 10 PSI under for your weight and you'll be fine.

FYI, avoid going over the rated PSI unless you have very high quality tires & rims that you know will be fine running over inflated.

I run my Continentals and Specialized tires at 160, but I'm a big guy so I have to.

 

[GoSharks]

http://www.michelinbicycletire.com/michelinbicycle/index.cfm?event=airpressure.view

So about 87.

 

[preslove]

Heh, so far the range is 87-120. I'll have to experiment :hmm:

 

[AeroEngy]

Another sidewall recommendation here, stay within 10 PSI under for your weight and you'll be fine.

FYI, avoid going over the rated PSI unless you have very high quality tires & rims that you know will be fine running over inflated.

I run my Continentals and Specialized tires at 160, but I'm a big guy so I have to.

160 psi is crazy high. I would say your tires are either to narrow or overinflated. For 160 to make sense you would have to weigh like 280 and be running 23mm tires. If that is the case you would most likely be better off with 25 or 28 tires and running a lower pressure. You will get the same rolling resistance, better handling, and a more forgiving ride.

Another article: http://www.bccclub.org/documents/Tireinflation.pdf