tyre pressures

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youngpensioner 26 Apr 20:16  

Joined: 26 Apr 2010

Posts: 6

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Hello to all of you out there. I'm coming back to cycling after many years away. i'm soon to be 65 but i am trying to stay as young as possible. I live in East Notts in Farnsfield. I see lots of talk about tyre pressures 40 psi 50psi etc..how do you know what pressure is in tyre. I'm using Halfords best cheapo hand pump but am getting very frustrated as more air gets out, than goes in the tyre. Tips and advice please.

captgeoff 27 Apr 08:05  

Joined: 28 May 2008

Posts: 36

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My Profile 		Those are ok to carry with you, but for home get a stirrup mtype pump with pressure guage, tyres should be marked with the correct pressure.
Good luck
Geoff

My Latest Route: Feb 2009 Brabourne to Kingsnorth Circular

dudley 27 Apr 08:35  

Joined: 16 Jan 2009

Posts: 498

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My Profile 		depends on type of wheel / tyre, obviously.
Some small hand pumps aren't rated to go up to the pressures required in the really skinny road tyres (700x23)
these require 130 psi, which may well be beyond el cheapo.


that said, mountain bike tyres generally require between 40 and 80psi, depending on what type of riding you're doing. Most tyres will say their max-min pressures

a stirrup or track pump is excellent - but pricey.

best advice may be to get the tyres pumped up to the required pressure (using a.n.others pump) and have a good feel / squeeze. To be honest, that should be good enough. Whe you are on the bike, you can see how much or how little 'bulge' there is where the tyre meets the road, and remember that too.

If it looks right and feels right, it probably is right.

With a hand pump, it is unlikely you'll overdo it.

My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular

youngpensioner 27 Apr 08:50  

Joined: 26 Apr 2010

Posts: 6

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Ta for the advice, i'll check out the options and try again.



guitarpete247 14 Feb 20:49  

Joined: 14 Feb 2011

Posts: 33

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My Profile 		I got a track pump from Aldi or Lidl (can't remember which) it has a pressure guage for only about £5. Keep an eye on their web site for cyling weeks as they have some good bargains. I also carry a Decathlon pump (no longer available) which has pressure guage built in though I can't get it up to 100 psi (nearest I've managed is 80).

My Latest Route: Apr 2011 Newton Burgoland Circular via Fenny Drayton and Bosworth

SteveyB 25 May 06:51  

Joined: 12 May 2011

Posts: 7

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I have the £5 Aldi pump, it is very good and easy to use. If you can get one I would recomend it.