Bicycle Mechanics - Question about tire gauges and loss of air pressure.

Ive been told and have read that I shouldnt go by my pump gauge. Well every time I use my solo gauge - which is a topeak digital - it seems as though I loose pressure putting it on and some taking it off. Is this the case, and if so, I think I would do better with sticking with my joe blow pump gauge.

I have used the solo gauge to check the accuracy of the gauges on my mini-pump and my floor pump. Then I just use the gauges on the pumps and mentally adjust the readings according to the calibration check.

If you are just pumping to the rated max, I would trust the Joeblow all day long. It's a tire, not a space shuttle.

Nikos, it depends on the pump gauge I guess. I had my LBS check the gauge on my Wrench Force Ventilator 2 and it was right on the money.

Originally posted by 1oldRoadie
If you are just pumping to the rated max, I would trust the Joeblow all day long. It's a tire, not a space shuttle. Works for me too.Besides how do you know any of them are calibrated or if they are when they might go off calibration.

If you get self-sealing tubes, your tire air pressure will drop a lot less overnight than with regular tubes. My tires used to drop 7-8 pounds overnight, but with the self-sealing, only 1-2 pounds. But if you get self-sealing tubes, be sure to even out the sealer in the tube with a rolling pin. The stuff is really thick, and doesn't distribute evenly throughout the tube by just spinning the wheel.
Also, an air compressor really saves a lot of time. I got one at Lowes for $59, and with five bikes, it has saved me a ton of pumping time. I also use it on my car tires as well as for blowing dust and debris out of my garage workshop.

Originally posted by 1oldRoadie
If you are just pumping to the rated max, I would trust the Joeblow all day long. It's a tire, not a space shuttle.
i just pump up mine as hard as i can get them ,there rated @ 120psi. on my floor pump ive fitted a gauge off an aceterlene bottle regulator so its quite accurate, but the old pump starts blowing air leaks much over 120 psi so i dont realy have to look , just listen :D

I remember hearing some where that when checking road tyre pressures with a Gage, each time you check it your pressure will drop anywhere from 3 - 5 lbs. (Never checked this out myself as far as it having any validity). Go figure!

If your tire has a presta valve put one of those schrader adapter things on to check the pressure, you lose a lot less.