OK, I confess I've always just inflated to the maximum recommended PSI on the tire wall. Conversation at coffee yesterday made me realize this was probably not the best strategy. I found the following article online which is interesting and provides recommendations based on weight, tire width, and load distribution on the bike.
http://www.adventurecycling.org/default ... _Heine.pdf
Thoughts? Dissent? Martin
Optimal tire pressure
Moderator: mfarnham
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Lister Farrar
- Posts: 3093
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:19 pm
Re: Optimal tire pressure
100 front 110 rear max. 10 less on rainy days.
When i read pro tour riders are asking for 90, 100, i figured I could enjoy the comfy ride too.
When i read pro tour riders are asking for 90, 100, i figured I could enjoy the comfy ride too.
Lister
"We're jammin', jammin',
And I hope you like jammin', too."
(Bob Marley)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QdwYY9rZL4
"We're jammin', jammin',
And I hope you like jammin', too."
(Bob Marley)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QdwYY9rZL4
Re: Optimal tire pressure
I also go with what is on the side wall but will now try Lister's suggestion.
While we are talking tires does anyone have a preferred brand? I have had some real bad luck over the last couple of weeks with flats.
Mark
While we are talking tires does anyone have a preferred brand? I have had some real bad luck over the last couple of weeks with flats.
Mark
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Stéphane Tran
- Posts: 620
- Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 9:24 pm
Re: Optimal tire pressure
An overinflated tire will skip and bounce over deformities in the road surface, which makes for an uncomfortable ride and can actually make you roll slower. Higher pressure does not necessarily equal more speed. An underinflated tire will deform too much around deformities in the road and increase rolling resistance.
For road riding (cyclocross is another story), what you want is for the tire to deform slightly around road deformities and absorb the energy of any impacts, but still have enough pressure to roll smoothly over pavement.
I agree with Lister: for most riders riding clincher tires (95% of us), the sweet spot is between 90 and 110 psi. I suggest trying different pressures in this range and going with what feels right rather than relying on any data-driven formula.
For road riding (cyclocross is another story), what you want is for the tire to deform slightly around road deformities and absorb the energy of any impacts, but still have enough pressure to roll smoothly over pavement.
I agree with Lister: for most riders riding clincher tires (95% of us), the sweet spot is between 90 and 110 psi. I suggest trying different pressures in this range and going with what feels right rather than relying on any data-driven formula.