Tyre pressures for cobblestones

Jim Will Fixie It
Jim Will Fixie It Posts: 72
edited September 2011 in Road beginners
Just a quick question. I'm doing the Frome Cobble Wobble this Sunday as was just wandering what tyre pressures to run.

Should I just run them at their lowest limit? They're Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp clinchers if that makes any difference.

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Too high and you'll bounce - try 5 bar
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    +1 Too high will be very uncomfortable (too low and you may pinch flat though so there is a trade off).

    I'm 70kg and would probably put about 70-80 psi (5-5.5 bar) in.
  • Phil_D
    Phil_D Posts: 467
    Is it worth measuring the pressure while you're sat on the bike in this kind of scenario? Would your weight make a difference to the pressure?
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Phil_D wrote:
    IWould your weight make a difference to the pressure?

    Yes.


    Tough to know what suits who though. Trial and error (even for Pros).
    _
  • plowmar
    plowmar Posts: 1,032
    Don't the pros tend to have wider tyres and lower pressure?, is that possible for you?
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I think the Tricomp are rated up to 140 PSI ? Dont try that though - especially not on the cobbles....

    I normally ride 23mm Contis at 95 PSI for the road - I'd take a bit out for the cobbles though - maybe 90 ?
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Rider weight is a big factor - I'm happy at 65kg to run 75 psi but wouldn't recommend it if you're 100kg. You want enough pressure to prevent pinch-flats but low-enough to get good cushioning / grip - fatter tyres are better in this respect and tubs better than clinchers. I spoken to a few riders / mechanics who worked professionally in Belgium and it's a common mistake of British riders to run too narrow tyres / high tyre pressure and suffer poor grip / more punctures.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Jim Will Fixie It
    Jim Will Fixie It Posts: 72
    I'm about 68kg with an 8.8kg bike. I've only got the Vredestein's (23mm) and I can't afford to buy some wider tyres (a la the pros on the Roubaix etc) just for a 179yd dash.

    I'll have a try with them at around 80psi on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury tomorrow and report back.
  • mouth
    mouth Posts: 1,195
    90psi
    The only disability in life is a poor attitude.
  • Jim Will Fixie It
    Jim Will Fixie It Posts: 72
    Well, I tried 75psi on Gold Hill today (the cobbles are bit bumpier than in Frome) but it still felt very bouncy.

    I think I'm going to try 70, or maybe even 65, psi for Sunday - hopefully I don't get a p******e in the 179yds the hill lasts for. I also hope that it isn't possible to roll the tyre off the rim at 65psi.

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