Fill up those tires!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It's really good to have a floor pump with a pressure gauge dial and a little "wing" stand that you put your feet/foot on to steady- keep that pump in your garage or wherever you keep your bike. That's the pump you'll mostly use to pump up before you ride. It shouldn't be that difficult to pump the pressure up on it.

The smaller portable pump is the one you take with you for flats- that's the one that it can be a bit harder to get the pressure up by pumping with your hand. It may not have a gauge. It can be compact, might telescope, or you can attach it to under your top tube, or along your frame parallel to your water bottle cage.

[caligurl]

i don't run my tires at 120 either.... i run them at 100.... cushier ride!

[Bikingmomof3]

I check my tires every day, before I ride. My tires always need some air. I have presta valves, but I am uncertain of the question as I have not encountered any difficulty with the valves-granted I have only know presta valves, so I am missing information.

[bcipam]

Something I learned long ago... before every ride, I check my tires. The hand pressure test is just not accurate espceially if you run your tires at 100 psi like I do. Properly inflated tires will prevent pinch flats and other problems plus the bike will roll better. I have a floor pump I keep inthe garage and another is kept in the car so no excuses! Also... and yes I learned this the hard way... always remember to tighten up the stem valve after filling your tires.

[Running Mommy]

yep! Like everyone else.. The one time I said to myself "ehh.. my tires feel ok" is the time I got my first pinch flat! Never again!

[eclectic]

My LBS guy told me to keep them inflated not only to prevent pinch flats but also to save the rims.

I inflate to 120 on a normal basis, 110 on a hot day and 100 on a wet day.

I too check my tires every time as part of my preride ritual

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

We must remember that not all tires should be inflated to the same pressure.
My tires, for example, are 700c x 37cm, and have recommended pressure range of between 60 and 90 psi. So people shouldn't really recommend specific pressures assuming that all tires need similar pressure. If I inflated mine to 120 for instance, they'd probably blow! And I can run on mine at 70psi and not get pinch flats as would happen with maybe thinner 700 road tires like 25's.

[roshelleuop]

I ride a specialized roubiax road bike and always keep them at 110. I check them every time I ride, no matter what the weather or temp.

Roshelle from Milwaukee

[Bruno28]

I have not encountered any difficulty with the valves-granted I have only know presta valves, so I am missing information.

The problem is I was used to 'normal' valves having only recently bought a serious bike. I think normal valves are now called shraeder valves and they are completely different. Or maybe you're just brighter than me!

[Bikingmomof3]

The problem is I was used to 'normal' valves having only recently bought a serious bike. I think normal valves are now called shraeder valves and they are completely different. Or maybe you're just brighter than me!

No, I seriously doubt my intelleigence has anything to do with my tire knowledge or lack there of. I have been on a bike for slightly over a month. So, my only tire knowledge comes from those tires. Until this thread I assumed all valves were the same. I do so enjoy it here, I learn so many new things every single day.