Tire pressure

Gabbo
Gabbo Posts: 864
edited November 2012 in Road general
Set off on a relatively short ride today (about 30 miles) and found it somewhat harder than usual. Was going at a similar speed to usual but my quads were burning and I was breathing a little. I've had a few days off so unsure whether that may have an effect but I've noticed my muscle tone looks to have faded - not sure why either!

Anyway, stopped off at my lbs on way home to find my tire pressure under 40psi. I then proceeded to pump them up to about 115psi and noticed how sensitive everything was. If anything it made the ride incredibly uncomfortable but I suppose this is the recommended pressure for road tires.

What affect could 40psi have on the performance?

Comments

  • peat
    peat Posts: 1,242
    More resistance, but more grip. If you train with tyres at 40, you'll be quick come race day when you pump the tyres up, you just might fall off more.
  • TakeTurns
    TakeTurns Posts: 1,075
    As you've experienced, you'll go slower at 40psi. However, if you're a light person, you could ride with 100psi without comprimising the speed if you find 115 too uncomfortable. At 40psi, the tyre will wear out a lot quicker and risk folding off the rim while cornering
  • tiredofwhiners
    tiredofwhiners Posts: 598
    ......... its tyre.

    Tire means to become exhausted ...... just sayin'
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    If you normally pump your tyres up to 115psi and don't notice the problems then I would suspect that your own pump gauge isn't working correctly. When you borrowed the pump from your lbs then the tyres were actually at 115psi instead of what they are normally at, just a thought!

    I am not light but I never pump tyres to more than 100psi as I find this is the best compromise between speed and comfort but what suits me may not suit everyone else, just experiment with different pressures until you find the one that suits you.

    Beware going too low though as the pinch flats will happen on typical pot holed roads.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    My tyres are typically 60-80 psi, but they are 25's and I'm no Bunter. Above 90 psi and I can feel my fillings loosening over the rough stuff.

    It makes me wince when people say they routinely run pressures of 110 psi.
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    keef66 wrote:
    It makes me wince when people say they routinely run pressures of 110 psi.
    I've been pumping mine up to 115 according to the gauge. Is that too high? The max indicated on the side is 120.

    It's a hardish ride, but I quite like the positive feel.
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • zx6man
    zx6man Posts: 1,092
    I would squash my tyres to the rim with 60-80 and then probably damage the rim in the process :-)
  • thefd
    thefd Posts: 1,021
    tiredofwhiners wrote:
    ......... its tyre.

    Tire means to become exhausted ...... just sayin'
    So you don't have a 'tyre made from whiners?' :lol:

    To the OP - pinch flats will be more prevalent if the psi is 40.
    2017 - Caadx
    2016 - Cervelo R3
    2013 - R872
    2010 - Spesh Tarmac
  • Ron Stuart
    Ron Stuart Posts: 1,242
    Peat wrote:
    More resistance, but more grip. If you train with tyres at 40, you'll be quick come race day when you pump the tyres up, you just might fall off more.

    If you descend with hairpin corners at speed on tyres at 40psi that have a recommended pressure between 80 and 120psi for example you are very likely to roll them off the rim and anyway they would handle like a bowl of custard. :twisted:
  • p7rider
    p7rider Posts: 370
    Ron Stuart wrote:
    Peat wrote:
    More resistance, but more grip. If you train with tyres at 40, you'll be quick come race day when you pump the tyres up, you just might fall off more.

    If you descend with hairpin corners at speed on tyres at 40psi that have a recommended pressure between 80 and 120psi for example you are very likely to roll them off the rim and anyway they would handle like a bowl of custard. :twisted:
    Been there done that got the gravel rash :oops:

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