How often do you check tire pressure?
 

Got my new bike this February, a Bros hybrid with an XT/LX mix. I love the bike, but what I don't love is that I have to refill my tires every second week, as they will have lost around 10 PSI during this period (down from the recommended 70 PSI). Is this normal/acceptable? My old and multi-patched tubes of unknown make held the air much better, so maybe I'm spoiled. Tires are Continental SportContact 37-622 (700x37C), but I wouldn't know what brand of tubes I got. Comments appreciated.
Erling.

I pump mine up around once a week.

10 psi pressure loss in 2 weeks doesn't seem particularly abnormal or unacceptable to me.

Just get a decent floor pump designed specifically for bikes (Joe Blow or similar). They are worth every penny or whatever you use in Norway. A couple of pumps and you will be ready to go again.

I find myself pumping mine up every 2-3 days. I have Hutchinson 700x23's that run at 120psi. They usually drop down to about 90 psi on about the third day.

I do mine before I ride which is 2 to 3 times a week. If I drive to the start point, I inflate them there to accomodate temperature differences. Not a big deal with a good pump.

Al

Joe Blow Sport pump can be had for $25 - $30 and has a nice gauge. Usually I pump them up/check them every couple of days.

agree with Cap. If I ride every day, I check every other and always feel the tires before the ride for hardness. Park makes a decent floor pump in that price range...what I have and works pretty well.
George

Thanks, guys/gals. It seems that I have been expecting too much then. Funny though, that my old bikes held the air somewhat better than this near-perfect machine. Oh well. Also thanks for the pump advice, but pumping is not a problem, as I park the bike next to my garage air compressor.

I fill my tires before every ride.

That equates to about 5 times a week - no exceptions. Basic maintenance keeps your bike running well. Ignore and prepare to pay the price.

I check pressures every week on the bikes in current use (I have a couple of commuter road bikes). 700x23 tires kept at 120psi. Occasionally the pressure drops to just above 100psi over the interval between top-ups. This is fine for the tyres and setup I have and does not warrant any further attention to detail. For weekend (training/recreational) rides I usually make a point of checking pressures before heading out.

Cheers,

Ed

I had read somewhere on the net, that virtually all inner tubes loose pressure over time. The article indicated that the density of the tube compound (rubbber or whatever) determined the leakage rate. Since the arrival of the very light and super light road tyre inner tubes, the problem of pressure loss is greater. I will admit to using generic inexpensive tubes. But, I have noticed that even the bike that I had on the trainer from November through March, had only lost 12psi.

I check it every ride, its so easy i figure why not. Plus im always adjusting pressure depending on my mood

road bike i must pump each ride.. but over the winter i used a modified mt bike set up for the road with fenders and studded tires... I also put in self sealing tubes when I put on the studded tires.. and I seldom have to fill them.. I can't beleive how long they hold air..

When they feel low. That's about it.

Koffee

Ditto.

Before every ride.

every ride.

Me too.

Perhaps your old tubes were thicker and held air better? You could probably find tubes that held air a little better, but probably at the expense of weight.

Before EVERY ride - religiously.

Ideally, you should top off tire pressure before every ride for optimal perfomance. It's not that hard. Just invest in a floor pump with a built-in pressure gauge. Make the tire-pump-up is part of your pre-ride ritual.

1. Check wheels for ture
2. Make sure brake quick release switches are in proper position
3. Make sure wheel quick releases are locked
4. Make sure computer can see wheel turning
5. Make sure you have adequate tire pressure.
6...........(You add to the list)

This way you get no suprises when you start to ride.

Check and pump them before every ride. You don't want to ride half a mile and realize your bike tires need more air then ride back to do it.

By finger pressure every ride. With a gauge every week.

Before every ride

With my road bike, before every ride.

My mtn bike sees less use, so I check it every week or two (which actually happens to be...before every ride).

Typically a pump or two is all that's required if I check it every ride, but I just consider it part of the all-important pre-ride routine.