Folding Bikes - Tyre pressure
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What tyre pressure provides good balance between rolling resistance and comfort?
This is for 20x1.5 Marathons. They are specified as 40-100psi.
Thanks,
Kam
10 Wheels
03-28-09, 12:12 PM
You would be the one to decide what is best for your comfort level.
Try different psi 's on the same road.
You would be the one to decide what is best for your comfort level.
Try different psi 's on the same road.
I hoped for slightly more info than that ;-)
Can you tell me about your experience?
Kam
I hoped for slightly more info than that ;-)
Can you tell me about your experience?
Kam
I'll give you some conjecture and a little bit of anecdote.
I put 20x1.75 marathons on my Moulton TSR and they were very satisfactory. A bit slower than the stelvios that it came with. The moulton has suspension front and back and I blew them up rock hard and they were great. However, had I not had suspension, I might have found them a rough ride. The bike was very sure footed with the tyres at 100psi (measured on my workshop pump so a bit of plus or minus could be applicable and I don't know which).
I would say just try different pressures and evaluate the speed against rough ride continuum. I bet they'd be fine at about 55 psi on an unsuspended bike, but you'll have to try it and see. There are so many variables in the rider's preference / road surface / tyre pressure / tyre type equation that I doubt anyone can just give a simple answer.
Anyway - experimenting is fun and passes the time.
gregstandt
03-28-09, 03:07 PM
Here's an excellent article written by Sheldon Brown discussing tire pressure and other tire issues.
http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/Brown_tires.pdf
There is also an article this month in Adventure Cyclist on tire pressure but I didn't see it available online yet.
operator
03-28-09, 03:31 PM
I hoped for slightly more info than that ;-)
Can you tell me about your experience?
Kam
Optimal tyre pressure depends on road condition and total weight of rider/bike and desired comfort level.
chagzuki
03-28-09, 03:55 PM
I'm one of the 'fat tyre run soft' gang. Big Apples or an equivalent run at 20 - 35 psi for me. Anything else is too harsh for the less-than-perfect London road surfaces.
I’m running with Schwalbe Kojaks on the Dahon and Schwalbe Stelvio on the Brompton... both pumped up near the max @ 100 psi. Speed over comfort for me :thumb: