Tire pressure question

[ace]

Thanks, all. So do heavier people generally have to have more air in their tires?

[Eden]

Thanks, all. So do heavier people generally have to have more air in their tires?

I'm not so sure its a case of heavier people have to have more pressure as it is one of lighter people can get away with less..... (I suppose thats 6 of one 1/2 a dozen of the other??), but really the lighter you are the rougher the ride you tend to get from high pressure in your tires, so you can go with less pressure for more comfort. If you are heavier using less pressure in your tires can make you more susceptible to pinch flats (when your innertube gets pinched between the tire and rim). Most tires don't go as high as yours and don't get pinch flats - my husband, who is around 187 or so, usually keeps his tires at the max for the brand he uses, which is 120psi.

[bikerz]

Hmm - I guess I've been using too high a tire pressure.

Now I'm trying to remember who suggested I use 120 psi - it was so long ago, but it was said with sufficient authority for me not to doubt it. I haven't gotten very many flats in the last 3 years (probably just jinxed myself!), and I am definitely a heavy rider.

So I ust looked up the specs on my wheels and tires: My Mavic Ksyrium wheels (rims, I guess) are rated for 138 psi max according to the Mavic website, and my tires (700x23mm Hutchinson Quartz) are rated 100 to 110, so I guess I am using too much pressure for the tires. Maybe I'll drop down to 100 on my next ride.

[Melstar]

I think there's a chart which tells you what tire pressure a rider should have for your weight.

http://stevensbicycles.com/page.cfm?PageID=662

Click on "step 3"