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Old 05-16-10 | 09:50 PM
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New bike commuter

Hi everyone!
I have a Pulse by Kettler Men's Tivoli Comfort Bike. It's a 21speed with full fenders and 2 26in by 2.0 tires. I'm a big guy about 280lbs. I have a question about the psi on my tires. The side of my tires say the max psi is 55, but I'm worried it's not enough for a guy like me should I buy new tires? Or will the max of 55 psi be ok?I only ride about 3 miles to a park and ride and take the bus to work from there. If there is any other XL riders out there it will be great to hear from ya or any knowledge rider that can help thanks
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Old 05-17-10 | 12:36 AM
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I'm not as big a guy as you, and I put the psi of mine up to 60 or 65. When I started regularly commuting earlier this year, I was 200 lbs. Right now, I'm 185. I haven't lowered my psi at all, since I like the way the bike rolls with the higher psi. I do have a few 700C bikes, and when I ride them, I put the psi at 110~120.

Whether or not you should add more air to yours depends on:
A. do the tires look low when inflated to 55psi?
B. do you ride on relatively smooth surfaces?
C. Most importantly, can the wheels handle it? (will the tire beads pop off the rims, will the tubes find some little nook or cranny to escape out of and burst -- don't scoff... all of these things have happened to me at one time or another over the years that I've been cycling)
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Old 05-17-10 | 05:37 AM
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If I were you I'd ask this question in the Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) forum. Aside from that, I'd follow the manufacturer's psi recommendation.
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Old 05-17-10 | 06:34 AM
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55 is enough for 2" tires.
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Old 05-17-10 | 12:28 PM
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Read from HERE you might find some help

I think it might be under Width and Pressure, and maybe below that.


I think if you stay at your recommended PSI you should be fine, But I don't actually know, just make sure to keep your tire pressure checked often, tires loss pressure faster then people think
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Old 05-17-10 | 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by scroca
If I were you I'd ask this question in the Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) forum. Aside from that, I'd follow the manufacturer's psi recommendation.
This. This is not really a commuting specific question, but it is a weight-specific one.
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Old 05-17-10 | 06:04 PM
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I was trying to target fat commuters with the question that why I posted in the commuter forums. Anyway I'll try to get the question in the right forum.
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