Ever notice how many bicycle tires are grossly underinflated?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 14
Bikes: 2011 Scott SUB 10, 1999 Univega mountain bike, 1990 Schwinn Crisscross, 1985 Murray Dirt Bike, 1979 Sears Special Longseat Cruiser, 1975 Toddler Tricycle.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ever notice how many bicycle tires are grossly underinflated?
Although I almost can't fathom the occurrence, I can still manage to sneak my hand and squeeze several unsuspecting tires, whilst trying to remain inconspicuous during this apparently creepy gesture, albeit, to an inanimate object.
I am not sure if commuter bikes at some racks have been abandoned for a while, but most of the tires are seriously underinflated, and, almost all are on MTBs, although a few road bike tires are not properly inflated, too.
This might be the result of inflating with a hand/mini pump, with which it is not easy to achieve high pressures. As a kid, I always used a floor pump, and while I never used a gauge, pinch flats never occurred, which meant that air pressure levels were closer to normal. Recently, when the floor pump went on the fritz, I briefly used a mini pump to inflate tires designed for about 70 psi. After much pumping and wrestling to stabilize the pump, I thought I must have reached the near proper pressure, satisfactorily "felt and squeezed" the tire, and stopped. Well, the first torn valve base and, later, the first pinch flat came.
When I attached a new floor pump with a gauge, I was surprised to see that I mounted 220 lbs and rode with only 20 psi per tire, about 75% less than optimal.
One might wonder how many riders experience pinch flats more than regularly, and just accept them. Or, unfortunately, how many become discouraged, and abandon bicycling due to a lack of knowledge, and because of ill-prepared/equipped bikes.
I am not sure if commuter bikes at some racks have been abandoned for a while, but most of the tires are seriously underinflated, and, almost all are on MTBs, although a few road bike tires are not properly inflated, too.
This might be the result of inflating with a hand/mini pump, with which it is not easy to achieve high pressures. As a kid, I always used a floor pump, and while I never used a gauge, pinch flats never occurred, which meant that air pressure levels were closer to normal. Recently, when the floor pump went on the fritz, I briefly used a mini pump to inflate tires designed for about 70 psi. After much pumping and wrestling to stabilize the pump, I thought I must have reached the near proper pressure, satisfactorily "felt and squeezed" the tire, and stopped. Well, the first torn valve base and, later, the first pinch flat came.
When I attached a new floor pump with a gauge, I was surprised to see that I mounted 220 lbs and rode with only 20 psi per tire, about 75% less than optimal.
One might wonder how many riders experience pinch flats more than regularly, and just accept them. Or, unfortunately, how many become discouraged, and abandon bicycling due to a lack of knowledge, and because of ill-prepared/equipped bikes.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 298
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Personally I believe that bicycles are coeval with people, and that by groping their rubber thus you are committing casual ****. It's no wonder they go limp at your approach; please desist.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 230
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Seriously though, I notice it all the time. I also notice how low people have their seats. BLURGH! Low seat and underinflation! They are making it MUCH harder for themselves. Then to see them on the wrong side of the road to boot! Ok, I better stop.
I will admit to riding on the wrong side at time for VERY SPECIFIC reasons. Like when I think I lost something on my commute so I try to find it on the way home.
#5
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
You don't need a floor pump to inflate your tires to high pressure. I use a mini pump and I never had a problem getting 90 psi into my tires. There are several good quality mini pumps that will work very well.I wonder why does OP sneak around and feel tires on other peoples bikes ??
#6
J3L 2404
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 1,075
Bikes: 2007 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm more worried about all the cars I see running on underinflated tires.
I would venture to say bikes with properly inflated tires are in the minority around here. Don't even get me started on the completely out-of-true bike wheels... I don't understand how anyone could stand riding more than 10 seconds on a bike that violently shudders with each wheel rotation.
I would venture to say bikes with properly inflated tires are in the minority around here. Don't even get me started on the completely out-of-true bike wheels... I don't understand how anyone could stand riding more than 10 seconds on a bike that violently shudders with each wheel rotation.
__________________
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 450
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
This thread has all of the prerequisites to become epic. Next thing you know, there's gonna be a news report on a new bike tire fondling craze
And I do sometimes notice others having almost flat tires, but I see it while they ride, rims almost running on the ground, and I have never fondled others riders bike tires
And if they don't mind that, why should I mind. I mean, it's they who have to push that much harder, not me. It does look a bit ridiculous, and gives an insight of who really cares about their bike, and who knows almost nothing about maintenance, though. But, anyway, it's none of my business to care how much pressure they have in their tires.
And I do sometimes notice others having almost flat tires, but I see it while they ride, rims almost running on the ground, and I have never fondled others riders bike tires
And if they don't mind that, why should I mind. I mean, it's they who have to push that much harder, not me. It does look a bit ridiculous, and gives an insight of who really cares about their bike, and who knows almost nothing about maintenance, though. But, anyway, it's none of my business to care how much pressure they have in their tires.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 8,896
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Like mine. My floor pump broke this morning while I was pumping up my rear tire for the commute. That caused a bunch of air to go out of the tire, so I had to drive. Really sucks.
You're right though. Most casual riders are on bikes with woefully underinflated tires. They probably get a lot of flats too.
You're right though. Most casual riders are on bikes with woefully underinflated tires. They probably get a lot of flats too.
#9
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I have come to believe that perhaps 1 in 100 people EVER checks their tire pressure on any vehicle. Bike tires just happen to have very little air volume in them anyway, so a month's worth of leakage means they're really low. I think all tires leak air a little. My car tires will go down about 1 or 2 PSI a month, though if it's getting warm (winter to summer) at the same time, the increase in temperature seems to make up the difference.
This is why cars all have tire pressure monitors now - because nobody can be bothered to check their tire pressure on their own.
I have a friend who has an ebike with a very nice controller computer that shows him how many watts he's pulling from the battery at any given time. He says that just a few PSI difference in tire pressure can increase draw on the battery by 10% - and the same thing goes for regular pedal power.
This is why cars all have tire pressure monitors now - because nobody can be bothered to check their tire pressure on their own.
I have a friend who has an ebike with a very nice controller computer that shows him how many watts he's pulling from the battery at any given time. He says that just a few PSI difference in tire pressure can increase draw on the battery by 10% - and the same thing goes for regular pedal power.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#10
I am a caffine girl
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,815
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Along with the under inflated tires, some of these folks don't carry spare tubes or patches. I would naturally think these folks are not commuting folks, but not so. Two of my coworker are commuter. One met up with me at the train station with a flat. Lucky he and I ride the sane train home. I offer him my patch and lever. My second worker comes to work on a low tire and pump it up at work. He is a year round commuter who does 15+ miles a day commute. He carries no spare tube, patch or pump. Nothing more than a brown bag lunch and a water bottle on a bike with a semi flat tires. I look out for this guy and do a quick check of his bike whenever I can for him. The last time I did that, his brakes were very loose and I had to tighten it up for him.
There are some stuff in life I will never understand.........
There are some stuff in life I will never understand.........
#11
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A friend of mine told me once a story: he was at Wallmart and there was a woman returning her bike, saying it's way too hard to ride. He noticed that the tires were nearly flat so he asked her if she tried pumping up the tires so it'd be easier to ride. She was like "What do you mean?!?"
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 2,053
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Last week my SO and my son both had flat tires. In fixing them I determined every bike in my garage except my road bikes had low tires. 25-50% of capacity.
I spent 15 min inflating 9 tires. One was a trail a bike.
I spent 15 min inflating 9 tires. One was a trail a bike.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Edgewater, CO
Posts: 3,213
Bikes: Tons
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
On this note, I have to pump up my SO's bike's tires otherwise she gets pinch flats. She's a space case and always forgets to check.
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 14
Bikes: 2011 Scott SUB 10, 1999 Univega mountain bike, 1990 Schwinn Crisscross, 1985 Murray Dirt Bike, 1979 Sears Special Longseat Cruiser, 1975 Toddler Tricycle.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You guys, and the gal Colleen, are hysterical with your comments! When I wrote the OP last night, I never expected all this to come out. Also, thank you for the insightful comments about seat height and wheel integrity -- all important.
So, Colleen, all in good jest, is it something of a fashion or minimalist trend for your second worker to arrive to work with an underinflated tire and pump it there? The way you described it, I could not stop laughing, and even more so as I continued to read your story. But it is very nice of you to look after his bike. I've done the same for someone's bike at work, and it made an unexpected difference.
I did not include in the original post, that during summer, once I arrive at the commuting destination, I immediately remove my shirt to cool, relax and dissipate perspiration. So, perhaps it is even creepier to see this shirtless, sweaty guy slightly bent over and feeling and grabbing tires. Indeed, the stuff to make an epic, or something unilaterally misunderstood.
#18
I am a caffine girl
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,815
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
So, Colleen, all in good jest, is it something of a fashion or minimalist trend for your second worker to arrive to work with an underinflated tire and pump it there? The way you described it, I could not stop laughing, and even more so as I continued to read your story. But it is very nice of you to look after his bike. I've done the same for someone's bike at work, and it made an unexpected difference.
That being said, I think I found part of my own misunderstanding of why some cyclist run on flat tire. Too broke to buy a pump perhaps?
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
I'm assuming there's a lot of people like my wife who think that a tire/tube in good condition shouldn't lose air. So once it's filled it should stay that way in their minds. No reason to check or top off.
I had an older brother who didn't drive and rode his bike everywhere back in the 70's. I was a kid at the time but I remember him constantly checking and filling his tires so I sort of grew up with the idea that bike tires need to be topped off regularly.
I had an older brother who didn't drive and rode his bike everywhere back in the 70's. I was a kid at the time but I remember him constantly checking and filling his tires so I sort of grew up with the idea that bike tires need to be topped off regularly.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elevation 666m Edmonton Canada
Posts: 2,474
Bikes: 2013 Custom SA5w / Rohloff Tourster
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1233 Post(s)
Liked 318 Times
in
245 Posts
I see lots of soft tires also. I think it has little to do with whether they have a pump. My best friend rode soft tires on purpose. They want a cushy ride. Both our fathers were car mechanics, and had little interest in fixing bikes. haha
#21
GATC
Fat tires are much more forgiving of low pressure. We have 2 bikes in the household w/ skinny tires that are susceptible to pinching, and they get attention.
My 9 yr old can ride on his bike w/ 1.5" tires that don't register on the pump's gauge and not even squish them down.
My 9 yr old can ride on his bike w/ 1.5" tires that don't register on the pump's gauge and not even squish them down.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,441
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4221 Post(s)
Liked 2,942 Times
in
1,801 Posts
I sometimes feel up the tires on the bikes on the rack in my apartment's garage, just so I can get an idea if I'm the only one riding my bike. I guess if people are running flat tires, maybe this isn't the best way to judge.
#23
Senior Member
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
But I check mine every other day or so, with a floor pump at home. Like the lady who returned her bike to Wal Mart because it was difficult to pedal, I learned pretty early on that the right amount of air in the tires makes the bike a lot easier. On a weekend ride, say 50 miles, it adds up. In fact, it wasn't until I spent a lot of time on a bike that I realized why proper air pressure gets you better mileage in a car.
I'm not mechanically inclined, and every now and then, I learn about something else I should have been doing all along, to maintain the bike. I'm not surprised a lot of people don't know they need to check the air in their tires. Still ... once you learn, it makes such a huge difference!