When I commute on the bike path, I sometimes see recreational riders with really low tire pressure. My rule is that when I'm riding, I don't tell other riders how to ride unless they are a direct danger to me (extremely rare), so I haven't said anything. I'm also concerned that if I helped, I could make the situation worse if they have a bad stem that gets messed up while I'm pumping away.

Do you think most recreational riders would be grateful or annoyed at being told that they need to check their tire pressure?

At one time years ago I thought I would do that. I stopped after a while. Most people get annoyed here. But a few were genuinly grateful
I think you will get a mixed result. Some will want you to pump up their tires for them for sure, and someday something will go wrong. A bad stem is a good guess. Something you think is just a fast fill up will turn into a big project eventually.
Some will go to the gas station later because you mentioned it, blow their tires off the rim, and blame you.
You might get some very, very, very, gratefull females. The ones you don't want to be gratefull. I picked up a crazy stalker once by fixing a bike computer.

It's a good way to have some funny stories. It's a good way to slow down your commute.

Why not try it and post the results? You may also get cash tips for your help. You might get reported to the police too.

I usually say something like, "I think maybe you have a slow leak, that tire is almost flat." seems to go over better.

I don't unless the cyclist "looks experienced". I guess I see 2 that fit this catergory per year, if that where I will say something. I know I can't fix the world and will generally reserve offers of assistance to neighbors and friends.

I usually say something like, "I think maybe you have a slow leak, that tire is almost flat." seems to go over better.

Perfect way to point it out.

-José

I picked up a crazy stalker once by fixing a bike computer.


You say crazy and stalker like they're bad things! :eek:

I usually say something like, "I think maybe you have a slow leak, that tire is almost flat." seems to go over better.


That's one pick-up line I haven't tried yet. :p

If she's cute, tell her and offer to pump it up for her.






I tried, several times, but I can't find any way to finish that sentence without it sounding dirty.

i tell them if their quick release is messed up

If she's cute, tell her and offer to pump it up for her.

I tried, several times, but I can't find any way to finish that sentence without it sounding dirty.
You could have added, "if you know what I mean...heh heh heh" on the end of it.

No wait, now it sounds worse.

I tried. :D

As a cycling newbie I wouldn't be offended...I'd be thanking you for the help!

I rode around for 5 months without inflating my tires--they weren't obviously leaking, they felt OK to me, and I was too darn cheap to buy a pump. I was grateful when someone pointed out the problem to me. "Felt OK to me" was about 20 psi.

Some people don't appreciate the help, but.. you can really help someone out. :o

Most low tire pressure riders are also sporting one or more of these other hazards; a brown, squealing chain, a chattering rear derailleur, a WAY too low saddle, a tacoed wheel with it's brake slackened, spindles that used to be pedals and on and on.

it sounds like a great way to pick up chicks, otherwise i wouldn't say anything, if their tyre pressure is that low then there must me dozens of other problems too, such as trouser/shirt color coordination. where does it end?

If they bicycle for exercise, then low tire pressure just gives them more exercise!:D

The thing that drives me most nuts is a squeaking chain. I once passed a guy riding a nice Trek roadie which was dry as a desert. Yes, I carry some tri-flow. He was making so much noise it was scary. So, we stopped together at an intersection, and I asked him if I might lube his chain a bit. He said fine, and I fixed it up. It sounded a lot better, but I am afraid he might have some permanent damage.

Anyway, generally I just let it go unless it seems dangerous. I led a group ride a few weeks back. One lady had 5 pounds in her tire. I had my Joe Blow Sport in my trunk, and inflated her tires to near the max on the side of the tire. She rode a lot better!

The too low saddle seems to be very popular around here; some people have their knees coming up higher than their hips!

I only make suggestions if we're in a conversation, stopped somewhere, etc.

My stepdaughter and her kids always have low tire pressure, unlubed chains, etc. By now they know that Papa Bill will take care of things so they don't bother.

I use to think my tire pressure was just fine untill I picked up a Joe Blow with the guage. Turns out that I must have a very weak thumb. All these years I was riding around on tires that were only half pumped. Thanks Joe.

I have a riding buddy that always comments that my rear tire looks low.

Very annoying.

It's not low, I just weigh a metric ton! I jack that stupid tire up to 100+ PSI!

That's one pick-up line I haven't tried yet. :p

I'm a thinkin' that this would NOT be a good pickup line for the ladies. . . ;)



. . .
The thing that drives me most nuts is a squeaking chain. I once passed a guy riding a nice Trek roadie which was dry as a desert. . .

Whenever I go to my brother's house down by San Diego, CA, I ride the Pacific Coast Highway. I rode there a few weeks ago and I was amazed at the number of roadies, in full-on kit AND riding singly or with large groups, that had noisy, squeaky bikes/chains/running gear. . . Horrendous.

One of my pleasures when riding is pedaling in nearly complete silence, listening to the sounds that are outside, from cars to animals. Noisy, squeaky, rattling bicycles drive me nuts too!

I watched a tandem go down on a short (20 yds) downhill because a low tire went flat at the wrong moment. The woman on the back cracked a hip and had to leave in an ambulance. This was not in her plan for the day. I'm quite sure it wasn't in her financial plan either. Safety comes first.TELL THEM Better yet, fix it for them. bk