Inflation, the tire kind

[pooks]

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?

[Geonz]

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 )

[Veronica]

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.

[pooks]

Thank you!