Waxbytes

I was just wondering what size and pressure we all run our tires at?

I use 700c X 25 mm Specialized All Condition Pros at 110 PSI in both front and rear.
I wonder if I might find 100 PSI more comfortable without causing increased rolling resistance?

highlyselassie

Try it. You've got to ride the bike, so I'd say you're the best judge on any changes, good or bad.

Waxbytes

I am trying it. I just wondered what other people do.

bmike

I run Continental GP 4 Seasons. 110 PSI rear, 100 front. Seems to make a comfort difference.
Can't wait for my new frame. Going to run 28's - probably at 95.

TomM

On my road bikes, I have always inflated the tires to max pressure. So depending on the tire, the pressure could be 110 through 140PSI. I have never thought about using a lower pressure.

Hal Hardy

Conti Ultra 2000- 28 @ 110, Conti TT- 37 @ 85, and Conti TT- 47 @ 60. I was surprised to find that based on my coast-down tests, the 47 has the least rolling resistance of the lot. I'm thinking that with decent quality tires, matching the tire and pressure to the bike's gross weight, riding style, and even the type of bike is the key. It seems to be more art than science.

Cadillac

I run the max recommended pressure (usually 110-120 psi) depending on the brand of tire.
It seems to me that there is absolutely no comfort advantage in setting the pressure to 100 psi if it recommends 110 psi
The only comfort advantage would be if the pressure were about half the recommended max (e.g., 60 psi).
Doing that would wear out the tire prematurely and slow you down.

late

Hi,
you want enough pressure so that the tire doesn't snake bite, and keeps it's shape when you are just rolling along. If you want a detailed explanation, Sheldon Brown (one of cycling's gurus) has one on his website. It depends a lot on how much you weigh. When you find his article, it will also explain the disadvantages of adding more pressure than you need to.

Machka 

I ride Conti 1000s, 700x25, and I run them anywhere between 90 and 100 psi.

There's really no point to going any higher than that, especially if you're a relatively light rider. A higher tire pressure won't reduce rolling resistance ... or if it does, it won't reduce it significantly enough that you'd notice. But a lower tire pressure (within reason, of course) will give you a softer, more comfortable ride, and can help reduce the chances of getting flats.


Incidentally, if you are riding in sandy or icy conditions, significantly reducing your tire pressure can provide you with increased traction. I've ridden through several winters in Manitoba on my mtn bike. In the summer I kept those tires (26x2) around 50 psi ... in the winter I dropped them to about 30 psi.

Rowan

Conti Ultra GatorSkins, 700 x 28C, at 80psi. Raised the eyebrows of someone the other day when I mentioned it. My butt has warned me several times when I have tried to trade comfort for speed on 1000 and 1200 rides. The warning was that my speed was going to drop way off later in the event because of butt discomfort, and that the trade-off of comfort throughout the event just wasn't worth it.

trmcgeehan

Several years ago, I was experiencing a large number of rear tire flats. I have a Fuji touring bike, that takes 85 psi, and I was running around 50-60 (too lazy to pump them up). I got a number of pinch flats (two little cuts, like a snake bite), so I started inflating to 95 psi. Haven't had one since. Over inflating produces a hard ride, but it does cut down on flats.

spokenword

In the summer, I normally run 700x32 Pasela T-Servs at 90 PSI. Like Rowan mentioned, it's comfort over speed for me. Last summer, I ran with a pair of 700x28s Bontrager Race Lites, took them out on a three day tour, and by the time I got home, my hands and butt were pretty sore and beaten up. Took 'em off and haven't put them on the bike since.

In the winter I switch to a 700x37 Conti TT up front and a 700x37 Conti Travel Contact on my rear wheel to deal with snow, salt and sand debris. Both are inflated to 70 PSI.

ronsmithjunior

On my road bike I have 700x28 Gatorskins inflated to 120 psi. At 210 lbs the tires, specially the rear on climbs, will feel squishy otherwise. If I was lighter, I'd definitely go down to 100 psi or so.

Waxbytes

It seems that tire pressure is a very personal other than everyone wants to keep the pressure above where flats happen. I notice I am running narrower tires than everyone. My Sequoia can handle wider tires so when it's time to replace rubber I will try a 28mm.

landrover4

Yeah, try them at 100 instead of 110 and let us know. Tight as snare drums is how i run them, 115 or 120.

landrover4

sounds good to me

rm -rf

Like some other posters, I'm riding 100 front and 110 rear. Seems like a good compromise.

Waxbytes

I dropped the pressure down to 100psi in both tires and have ridden a couple of hundred miles since on my familiar routes. I feel slightly more comfortable, but I could just be feeling what I expect to feel, the placebo effect. I haven't noticed any increase in rolling resistance and my average speed is the same as measured by my cyclocomputer.

BUT I do save two strokes of the floor pump when airing up!!!

Polonswim

Vittoria Rubino Pro slicks. 195 lbs. I was running them at 110, but they felt mushy and slow. I upped the pressure to 120 and am VERY happy with the ride.

trmcgeehan

With five bikes, I bought an air compressor at Lowes for around $60. Man, this thing really saves work! You have to be careful you don't overinflate, but I have had no problems.

chipcom 

Conti TT 2000 and Contacts, all 700x32 at 80lbs. Serfas Drifters, 26x1.9 at 65lbs

Richard Cranium

Why not try 90psi? If you actually want a more comfortable ride, use larger tires if your bicycle will allow it.

dlavi

Panaracer Pasela Tourguard 700 x 32 at 85 psi

Bekologist

pasela T-serv for messenger 700x35c @90 PSI, Conti travel contact 700x37c @90 PSI as well.

Taut and Fat.

papawizo

It seemed to go against what I have always believed but I rode a very tough and long ride recently with a very rough road. I put on ruffy tuffy 28C tires and started at 90 but reduced pressure on the way. With the tire being so large (by my standard) there is some room to play with on pressure. A real different ride is found with the use of variable pressures depending on the road conditions. It didn't seem to significantly slow me up.
John