Tire Pressure
04-05-10 | 04:32 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
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Bikes: Cannondale R600
Tire Pressure
New to serious riding if that makes sense 
1. I purchased a bike pump with a psi gauge (never used psi just went by feel). When I started inflating my bike I noticed that at 50 psi the tire felt very full even more than I usually do by feel. When I road, the tire felt full as well. So, is the psi gauge incorrect or is it common to put so much pressure in the bike? I feel like the tire will burst at any second if I keep pumping.
Thanks for the help.
1. I purchased a bike pump with a psi gauge (never used psi just went by feel). When I started inflating my bike I noticed that at 50 psi the tire felt very full even more than I usually do by feel. When I road, the tire felt full as well. So, is the psi gauge incorrect or is it common to put so much pressure in the bike? I feel like the tire will burst at any second if I keep pumping.
Thanks for the help.
04-05-10 | 05:01 PM
#4
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From: Nova Scotia
04-05-10 | 05:18 PM
#5
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From: Oxnard, CA
Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX
Get a regular tire gauge (one rated for high enough PSI - the regular automotive ones won't cut it), pump your tires to where you feel they should be (50 PSI on the bike pump gauge is fine) then use the tire gauge which will tell you if the pump gauge is correct.
04-05-10 | 05:22 PM
#6
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Once it gets over 50-60 psi, I can't dent it with my thumb, so it could be 75 or 145 psi. There's a big difference.
04-06-10 | 11:44 AM
#7
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Dallas
Bikes: 03 Raleigh Professional (steel)
- What size are your tires?
- You imply that you're trying to pump up to a certain pressure. What is it?
- How heavy are you?
New Posters - please READ THIS
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04-06-10 | 12:08 PM
#8
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
yes, a tire will feel very firm well before reaching it's MAX pressure. funny, huh?
the correct pressure is on the sidewall
the correct pressure is on the sidewall
04-06-10 | 12:10 PM
#9
Elitist Troglodyte
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Dallas
Bikes: 03 Raleigh Professional (steel)
No it's not. The MAXIMUM pressure is on the sidewall. It's usually better to use less.
__________________
Stupidity got us into this mess - why can't it get us out?
- Will Rogers
Stupidity got us into this mess - why can't it get us out?
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04-06-10 | 12:13 PM
#10
I have senior moments...
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Woodside, CA
Bikes: Many
Might want to read this https://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#pressure
04-06-10 | 12:14 PM
#11
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From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
If you look up the tires using google, you will likely find the min-max range. half way between works well. Ignore your feelings! Use data.
