ncherry

I just purchased a set of high pressure tires (up to 160 psi). I want to put them on a set of Mavic Aksium rims. What I want to know is what is the maximum pressure the rim can handle? I've read that it may be 140 psi but there is a lot of misinformation so I need to be sure.

Thanks

Camilo

look on the Mavic website, there's technical info on all their wheels.

capwater

You should be fine, but why the heck do you want to run 160? I run 120 and they are rock hard.

Spinz

The Mavic Aksiums are rated to max pressure of 135 psi. Clearly printed on the liner inside of each rim. Lp

ncherry

I have looked and I find nothing about the Aksium's max pressure. Is it in some hidden section?

ncherry

I don't remember seeing it there but I wasn't looking. After Saturday's ride (131 miles) I'll pull off the current tires and take a look. I don't want to make such a major change before such a long ride.

ncherry

Efficiency, I'll be doing a 208 mile ride and anything that can make the ride use a little less energy (or make me go faster ) is worth trying out (they were $20 each, cheap).

maddmaxx 

It is not a given that that much pressure improves your efficiency or even speed. Energy spent bouncing you bike up and down comes at the expense of forward velocity. In addition, as mountain bikers have found out with full suspension bikes, a well rested (not bounced, shaken or stirred) rider has more energy at the end of a long ride.

I'm guessing that you would be better off with a pressure much lower than 160.


edit: try this article for some info https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in...p/t-27368.html

capwater

Total boosheet. Go surf up tire pressure on the Zipp website (or even use the search function of this fine forum). I roll at 120lbs and that is even considered on the higher end of normal. Aside from the extra bouncing around around, you actually increase rolling resistance.

https://www.zipp.com/Support/AskJosh/...4/Default.aspx

Camilo

That's an erroneous assumption. Look on the sheldonbrown website - he's got excellent information on tire pressure and why correct pressure for weight and tire size is optimal, and why too much pressure can actually increase rolling resistance. Think in terms of the tire ramming against every little surface imperfection (especially chip seal) then having to bounce up and over it, instead of flexing and rolling right through. More jarring, more wasted motion. Of course, a lot depends on the smoothness of road conditions, but there's a sweet spot between too much pressure and not enough and it's based on weight and tire size.

ncherry

Interesting, I'll check that out, thanks

ncherry

I decided to listen to everyone and found the max PSI on the rim strip (yes it's 131 PSI). I'm currently using the tires pumped to 130 pounds. They ride wonderfully! They roll better than I expected and they aren't as hard as was suggested they might be. I haven't pumped them up to 160 and I don't think I ever will. I tested them out on a double metric and found that I do feel the smaller cracks on the road but chip seal and potholes are no worse than usual. I found car eating craters in Lebanon State Forest on Mt. Misery Rd. I now know why it's called Mt. Misery. Though the Mt. part escapes me as it flat even for a South NJ road.

Thanks for the help!