Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - New bike.. What tire pressure to use???

I've recently bought a Specialized Ruby Elite with 700x23 tires.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/714683-New-Ride

My old ride is a Trek FX with 700x32 tires and I've been running the tires at 90psi in the front and 100psi in the rear. I found a formula that suggested these psi's and have had no flats or other issues. The same formula says I should run something lime 130psi on the back with the 23's... Which obviously isn't going to happen.

Any insight on tire pressure from the perspective of a heavier rider. I'm 270lbs atpm and I'm thinking about buying new slightly wider tires... 700x25... But wanted to see what y'all had to say! If I did buy new tires, any suggestions?

Shannon

I run 25's, Gatorskins mostly. I was about your weight when I started and ran 120 in the rear, 110 in the front.

You can run the 23's for now, what is the max pressure stated on the side of the tire?

Check the tire for it's max PSI, run that.

Typically a 23 will top out around 110-120psi.

You can run the 23's for now, what is the max pressure stated on the side of the tire?

Pretty sure it's 120psi. I was actually considering the Gatorskins.

Ditto, I like to max out my PSI, less rolling resistance the better.

I run 700 X 28's

I've recently bought a Specialized Ruby Elite with 700x23 tires.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/714683-New-Ride

My old ride is a Trek FX with 700x32 tires and I've been running the tires at 90psi in the front and 100psi in the rear. I found a formula that suggested these psi's and have had no flats or other issues. The same formula says I should run something lime 130psi on the back with the 23's... Which obviously isn't going to happen.

Any insight on tire pressure from the perspective of a heavier rider. I'm 270lbs atpm and I'm thinking about buying new slightly wider tires... 700x25... But wanted to see what y'all had to say! If I did buy new tires, any suggestions?

Shannon

I don't think there is going to be much difference between a 23 and a 25, what may be an issue, some frames are designed for 23mm only tires, looking at the photos from the other thread, there doesn't look to be a lot of room there, I doubt you could fit a 28 for example. Look on the side of the tire, where it says maximum pressure, use that number, don't worry about optimum pressures if they are higher. In a lot of cases if your maximum is 120PSI and your optimum is 125PSI, the difference on a 100 mile ride will be a minute or so.... Lots is made of rolling resistance, when for the larger rider, wind resistance is a bigger deal....

I run 120psi on both front and rear

I use Sefas Seca tires from REI. 700X25 wire beads. $24 and pretty good in the flat resist dept.

Tires say 130 max but I use 120.

Check the tire for it's max PSI, run that.

Typically a 23 will top out around 110-120psi.Don't rely on this. I had a pair of Vreddestein tires, max: 180psi. I ran them at 140 on the road and the back tire bounced all over anytime I was out of the saddle. Plus, your rims might not handle it.

Instead, the general pressure is from 100-120psi. I weigh 265lbs. and run Michelin ProRace3 700x23s at 124psi or so. This works for me.

I usually go about 110-115 with my 25s, but in the end it depends on you. You've got to reach a balance in your preferences. On the one hand, with slightly lower pressures you'll have a little more comfort, but at the cost of a little extra rolling resistance and an increased tendency for pinch, or "snake-bite," flats when you hit bumps in the pavement (or rim damage if it's severe enough). On the other hand, with higher pressures you have easier pedaling and more resistance to pinch flats, but a harsher ride that will telegraph all the pavement irregularities to your butt and hands.

Keep in mind these are all marginal and sometimes subtle distinctions, and besides the fact that some of them are matters of subjective preference, they can be easily canceled out by something as simple as changing to a different brand of tire. It's not a black-and-white world.

I run close to the max psi on all of my bikes.

Pretty sure it's 120psi. I was actually considering the Gatorskins.

I've been happy with mine. I'm approaching 4K miles on the current set. I'm going to change the rear in the next couple weeks it is starting to get "square", the front should be good for quite a while. I'm sure there are faster tires out there, but these are not slowing me down any.

270lbs 700x25 120psi front and rear.

Higher pressure is highly over rated. I ran 120 psi for a million years, then listened to some very smart people and now run 100. Max.

I run 22-25mm [tubulars mostly but PRO 3's from time to time] and I've wasted myself away getting back into "race shape" from 255 down to 227.

* Better grip imo.

* Much better ride imo.

* Never, yes never, had a pinch flat.

* Have far fewer flats in general then all those years running 120.

* I'm better looking and funnier too.

I ride crappy VT pavement and short sections of dirt road time to time.

Besides being one of the most interesting men in cycling, my secret is to ride 'light'. I don't sit on my saddle like 10 pounds of trash in a 5 pound bag.

Decided to go with 700x28's and installed them myself! I'd never changed a flat, so I figured this wasn't much different, plus it gave me some useful knowlege should I ever need it on the road! :)

Shannon

Decided to go with 700x28's and installed them myself! I'd never changed a flat, so I figured this wasn't much different, plus it gave me some useful knowlege should I ever need it on the road! :)

Shannon

Learning the ins and outs of the tire changing process in the warmth and comfort of home is invaluable practice for doing it on the road. Good for you.

I typically only run 100 psi in my tires. and most are 700x23. Even my tubulars are pumped to 100 psi. I put enough pressure in to prevent pinch flats and still feel smooth.

310lbs...tires 700x25....100psi front and back...no issues.