Tyre Pressure

stiggypop

So my new bike came today, and I spent most of this evening trying to re-assemble it from its boxed state. Finally got it as near as dammit and decided to take it around the block for a test drive (even though there wasn't too much air in the tyres).

I felt every freaking bump - right up the poop shoot! The bike came with no "destructions" whatsoever so I am having to second guess everything!... I have given up trying to figure out how to attach the cheapo plastic quick release mudguards that came with it!

Anyhoo... my question is.... how much pressure should I be putting in the Kenda 700 x 35 puncture resistant tyres? I'm guessing one of the numbers on the tyres answers my question but I haven't got a scooby-doo what they mean.

TIA,

Steve

prj45

I put 265psi in mine.

Goes like a mother after that.

I have a special cushion for when I get home:

AndyManc

I've got 700x32 and I put about 60psi in mine.

stiggypop

I must be blind... just rechecked the tyre for more info and it says:

37-622 ( 700x35C - 28 1 5/8 x 1 3/8 )

But here is the important part...

MIN 50 MAX 85 PSI

FFS... I think I need some new eyes!!!

alfablue

At the bottom of this page there is a section on tyre pressures and a chart.

The tyre side wall should state maximum inflation pressure, or a min-max range. I tend towards the max because I am heavy and I want to avoid pinch flats.

Kenda Tyres aren't the best though, and may give a harsh ride, as may your bike frame.

morxy

There should be writing on the side of the tyre that states the maximum pressure. Inflate to somewhere between 75-100% of that. Personally I like my tyres at high pressure. On my commute I ride 700x23 Vredestein Fortezza TriComp clinchers at 120psi.

JGS

Somewhere on the tyre it'll say "Min/Max X psi or bar" pump the tyre up to one of these and add or remove pressure as comfort allows.

ansbaradigeidfran

prj45 wrote:

I put 265psi in mine.

Was there a decimal point in there, once upon a time?

(265.0, perhaps?)

stiggypop, while my bike came far more assembled than yours (just gear and brake tweaks to do) I can tell you that doing all this start-up work on your bike will give you much more confidence and knowledge in it's day-to-day maintainance.

If you have any silly questions about getting it all to work properly, Commuting/The Workshop has lots of wise people to ask.

Rich158

prj45 wrote:

I put 265psi in mine.
quote]

You're not the guy on the North Downs Sportive whose tyre exploded on the start line are you? God that went with an almighty bang

stiggypop

ansbaradigeidfran wrote:

prj45 wrote:

I put 265psi in mine.

Was there a decimal point in there, once upon a time?

(265.0, perhaps?)

stiggypop, while my bike came far more assembled than yours (just gear and brake tweaks to do) I can tell you that doing all this start-up work on your bike will give you much more confidence and knowledge in it's day-to-day maintainance.

If you have any silly questions about getting it all to work properly, Commuting/The Workshop has lots of wise people to ask.

Why thank you kind Sir. You can tell how long it has been since I rode a bike. Just took it to the garage to pump the tyres up and the valves are well different than they used to be... looks like I am going to have to buy a special pump?!

ansbaradigeidfran

stiggypop wrote:

ansbaradigeidfran wrote:

If you have any silly questions about getting it all to work properly, Commuting/The Workshop has lots of wise people to ask.

Why thank you kind Sir. You can tell how long it has been since I rode a bike. Just took it to the garage to pump the tyres up and the valves are well different than they used to be... looks like I am going to have to buy a special pump?!

I also just got back into cycling after giving it up as a teenager. With regard to the valves, there's two main types these days, Schraeder (like car tyre valves) and the narrower Presta. Lots of bike pumps these days have reversible nozzles and can be used with either type. Have a look here to see some pictures.

If (as I suspect) you've got some Presta valves, and you'd prefer Schraeder so you can use your existing pump, then you could buy new inner tubes with the right valves, if the hole in the rim is wide enough. You could drill the holes out of they're too small, depending on how brave you feel with your new bike.

Rich158

ansbaradigeidfran wrote:

stiggypop wrote:

ansbaradigeidfran wrote:

If you have any silly questions about getting it all to work properly, Commuting/The Workshop has lots of wise people to ask.

Why thank you kind Sir. You can tell how long it has been since I rode a bike. Just took it to the garage to pump the tyres up and the valves are well different than they used to be... looks like I am going to have to buy a special pump?!

I also just got back into cycling after giving it up as a teenager. With regard to the valves, there's two main types these days, Schraeder (like car tyre valves) and the narrower Presta. Lots of bike pumps these days have reversible nozzles and can be used with either type. Have a look here to see some pictures.

If (as I suspect) you've got some Presta valves, and you'd prefer Schraeder so you can use your existing pump, then you could buy new inner tubes with the right valves, if the hole in the rim is wide enough. You could drill the holes out of they're too small, depending on how brave you feel with your new bike.

be careful drilling the rims out, it's fine on a wide mountain bike rim where there's lots or material. i wouldn't want to try it on a narrow road rim, the last thing you want is for the wheel to collapse the first time you hit a pot hole.

prj45

ansbaradigeidfran wrote:

(265.0, perhaps?)

Did I say 265? I meant 120. I put 120 in.

Key thin is to not put all your weight on the saddle, but ride it a bit, leave a bit of spring in your legs.

Michael_broom22

If you fit or refit your tyres onto your wheels, try and align the pressure markings near the valve hole so that you can read off the pressure required when inflating the innertube. Saves time trying to remember or look for the tyres pressures when you have more than one bikes or wheels.

Stalexcal

Mr Broom,

That is so bloody obvious... :roll: .....er.....hang on......

I think I may do it myself in future.

Thanks for the tip!

Konan

ansbaradigeidfran wrote:

If (as I suspect) you've got some Presta valves, and you'd prefer Schraeder so you can use your existing pump, then you could buy new inner tubes with the right valves, if the hole in the rim is wide enough. You could drill the holes out of they're too small, depending on how brave you feel with your new bike.

Or, you could splash out £2 on a little brass adapter to allow you use a schraeder pump on presta valves.