When to pump?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When to pump?
Search is down, so forgive me if this topic has already been covered. I ride every day. Should I pump my tires before each ride? Is every second or third day just as fine?
#2
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I check before every ride.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 490
Bikes: '05 Bianchi Eros; '06 Bianchi Pista
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Whenever they need it (i.e., if your tires go up to 120 p.s.i. and they're at 100 p.s.i., you might want to give 'em a little shot).
Don't ride with grossly under-inflated tires. Flats, rim damage, etc...Just use common sense.
Don't ride with grossly under-inflated tires. Flats, rim damage, etc...Just use common sense.
#6
S.D.M.F.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MN Chapter
Posts: 584
Bikes: Scott Speedster S1, Research Dynamics MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm anal so I check my tires most every ride. In reality every few days is probably fine.
#7
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
329 Posts
Whenever your tires feel squishy to the touch, pump them up.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#8
Banned.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Woodstock
Posts: 5,761
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Machka
Whenever your tires feel squishy to the touch, pump them up.
#10
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
329 Posts
Originally Posted by timmyquest
Or when they drop below...in my case, 110psi. Is it that hard to check before you hop on?
And yes, a squeeze will tell me if I'm down around 70 psi or so.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#12
34x25 FTW!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,013
Bikes: Kona Jake, Scott CR1, Dahon SpeedPro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I give 'em a pump almost every ride. Why ride at sub-optimal pressure unless you're in a huge hurry?
#13
Go Pre!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 251
Bikes: Trek 1500
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
every couple of days for me. If I'm pressed for time I'll just skip it. I never go more than 2-3 rides without doing it.
#14
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,340
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 987 Post(s)
Liked 1,186 Times
in
681 Posts
Originally Posted by massimo
When you say "check" do you mean squeeze the tire? I don't think I could tell the difference between 118psi and 120psi.
For me, if I'm going on a short ride the day after I had pumped the tires, I'll just use the thumb check. Most other times I just pump them up to 120 like I prefer.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#15
Senior Member?
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,977
Bikes: orbea onix, Cervelo SLC, Specialzed Allez, Cervelo P3 Alu
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
squeeze em before every ride.... pump them up regardless every 2 or 3 rides.
The thing about checking pressure is that my only gauge is on my pump, and it takes a noticeable amount of air to fill the hose. This means that by the time i've checked the pressure, the tires are already a few PSI lower than they would have been otherwise....
The thing about checking pressure is that my only gauge is on my pump, and it takes a noticeable amount of air to fill the hose. This means that by the time i've checked the pressure, the tires are already a few PSI lower than they would have been otherwise....
#16
your god hates me
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,580
Bikes: 2016 Richard Sachs, 2010 Carl Strong, 2006 Cannondale Synapse
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1233 Post(s)
Liked 1,241 Times
in
689 Posts
I never "check" my tires, I just automatically pump them before every ride. The thing is, I pump them THE NIGHT BEFORE every ride. This way, if it turns out I have a flat -- or, if in the course of my diligent pumping routine I manage to instigate a flat -- I've still got 8 or 12 hours to hunt around for a new tube or patch or tire and repair it before the ride.
#17
Infamous Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I pump up the road bike before every ride. For the commuter(s), I pump them up the night before and just give em a squeeze in the morning and after work.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 103
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
IME, once per ~48 hours is enough on regular butyl tubes
if you are using regular, non-latex (i.e. butyl), good quality tubes (such as Michelin Ultralight? Vittoria?) and using 700*23C or 700*25C tyres and this is for training and commuting, as opposed to racing, then I pump once in 48 hours. Always check (squeeze) before you ride. On wider tyres such as 700*28C and wider I think you can leave it even longer, I suspect.
IME, I pump them on the night before I ride to ~105psi (7bar) and they are good for next 2 days. If I ride on the third/fourth day then I pump them again but often they feel just as hard on 3rd day so this is more precaution, I feel.
Latex tubes tend to leak air by design so I suggest you avoid them.
IME, I pump them on the night before I ride to ~105psi (7bar) and they are good for next 2 days. If I ride on the third/fourth day then I pump them again but often they feel just as hard on 3rd day so this is more precaution, I feel.
Latex tubes tend to leak air by design so I suggest you avoid them.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 351
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bob Ross
The thing is, I pump them THE NIGHT BEFORE every ride. This way, if it turns out I have a flat -- or, if in the course of my diligent pumping routine I manage to instigate a flat -- I've still got 8 or 12 hours to hunt around for a new tube or patch or tire and repair it before the ride.
#20
Should be out Riding
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 1,902
Bikes: Bob Jackson Vigorelli
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
When you are climbing that hill and keep looking at your tires thinking "are my tires flat?" They probably need it. lol
#21
Patria O Muerte!
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Jerusalem,Israel
Posts: 315
Bikes: Pinarello road bike, Marin Kentfield city bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by oboeguy
I give 'em a pump almost every ride. Why ride at sub-optimal pressure unless you're in a huge hurry?
Then again, the higher rolling resistance of an under-inflated tire will slow you down, so it makes sense to pump them up ESPECIALLY if you are in a huge hurry
OP - every couple of days is fine, in your case. I, personally, check before every ride, but that's only because i don't ride every day. Give them a squeeze-if they feel firm, your fine. Air pressure doesn't drop that fast. I say - twice a week.
#22
You blink and it's gone.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dundas, Ontario
Posts: 4,436
Bikes: Race bike, training bike, go fast bike and a trainer slave.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I pump mine every 2nd ride if the rides are on consecutive days....Basically I pump every 2nd day. I find that my tires have only lost about 10psi when I go pump them up. I figure that since I weigh only 140lbs, and I start with the tires at 110psi, that I'm ok with them being in the 100psi range.
#24
Making a kilometer blurry
I pump up to pressure twice a week, and never check pressure beyond just pinching.
#25
SpIn SpIn SuGaR!
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,078
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
is it really that difficult to check your tires before every ride? especially considering the number of incidents that people post here every day, that may have been avoidable if they did a quick check of their bike before the ride...
before every ride + 1000...
before every ride + 1000...