Northeast - Question re inflating cold tires

Hi everyone,

I'm brand new here and I apologize in advance for asking what is probably a stupid question for all you seasoned riders and probably has been asked before but I couldn't find it using the search engine, so..

It's about 40 degrees and sunny here on Mount Desert Island in Maine and I decided to take my bike out for the first time this spring. My tires have presta valves and they're supposed to be inflated to 120 psi. Try as I might I couldn't get them to inflate past 80 psi. Is that because they're cold? The temp here the past few days has fluctuated between a low of 20 and a high of 40.

Thanks for your help!

Annie

Annie, how big are you? Plenty of women can't inflate tires that high and really don't need to. 80 psi might be a bit low but unless you're racing 100 to 110 is usually more than adequate for most women. Also some pumps are easier to use than others. I use a Parks which is OK but I've heard Silca (http://www.velonews.com/article/87340/2009-silca-pista-pump) are easier to use than others.

Annie, how big are you? Plenty of women can't inflate tires that high and really don't need to. 80 psi might be a bit low but unless you're racing 100 to 110 is usually more than adequate for most women. Also some pumps are easier to use than others. I use a Parks which is OK but I've heard Silca (http://www.velonews.com/article/87340/2009-silca-pista-pump) are easier to use than others.

Hi Stacy,

Thanks for your reply! I think I'm pretty big - 5'6" and 190 lbs. My bike store guy said the tires are supposed to be inflated to 120 psi. I use a Park Tools floor pump which seems okay. So you don't think it's a cold temperature issue?

Thanks,
Annie

Hi Annie,
I've been riding all winter and I've never noticed that tires are any harder to inflate in cold weather than other times. But then I only inflate mine to about 100 psi. If I was going for 120 it might be an entirely different story.

Stacy

I have a cheapo kmart Schwinn floor pump that doesn't like to pump past 100psi. It feels like there's a safety valve somewhere and the only way to pump a tube up to 110-120 is to push quickly and forcefully. Might do the trick for your pump too. If all else fails ask the guy at the shop if they can pump your tire up. Just to eliminate any doubt, bring your pump along and see if he has a problem pumping up to pressure with it.

Good luck, happy riding.

Late to the thread, so if you solved the problem...

First, after inflating to 80 psi press on your tires with your thumb hard. If you can indent them any more than slightly you are way over 80 psi and you have a broken pump gauge.

If you can press them in quite a ways, then bring the bike and the pump in doors where it is warm, let everything warm up, and then try to inflate your tires. If you can inflate them easily, then take the pump outside and let it get cold and try it again. If you can not inflate the tires you have a bad seal in the pump that will not work when it is cold.

If you can, then you probably have moisture in your tire.

For the $4 a tube it will cost to replace the tubes I would not bother trying to get the moisture out, but if you want me to explain that just let me know.

Hi exRunner, thanks I will try that! Yes, after inflating to 80 psi I can only slightly indent the tires with my thumb.

Happy Spring!

Annie
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