blew my first tire today + psi help
The tires will naturally lose pressure over time. I routinely put air in the tires every time I ride, since pinch flats due to low pressure are probably the most common. And if you're having trouble getting past 100 PSI (I typically run 110 in clinchers) then look at getting a better pump. From a maintenance standpoint a good floor pump is one of the best investments you can make.
I agree with Jamie. A good floor pump is a must. FYI those combo shrader / presta heads never work. I would just get a good presta pump with built in pressure gauge. It pays to go to a bike shop to buy one, those KMART specials just don't cut it.
Check with your bike shop to see what PSI you should run. I have Mavic Ksyrium rims / Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX wheels and run about 120 PSI. Gotta check your tires before every ride. If your back tire is only at 50 PSI then you will see much better rolling speed once you pump those babies up.
I just blem my first tire too this week. Was out on an 18.5 mile ride and about 6 miles into it hit a rock on the side of the road. Luckily i had a tube and a frame pump to fill it up. It was such a pain to do along the side of a 2 lane country highway road. Good times.
[COLOR=Red]We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. :p
I'd say it is normal - I try to check my tire pressure before every ride. By the way, it should tell you somewhere on the sidewall of your tire what your maximum pressure is - take a look, you should be able to find it.
thanks guys... i feel kinda like a newb (since i know so little), i appreciate the help!!!
-josh
Before each Saturday and Wednesday ride i drain the air out of my tires (makes it easier to pump up when their not at full pressure) and pump them up to ~110 PSI (this pressure will depend on your tire and rim) using a floor pump at home. This means that my tire pressure is always just right as tires can loose pressure over the course of a few days.
I know some people in my club use a "fresh air" concept. They replace the air in their tires and pump them up to their desired pressure before each ride. I little pedantic it think, but a good way to ensure your tires are always at the right pressure before a ride.
I always carry a hand pump with me on rides, but i never expect more than 90-100 PSI from it. Thats enough pressure to get me home after a flat though :) .
I add air to my tires every single ride. But I also ride with a competitive group, that frankly, runs me into the ground. My average HR on the last ride was 170bpm for 24 miles. I need every advantage I can get. That includes decreasing rolling resistance. As for psi, you have to read the tire wall. For example, my tires can be inflated to 175psi. I don't ever go that far....usually around 140psi is fine for me. I agree with the others. You MUST get a quality bike pump.
I have this pump and it works awesome.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17141&subcategory_ID=4360
Sljv, how long did it take for your rear tires to get from 100psi down to 50? I notice if I don't ride my bike for a week the psi on my tires only goes down to 80 at most.
Check out the Topeak Road Morph if you have a chance, it's a nice pump for roadside repairs. I'm a weakling and I can pump my tires back up to 110psi in a short time and without much difficultly.
Sljv, how long did it take for your rear tires to get from 100psi down to 50? I notice if I don't ride my bike for a week the psi on my tires only goes down to 80 at most.Check out the Topeak Road Morph if you have a chance, it's a nice pump for roadside repairs. I'm a weakling and I can pump my tires back up to 110psi in a short time and without much difficultly.
haha about a month without inflating them...
-josh




well about 7.5 mi into my ride this morning i got stuck with a thorn and my front wheel flatted on me.. i left my pump at home (bonehead move), so i had to call a friend to pick me up and take me home..
i went to work for the day, came back and attempted to replace the tube.. the hardest part was figuring out how the air was supposed to get into that dang tube (untwist that tiny thing, who woulda thunk).. total time 45 minutes!! hahaha, at least if i get one during a race ill be prepared
so im pumping the air into the tire and it takes a whole lot of strength to get it past 100 psi (im pretty sure these are rated at 100-120).. i plugged it in my back one to see what it was at.. only 50 psi!!!.. is this normal after only 200 mi on the bike? did i pump up the tires way too much or what?
tia
-josh