Fill up those tires!!

[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.

[caligurl]

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.

good point... i ASSUMED road tires... since that what i ride 99% of the time! so my 120 psi recommended tires (700X23) i run at 100 for a nicer ride! (and for my size, too.... no need for me to have 120 psi in my tires!)

my mtb tires.... hmmmmm.... my bad.... i have NO IDEA what is in them.... i ride it so rarely... and i have hubby take care of the air! but they are at less than recommended psi, too!

[Trekhawk]

good point... i ASSUMED road tires... since that what i ride 99% of the time! so my 120 psi recommended tires (700X23) i run at 100 for a nicer ride! (and for my size, too.... no need for me to have 120 psi in my tires!)

my mtb tires.... hmmmmm.... my bad.... i have NO IDEA what is in them.... i ride it so rarely... and i have hubby take care of the air! but they are at less than recommended psi, too!

LOL - dont do what I did and assume mtb tyres need to be super pumped like your road ones. I couldnt work out why my front wheel kept coming off the ground on hills when moutain biking (just assumed it was bad form on my part). I went riding with SK and she had a feel of my tyres and said hey they have way too much air in them. Dropped it down a tad and what do you know that front wheel didnt come up as soon as I hit a tree root on a climb. YIPEE

So what did I learn from this - different types of mountain biking require different air pressure in those tyres.

[bcipam]

My road tires are 700 X 25 and I pump them up to 100 (max is 120). The wider the tire the lower the pressure can be. 28's - 32's can run around 70 - 90 and mountain bike tire generally run around 40. It amazes me some of the really thin tires - 21's and 23's can be blown up to 150 or higher - get a puncture and KAPOW-Y!!!!!!

[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.

[Bruno28]

Bruno, those Presta valves are a bit temperamental. I have a floor pump and I still end up having to remove and attach the valve head a few times to get it lined up properly. If it's not aligned you'll get that feeling that the pump won't budge, but it's definitely not because the tire's full.

I see what you mean about it being easier to pump when it's 'lined up'....but I'm not sure what I'm lining up with what??? Maybe I just think about things too much.

[DebW]

Presta valves can be sticky. Sometimes you have to hit the pin a couple times and let a little air out before the pump can put air in. And try to keep the pump chuck perpendicular to the rim. Moving the pump around on the floor until things line up is often helpful.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think on Presta valves, after you unscrew the little dohicky and it is all the way at the end of the piin, you are SUPPOSED to press it in a bit to let a LITTLE air out before attaching the pump to it. I was told this "opens" the Presta valve and makes it unstick and ready to accept the pump valve. Note: it can be a bit startling the first time when the air shoots out on your finger, but after that you expect it.

[Kalidurga]

I see what you mean about it being easier to pump when it's 'lined up'....but I'm not sure what I'm lining up with what???

I'm guessing that what happens is that the valve stem can get knocked crooked if the pump chuck (thanks DebW, I wasn't sure what that's called) isn't put on just right, which would probably inhibit airflow. You do have to prime the valve, as DebW and Lisa S.H. described, but gettin' that chuck just right is always an issue for me.

Re: Proper tire pressure for thin road tires-- Does anyone here have access to the RoadBikeRider article archives? I seem to recall an e-newsletter a few months ago that talked about keeping road bike tires inflated to 85-90psi, regardless of what was recommended. I may have to pay for a membership and see if I can find that article. The guy made some interesting comments.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've also heard that one should occasionally replace the rubber end on the Presta pump vavle- that it does wear with use and won't form a good seal after a lot of use.

[DebW]

I've also heard that one should occasionally replace the rubber end on the Presta pump valve- that it does wear with use and won't form a good seal after a lot of use.

It's just a rubber grommet and easy to replace. I've had them last 10-20 years however. Also if your pump head just screws down on the grommet, it makes a difference how tightly you screw it down. Too tight and the hole in the grommet gets smaller and may hold the valve open even when you're not pumping so that all the air leaks out. Too loose it may not seal well. If you're having trouble with your pump seal, try tightening or loosening the chuck head over the grommet.

[Kano]

Okay, so these presta valves sound icky. too much fiddling. I think I might be more apprehensive about these than I was about the pedals!

Do they make such thing as road bike tires/wheels with schrader valves?

Karen in Boise

[Kalidurga]

Okay, so these presta valves sound icky. too much fiddling. I think I might be more apprehensive about these than I was about the pedals!

In spite of how we've made it sound, Presta valves really are not that bad. I probably take off and re-align the pump head/chuck/thingie two or three times to get it right. Takes maybe one extra minute of fiddling. Based on what Lisa and Deb just posted, though, I'm thinking I need to do a little inspection on my pump valve.

[Dogmama]

Re: Proper tire pressure for thin road tires-- Does anyone here have access to the RoadBikeRider article archives? I seem to recall an e-newsletter a few months ago that talked about keeping road bike tires inflated to 85-90psi, regardless of what was recommended. I may have to pay for a membership and see if I can find that article. The guy made some interesting comments.

I inflate mine to 120 (road bike.) I think 85-90 is WAY too low. You risk snake bite flats - where the tube gets caught between the tire and the rim. The holes appear like snake bites - or so I'm told - I can never find the %#$&^ holes in my tubes (as mentioned on another thread.)

A higher psi = less rolling resistance = easier to pedal. I'm 52 years old tomorrow, so I need all the help I can get!