Maximum Tyre Pressure

supermurph09
supermurph09 Posts: 2,471
edited February 2013 in Road beginners
On my old Specialized Allez I often felt the rear tyre was getting a puncture as the bike seemed to squat at the back, that was until I bought a floor pump and pumped the tyres up to their maximum PSI. The next ride I could not believe the difference, sure the ride was a little harsh but the bike seemed to fly. PB's on a few regular segments proved that.

Anyway, new bike (Cube Agree GTC Race), 2 rides done and it appears I'm quite a few PSI short as there is a little give when I push the tyre down to test the pressure. So given the increased performance I noticed on the Allez I'm thinking of maxing out the PSI. Whilst I'd imagine this will make things a little quicker, what are the disadvantages. Increased p**ct**e chances? Less grip?

Thoughts please.

Thanks
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Comments

  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,803
    Maxing tyre pressure doesn't make you go faster. The tyre has far less contact on the road and skips along. Sounds like you need to find a happy medium. I ride at approx 110psi and I'm currently 66kg.
  • supermurph09
    supermurph09 Posts: 2,471
    Happy medium, without doubt. I'll be interested to check the pressures tonight to see what they are actually running. I'm 6ft and 80kg so not exactly a heavyweight.
    Trainer Road Blog: https://hitthesweetspot.home.blog/

    Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/

    Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/

    TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    I used to ride at 110psi but have reduced that to 100psi because it skipped a lot ...

    I'm inbetween u 2 weight wise.
  • simon_masterson
    simon_masterson Posts: 2,740
    Some of the numbers you will read on tyres are distinctly more sensible than others (eg. I have heard of 700x23 road clinchers with 140psi on them), but in general don't assume to use them for guidance. Find a chart instead. Sheldon Brown's one is an example.

    P.S. I am also 6ft and weigh 63kg currently. I run my - 27 x 1 1/4" (32mm) - tyres at 80-85psi. The pressure you use has more to do with the volume of the tyre, and won't make you faster.
    Retro(ish) TT 2017-
    Fixed TT 2015-2016
  • charlie_potatoes
    charlie_potatoes Posts: 1,921
    I use this chart that was posted on here a while back.
    http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf

    Works for me :)
    "You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    I'd like to use that 15% drop rule but the pressure required is way way over the limit on my tyre - need to work on the spare one round the middle for a while longer before I can fit with that one :shock:
  • velvetytoast
    velvetytoast Posts: 161
    Skipping is a problem and when the road is greasy (like now) it makes it worse. I upped the tyre pressure from 80(front) 100(rear) to 90(front) 110(rear) at the weekend. Rode on sunday OK but on the way home tonight th rear was sliding around quite a bit and I had a slow speed off at a junction (nothing damaged just a bruised ego)
  • Jahmoo
    Jahmoo Posts: 168
    Run both tyres at 80psi, also feel like the rear has a flat at times, so may up the rear a little but not to much, as said, roads are greasy.

    This confirms an issue I had when I changed my 32's for 28's running at the same PSI my speed dropped loads. The Graph showed less PSI in the larger tyre....thought I had gone mad, but now explained :roll:

    :)
  • GuernseyStu
    GuernseyStu Posts: 21
    edited April 2013
    jk,tdydvsdv
  • CRAIGO5000
    CRAIGO5000 Posts: 697
    An interesting point for me is maximum tyre pressure certain rims can take. Older rims are going to be worn and more prone to blowing with higher pressures.

    I'm a lightweight at only 65KG, and my I have some fast Vredestien TriComp tyres. The MINIMUM recommended pressure on the sidewalls of those is 116psi! I think my Mavic SL rims are rated to the same Max pressure of the tyres which is 10Bar/145psi

    I've used them at 120psi on a super smooth tarmac track and handling was great. On the road however, the ride becomes very skittish.
    Ribble Stealth/SRAM Force
    2007 Specialized Allez (Double) FCN - 3
  • Markjaspi
    Markjaspi Posts: 729
    GuernseyStu wrote:
    Had a couple of punctures so upped to 120 front and rear, not flats now and also seems to have made a significant difference to my times. I'm 5 11 and 70kg by the way.

    Ditto
    Cipollini Bond
    Pinarello GAN
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    110 - 120 for me depends on the bike I'm on TBH. Never had an issue with the wheels feeling anything other than good.

    Personally don't like to run then too low as just introducing a greater potential for a pinch puncture & I've had enough of the on my race XC bike to not want to deal with any more on the road bike.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • oldwelshman
    oldwelshman Posts: 4,733
    Markjaspi wrote:
    GuernseyStu wrote:
    Had a couple of punctures so upped to 120 front and rear, not flats now and also seems to have made a significant difference to my times. I'm 5 11 and 70kg by the way.

    Ditto
    Placebo effect :D
    Increasing to 120 will make no difference to performance.
    http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll245/oldwelshman/
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5Bfqj5fxY

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