Touring - How often do you pump up your tyres on tour

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JoeLonghair
12-04-06, 02:14 PM
Recently whilst touring, with a friend, I noticed that every 2 days I had to pump my 700x 28 back up to 8 bars, 120psi, whilst my friend riding on 700x 32 had to pump up his tyres every 4-5 days. His tyres went to max 6 bars, 80 psi. I carry approx 15 kg whilst touring and his weight was about the same. I just wonderes if wider tyres needed less filling up then the narrower tyres.
velonomad
12-04-06, 02:39 PM
All tires( or rather tubes) leak to some degree, 120psi in a smaller tire casing is always going to lose air quicker than a larger casing( greater air volume) running at a much lower pressure of 80 psi.
I pump my 700x32 marathons up to 90psi and don't touch them for 4 or 5 days at a time. When they start looking low I'll deal with them.
700x28? Geeesh, I don't think I've even seen tires that thin! :D
Just kidding. The above statement (Velonomad) is true. Narrower tires will require more 'topping off' than higher volume tires. I like a cushy ride and my 26x1.75 touring tires only see about 45-50 psi. Even fully loaded.
There are some pretty nice latex or latex blend tubes that hold air better.
Bacciagalupe
12-04-06, 07:35 PM
I pump them every day as part of a pre-ride checkup. Takes about 30 seconds. Is your time really that precious? :D
With my 26x1.75 tires, I think I pumped them up once every two weeks or so. They were pretty good at holding around 50 PSI.
acantor
12-05-06, 07:19 AM
I pump when my tires start to feel a little soft, which is usually every two or three days. I have also been known to top up when I am about to head out on a rough road.
On my last tour I rode on new tubes and tires, and I did not need the pump for all six days of my tour!
I pump up my tires as often as they need it. On my last tour, which was twelve days, I pumped the rear tire once, and the front not at all.
BigBlueToe
12-05-06, 08:18 AM
I pump mine up every morning. I want full pressure for the day's ride. Of course, if I forget, or if I get behind schedule and decide to skip it I don't stress. I think if you pump them up every three days or so the pressure stays so close to full as to make the difference negligible. This is based on absolutely no scientific evidence - simply my own opinion.
JoeLonghair
03-12-07, 05:10 PM
Thanks all, that’s about covers it, I guess the best thing to do is pump a little every day, don't fret if you don't, as mentioned, but I suppose if it does not make much difference in the psi in the tyre doing it on a daily basis then at least you get that psychological uplift from it.
BILLB58
03-13-07, 07:19 AM
Rear tire, every day........front tire, every other day.......somedays they only need a few lbs, some days as much as 5-10 lbs......Schwalbe Marathons..700x28............no "incidents" for over 2,300 mi. at this point....24.8 miles R/T commute.
All I know is, if a tire's starting to feel even remotely soft and I don't take the opportunity to top off, I will flat that tire straightaway.
Here in the USA in Wal-mart stores you can purchase 27" X 1, 1 1/8, and 1 1/4" tubes (which also fit 700cc tires) that are extra thick and only lose 5 Lbs. a month! I use them in my 700 X 38 tires.
bccycleguy
03-13-07, 02:50 PM
I check them every morning, but only pump them a bit maybe every second day.
JoeLonghair
03-19-07, 02:56 AM
Rear tire, every day........front tire, every other day.......somedays they only need a few lbs, some days as much as 5-10 lbs......Schwalbe Marathons..700x28............no "incidents" for over 2,300 mi. at this point....24.8 miles R/T commute.
I did not know you could get Schwalbe Marathons..700x28, used them on my hybrid and toured 1000 of miles without any probs, it would be nice to get back to them, cheers
It's a lot easier to have tires with minimal rolling resistance, that might need a little maintenance than tires that are too soft or heavy, but require none. Now where you draw that line is a whole other mater.
It's a lot easier to have tires with minimal rolling resistance, that might need a little maintenance than tires that are too soft or heavy, but require none. Now where you draw that line is a whole other mater.
Other than a slight weight increase my Bell Airtight tubes ride and feel the same is the old LBS lightweight tubes they replaced . I also haven’t had a flat in over a year with them! The tubes have nothing to do with rolling resistance anyway, that’s a factor of the tire.
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