Sldrvr

I was wondering what is an acceptable range when it comes to tire pressure, ride and tire max. My tires say a max pressure of 130psi. I am 235lbs and running 115 to help with the ride, is this too low and will it damage my tire or is the range of pressure much lower then I am running? Thanks!

Black wallnut 

There are far too many variables to offer a good answer. What type of bike? What tire size? What surfaces?

On my road bike with 23 or 24mm tires I run 90-110 psi depending on if I'm training, event riding, or racing. With 25-28 I go max of 90 psi unless I'm on a trainer and then I bump it up to 95-100. For CX with 32-33 mm tires I am anywhere between 35 and 70 psi.

As far as lowest limit, if that is what you are asking, 2psi above where you pinch flat with medium bumps.........

Sldrvr

Black walnut, sorry its a carbon frame road bike with 700X 25mm tires. Riding strictly on paved roads for workouts not racing.

Black wallnut 

If the ride is comfortable and you are not getting pinch flats then you are right where you should be. You can always go with higher pressure, your ride may or may not suffer. JMHO

nfmisso

+1

pdlamb

You might even try knocking the pressure down by about 5 psi at a time until you either get pinch flats or notice the bike seems slower or slightly squirrelly.

ChuckD6421 

Fwiw, I'm about that weight also, riding a Trek Domane on my home-built tubular wheels.
I ride Veloflex Roubaixs exclusively (excellent rural roads so they last a long time) which are around 25mm.
I had been riding 120 psi till I started reading about recent revelations on lowering tire pressures to increase efficiency and speed.
After trying my usual familiar roads with various pressures down to 90psi, I decided 120 to 125 was best for me. At the lower end they definitely started to feel a bit too cushy and my average speeds suffered. Back up to 120 and the bike came back to life.

bulldog1935

Start with the Berto chart and adjust as needed.
Berto is pretty good, though. A long survey thread on iBoB found 95% of riders running within 5% of these values. People outside of that range reported handling problems.


Problem Solvers | Optimal Bike Tire Pressure

https://janheine.wordpress.com/2016/...ure-take-home/

I use the lowest pressure that will accomplish 3 things - protect the rim from shock, prevent "squishy" handling, maintain lateral stability at high speed.
I also get optimum tire life by optimizing low pressure.
On 27mm Vittoria Open Pave tires, I doubled rear tire life by gradually reducing rear tire pressure from 105 psi to 90 psi.
after finding your set pressure for dry pavement, dial down to find even lower optimal pressures for wet pavement, and gravel/trail.

fietsbob

Super thin [1" or less] tires have to be pumped up hard Because the Volume is small ...

you can run a little lower PSI with a Higher volume tire ..

Numbers? Read the Side wall imprint.

bulldog1935

Just because the tire can hold the pressure doesn't mean you need it. Forget what it's rated and use the Berto chart for your starting point.
this thing is never on

ChuckD6421 

That's true. It should be remembered that all this talk of lowering tire pressure goes hand-in-hand with using wider tires. And knowing how to ride them "lightly".

bulldog1935

Berto chart has a curve for any size tire you may want to ride.
Yes, it's always smart to fit the largest tire your frame will take.
But just because the tire says rated 120 psi doesn't mean you need it.