Inflation, the tire kind

When we first got our bikes my husband decided to inflate them about 60 or 65, sort of in the middle of the min and max. I rode for a couple of weeks, maybe three without checking because "common sense" told him that the middle was where it should be.

Then I realized I should be checking the inflation frequently so I bought a pump, and the guy at REI told me that the min 50 - max 85 on my hybrid tire meant 50 on dirt and 85 on the road.

So I inflated my tires to 80-85 and my husband was issuing dire warnings that they'd be more likely to puncture now that they're "over-inflated" (even though in my jargon, "over" would mean "over the 85 on the tire"). I took off riding and the ride was so much smoother and easier! (He aired his up to about 80, too, since I insisted he was supposed to.)

Now he has a flat. He pumped it up Wednesday morning to ride, and it's flat again tonight. And he thinks it's because I insisted he "over-inflate" it because it's obvious (there goes that common sense again) that a fully inflated tire is going to be more susceptible to puncture.

Help! Was the guy at REI wrong?

NO. He was right.

DId you guys check the tire for whatever insulted the tube in the first place? And even if you did, it can be hard to find. I took a tire into the bike shop ... they turned it inside out and found the little sliver...

A *properly* inflated tire is significantly less prone to puncture. Underinflated tires get "pinch flats," when you hit a pothole or the like and the squishy tire gets mashed against the rim. I had a good half dozen of those before I learned. (Google "pinch flat." Hmmm... maybe not... where else could that take you :rolleyes: )

A fully inflated tire is not more likely to get a flat. Some would say it's less likely because you won't get a pinch flat.

It was just bad luck.

Fully inflated tires will give you less rolling resistance, but will lead to a bumpier ride.

V.

Thank you!