Maybe a dumb question (or two)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes, I have the Alex Ace-19 rims. I'd love to have either 25s or 28s.

Can anyone recommend a higher pressure tire?

Any tire that is thinner will be pumped up to higher pressure. Fat tires get pumped to lower pressure. It's a matter of physics, not tire brand.
Every tire will have it's maximum pressure recommendation printed right on it.
If you get a narrower tire like a 25 or 28, it will automatically be a 'higher pressure' tire than the ones you have now.

[sandra]

I talked to another guy at another bike shop. He didn't think that going from a 32 to a 28 would make enough difference to be worth it. He didn't think I'd notice that much difference, even if the tire was a higher pressure tire.

He also said that with the smaller tire I would be more likely to have flats riding on the road (as opposed to the rails-to-trails bike path)

I was interested in Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires and no one had them locally. Of course I could order online but I'm wondering if I should just forget it.

[pll]

He also said that with the smaller tire I would be more likely to have flats riding on the road (as opposed to the rails-to-trails bike path)

Tsk, tsk, bad bike shop guy. I have 23s (cheap stock tires, Continental Sport 1000) and I have used them for 7 years (2600 miles on my current odometer). I have yet to have a flat. I am religious about ensuring they are properly inflated prior to every ride, and I have taken these tires through roads and sometimes gravel trails.

[Melalvai]

I have yet to have a flat. I am religious about ensuring they are properly inflated prior to every ride, and I have taken these tires through roads and sometimes gravel trails.

Isn't it true that a fix-a-flat kit actually prevents flats?

[sarahspins]

He also said that with the smaller tire I would be more likely to have flats riding on the road (as opposed to the rails-to-trails bike path)

This is true.. but ONLY if you fail to maintain correct tire pressure (meaning checking/filling before every ride - invest in a good floor pump if you haven't already). If you fail to do so, road tires are more prone to "pinch flats" than most hybrid and MTB tires are simply because there is less distance between the road and the rim... but a properly inflated tire really isn't at a huge risk.. not enough to be paranoid over, so long as you're checking pressure.

I've yet to have a flat while riding on any bike... I do ride with supplies if I were to have one, it just hasn't happened. I don't really expect it to happen... I would just hate to be stranded if it did.

[sandra]

I always check the tires and inflate before every ride.

Do you think that I would notice a difference in going from the 32s to the 28s? Or would you agree that it is not enough to notice? I'm not sure I want to go to the 25s (although I'm not sure why!)

[Blueberry]

I always check the tires and inflate before every ride.

Do you think that I would notice a difference in going from the 32s to the 28s? Or would you agree that it is not enough to notice? I'm not sure I want to go to the 25s (although I'm not sure why!)

Yes. I do. To me, there's a big difference. I like the Specialized All Condition Sport. Cheap, and have worked great for me in a 28 and 32.

[smittykitty]

Switched from Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase 32s to the 25s on my Trek FX 7.5. Really glad. Picked up a couple miles per hr. Felt a little narrower for the first couple of minutes, then never thought about it again after that. Do feel the chip seal with higher pressure. Have to keep reminding husband that I don't really need 100+ pds of pressure for my weight. Happy Biking

[pll]

Since tire pressure is being discussed, allow me to point to a neat chart I found years ago (posted here) when I was trying to minimize the impact of road buzz on my hands.

Rather than as "ideal" inflation, I've used this chart as the minimum tire pressure I can get away with given my weight and the bike's. In tend to go close the maximum PSI for my rear wheel (120 psi is what my tires can take), but I go closer to the lower inflation suggested by the chart in my front wheel.

[marni]

I talked to another guy at another bike shop. He didn't think that going from a 32 to a 28 would make enough difference to be worth it. He didn't think I'd notice that much difference, even if the tire was a higher pressure tire.

He also said that with the smaller tire I would be more likely to have flats riding on the road (as opposed to the rails-to-trails bike path)

I was interested in Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires and no one had them locally. Of course I could order online but I'm wondering if I should just forget it.

I have been riding on Bontrager Race Lite Harcase tires on my trek pilot 5.2 and swear by them. I have done three cross country rides and only ever had one flat and that was riding locally.

That being said, I check my tires thoroughly at the end of each ride and inflate them to the suggested pressure (120 pounds) every time I ride. I ride in traffic and on major highways more often than not, so the shoulders are always full of junk. I try hard not to ride over stuff, but that is also why I check my tires at the end of each ride, as well as mid ride on the longer jaunts or if I have ridden through some junky area, especially where there are trucks and exploded radial tires and the tiny wires that they shed.

Just another happy bontrager race lite user.

As for the bike guy, blow a raspberry at him next time you pass, he should be seeing how safe it is to make possible what it is you are trying to do rather than patting you on the head and telling you you don't want to have to worry your pretty little head about nasty old flats on the road. If you learn how to change a tire, where's the problem.

marni