Originally Posted by bvancouv
You're right, now I know. But still, they didn't say anything about it- all they had to do was say "remember to inflate them to 80".
Are hookless rims unusual these days?
Is it safe to ride tires that are inflated less than the rated pressure? (road bike) Newbie questions.
Sorry if I sounded uncharitable. The shop did the right thing but you have a good point that they should have told you why.
Hookbead rims are almost universal on any decent quality bike these days and hookless rims are pretty much limited to much older rims. My 1985 Bridgestone also had 27" wheels but had hookbead rims.
Yes, it's safe to ride on tires inflated below the maximum sidewall pressure. The only possible problem with serious underinflation is the possibility of "pinch flats" i.e. double punctures that occur if the tire hits a pothole, etc. hard enough to push it against the rim. The tube is trapped between the tire and rim and sustains two close together punctures. For obvious reasons these are also called "snakebite" flats. Unless you are very heavy or using tires smaller than 27x1" 80 psi should be enough.