How often do you check tire pressure?
05-03-05, 01:01 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Norway
Posts: 161
Bikes: Bros Sonic FS XT-LX hybrid w/Brooks Swift
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How often do you check tire pressure?
Got my new bike this February, a Bros hybrid with an XT/LX mix. I love the bike, but what I don't love is that I have to refill my tires every second week, as they will have lost around 10 PSI during this period (down from the recommended 70 PSI). Is this normal/acceptable? My old and multi-patched tubes of unknown make held the air much better, so maybe I'm spoiled. Tires are Continental SportContact 37-622 (700x37C), but I wouldn't know what brand of tubes I got. Comments appreciated.
Erling.
Erling.
05-03-05, 01:06 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Munich
Posts: 1,372
Bikes: Lemond Alpe d´Huez, Scott Sub 10, homemade mtb, Radlbauer adler (old city bike), Dahon impulse (folder with 20 inch wheels), haibike eq xduro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I pump mine up around once a week.
10 psi pressure loss in 2 weeks doesn't seem particularly abnormal or unacceptable to me.
Just get a decent floor pump designed specifically for bikes (Joe Blow or similar). They are worth every penny or whatever you use in Norway. A couple of pumps and you will be ready to go again.
10 psi pressure loss in 2 weeks doesn't seem particularly abnormal or unacceptable to me.
Just get a decent floor pump designed specifically for bikes (Joe Blow or similar). They are worth every penny or whatever you use in Norway. A couple of pumps and you will be ready to go again.
__________________
only the dead have seen the end of mass motorized stupidity
Plato
(well if he was alive today he would have written it)
only the dead have seen the end of mass motorized stupidity
Plato
(well if he was alive today he would have written it)
05-03-05, 01:17 AM
#3
Softcore Cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oregon
Posts: 474
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I find myself pumping mine up every 2-3 days. I have Hutchinson 700x23's that run at 120psi. They usually drop down to about 90 psi on about the third day.
05-03-05, 06:19 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,295
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I do mine before I ride which is 2 to 3 times a week. If I drive to the start point, I inflate them there to accomodate temperature differences. Not a big deal with a good pump.
Al
Al
05-03-05, 07:37 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Quahog, RI
Posts: 1,509
Bikes: Giant TCR Comps, Cdale R5000, Klein Q-Pro, Litespeed Siena, Piasano 105, Redline Conquest Pro, Voodoo Bizango, Fuji Aloha
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Joe Blow Sport pump can be had for $25 - $30 and has a nice gauge. Usually I pump them up/check them every couple of days.
05-03-05, 07:46 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,850
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
agree with Cap. If I ride every day, I check every other and always feel the tires before the ride for hardness. Park makes a decent floor pump in that price range...what I have and works pretty well.
George
George
05-03-05, 09:51 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Norway
Posts: 161
Bikes: Bros Sonic FS XT-LX hybrid w/Brooks Swift
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, guys/gals. It seems that I have been expecting too much then. Funny though, that my old bikes held the air somewhat better than this near-perfect machine. Oh well. Also thanks for the pump advice, but pumping is not a problem, as I park the bike next to my garage air compressor.
05-03-05, 09:56 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: central rio grande valley
Posts: 801
Bikes: 14 road, 1 SS, 2 MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I fill my tires before every ride.
That equates to about 5 times a week - no exceptions. Basic maintenance keeps your bike running well. Ignore and prepare to pay the price.
That equates to about 5 times a week - no exceptions. Basic maintenance keeps your bike running well. Ignore and prepare to pay the price.
05-03-05, 10:16 AM
#9
8speed DinoSORAs
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxford, UK or Mountain View, Ca
Posts: 2,749
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I check pressures every week on the bikes in current use (I have a couple of commuter road bikes). 700x23 tires kept at 120psi. Occasionally the pressure drops to just above 100psi over the interval between top-ups. This is fine for the tyres and setup I have and does not warrant any further attention to detail. For weekend (training/recreational) rides I usually make a point of checking pressures before heading out.
Cheers,
Ed
Cheers,
Ed
__________________
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
05-03-05, 10:24 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Memphis TN
Posts: 816
Bikes: Raleigh, Benotto, Schwinn, Trek
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I had read somewhere on the net, that virtually all inner tubes loose pressure over time. The article indicated that the density of the tube compound (rubbber or whatever) determined the leakage rate. Since the arrival of the very light and super light road tyre inner tubes, the problem of pressure loss is greater. I will admit to using generic inexpensive tubes. But, I have noticed that even the bike that I had on the trainer from November through March, had only lost 12psi.
05-03-05, 02:05 PM
#11
la vache fantôme
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 6,266
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I check it every ride, its so easy i figure why not. Plus im always adjusting pressure depending on my mood
__________________
C://dos
C://dos.run
run.dos.run
C://dos
C://dos.run
run.dos.run
05-03-05, 02:07 PM
#12
I drink your MILKSHAKE
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 15,061
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by phantomcow2
I check it every ride, its so easy I figure why not.
__________________
05-03-05, 05:11 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NY midstate
Posts: 394
Bikes: 85 Ross Mt Rainier(for winter road use), 86 Centurion Ironman Master, 92 trek 2300,2005 Iron Horse HollowPoint Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
road bike i must pump each ride.. but over the winter i used a modified mt bike set up for the road with fenders and studded tires... I also put in self sealing tubes when I put on the studded tires.. and I seldom have to fill them.. I can't beleive how long they hold air..
05-03-05, 10:18 PM
#15
Huachuca Rider
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 4,275
Bikes: Fuji CCR1, Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by biker7
agree with Cap. If I ride every day, I check every other and always feel the tires before the ride for hardness. Park makes a decent floor pump in that price range...what I have and works pretty well.
George
George
__________________
Just Peddlin' Around
Just Peddlin' Around
05-04-05, 07:24 AM
#17
No one carries the DogBoy
every ride.
05-04-05, 07:25 AM
#18
if x=byh then x+1=byn
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 3,442
Bikes: See signature
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by suntreader
Before every ride.
__________________
'00 TiSports Titanium - DA 9 speed------ '01 KHS Flite 800 - DA/Utegra 9 speed mix
‘02 Ellsworth Flight - Ultegra 10 speed -.'03 Basso Coral - Ultegra 10 speed
'03 Specialized Allez Pro - DA 10 speed .'04 Scattante CFR Limited - DA 9 speed
'05 KHS Flite 2000 - Ultegra 9 speed -... '06 Flyte SRS-3 - DA 9 speed-------
'05 Serotta Fierte - Utegra 10 speed--..-'07 Pedal Force RS - SRAM Force
'00 TiSports Titanium - DA 9 speed------ '01 KHS Flite 800 - DA/Utegra 9 speed mix
‘02 Ellsworth Flight - Ultegra 10 speed -.'03 Basso Coral - Ultegra 10 speed
'03 Specialized Allez Pro - DA 10 speed .'04 Scattante CFR Limited - DA 9 speed
'05 KHS Flite 2000 - Ultegra 9 speed -... '06 Flyte SRS-3 - DA 9 speed-------
'05 Serotta Fierte - Utegra 10 speed--..-'07 Pedal Force RS - SRAM Force
05-04-05, 07:30 AM
#19
cyclist/gearhead/cycli...
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DC / Maryland suburbs
Posts: 4,166
Bikes: Homebuilt tourer/commuter, modified-beyond-recognition 1990 Trek 1100, reasonably stock 2002-ish Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by 240GL
Thanks, guys/gals. It seems that I have been expecting too much then. Funny though, that my old bikes held the air somewhat better than this near-perfect machine. Oh well. Also thanks for the pump advice, but pumping is not a problem, as I park the bike next to my garage air compressor.
05-04-05, 11:11 AM
#20
Very Senior Member
Before EVERY ride - religiously.
__________________
It's better to cycle through life than to drive by it.
It's better to cycle through life than to drive by it.
05-04-05, 12:28 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Maplewood, NJ
Posts: 376
Bikes: EPX 303 (You probably never heard of it)
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ideally, you should top off tire pressure before every ride for optimal perfomance. It's not that hard. Just invest in a floor pump with a built-in pressure gauge. Make the tire-pump-up is part of your pre-ride ritual.
1. Check wheels for ture
2. Make sure brake quick release switches are in proper position
3. Make sure wheel quick releases are locked
4. Make sure computer can see wheel turning
5. Make sure you have adequate tire pressure.
6...........(You add to the list)
This way you get no suprises when you start to ride.
1. Check wheels for ture
2. Make sure brake quick release switches are in proper position
3. Make sure wheel quick releases are locked
4. Make sure computer can see wheel turning
5. Make sure you have adequate tire pressure.
6...........(You add to the list)
This way you get no suprises when you start to ride.
05-09-05, 03:23 PM
#25
is slower than you
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: WI
Posts: 1,486
Bikes: Gunnar Sport, Marin Pine Mountain, Gunnar Ruffian, Gunnar Roadie, BMC Fourstroke, Salsa Vaya
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
With my road bike, before every ride.
My mtn bike sees less use, so I check it every week or two (which actually happens to be...before every ride).
Typically a pump or two is all that's required if I check it every ride, but I just consider it part of the all-important pre-ride routine.
My mtn bike sees less use, so I check it every week or two (which actually happens to be...before every ride).
Typically a pump or two is all that's required if I check it every ride, but I just consider it part of the all-important pre-ride routine.
__________________
Proud supporter of the Chippewa Off-Road Bike Association (CORBA)
www.chippewaoffroad.org
Proud supporter of the Chippewa Off-Road Bike Association (CORBA)
www.chippewaoffroad.org