Originally Posted by
Mr. Beanz
Seriously?
...Part of the reason I inflate my tires beofre every ride. This also tells you if you have an upcoming problem. If Saturday's infation was to 120 and Sunday morning your tires are at 80, there's a problem, maybe a slow leak that's going to get you on the road.
You should also get a gauge to check the tires. I use one to compare/ calibrate floor pump gauges since they are known to be inaccurate. Aftra few times, you get to know the pump gauge, but it's good to have an accurate hand gauge anyways.
Crazy...
I'll fill my tubes when they're looking low, and I"ll check out the pressure once a week, but at those intervals, and checking with a pencil-style gauge, I never lose more than 3-5 lbs a week, no matter which valve I use. Do you have the Prestas completely screwed closed? Are you sure the cores are in there very tight? Are you using the plastic valve caps? All three of those things will keep me pressure-loss free for months at a time. I honestly don't remember the last time I filled the 26X1-3/8 tires on my Raleigh, but I just checked them and they're still at about 60 lbs (I inflate them to 65). It's probably been 2 months, and those are Schraders.
The Prestas on my commuter are rarely checked, and those check out at about a 5 lb drop a month.