Another urge to grab a stranger's tire
 

I whilst ago, whilst waiting in queue to board a commuter train, I had the urge to reach down and feel a stranger's rear MTB tire for proper air pressure. I was almost sure it contained less than the higher range of pressure that decreases rolling resistance and augments momentum.

A few nights ago at work, I could not resist, and casually grabbed and squeezed several front and rear tires of bikes locked on the racks. It's perplexing that quite a few tires were almost flat, as if these unknown co-workers had won the lottery and abandoned their jobs, and single track machines, or, decided to drive after a discouraging, under-inflated ride to work misrepresented the capability and joy of the machine. Another brick in the horizontal wall.

Here is a link to a previous Bike Forums link about air pressure, with some humor:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-underinflated

Thank you

I did a rainy mountain bike ride a few weeks back with the 2.4" tubeless running at 15 PSI front and 20 back.

Just sayin'.

Just be careful, some people may not like you squeezing their bikes :D

Be careful who's bike your feeling up,you might wake up with a sore head.

As long as you don't start sniffing saddles, I think we're all okay with it. Right, people? :innocent:

This makes me consider doing vigilante tire pumping.

Sometimes I walk to work, and whenever I do, I see several several riding by on low inflation. One lady I see quite frequently has a painful looking tire (it's practically on the rim) and terrible chain squeal. I have seriously considered bringing my repair kit one day when I walk and flagging her down. Nothing fancy, just a pump up and some chain lube, and she'd probably cut her effort by 80%.

But then I remember that I don't actually have time, since I'd have to walk at the same time as usual to catch her, which barely gets me to work on time.

I was encouraged by Copenhagen's bike parking enforcement. They'll inflate your tires and oil your chain while moving you to a legal parking spot. How great is that? I figure if it was me, I'd park illegally once or twice a month in the hopes of getting a free tuneup.

I was going to suggest the same thing.

Do you think the owners would notice?

I dont grab tires, I caress them.

I wait until that time of day when the moon and sun linger in the air, sharing the sky, and a golden autumn hue lays upon the world. I then slowly remove some Armor All Tire Shine from my pannier and rub it softly into my hands. Taking one knee, I lovingly massage it into every inch, every tread of the tire. I then make my way to the side walls toward the valve stem, holding my breath with exhilarated anticipation.

Oh yes, I take my time. Savoring every moment for as long as possible.

Or until the bike's owner comes out screaming at me whilst I make my speedy escape.

I've seen tires that looks low but not dare feel them in fear the owner will blame me for releasing the air out of their tire. :(

Probably not a good idea to touch someone else's bike... but in addition to being tempted to inflate tires, I've longed to stop people and raise their saddles an inch or six, as well as tell them that "YOU HAVE 18 GEARS! YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ALL YOUR PEDALLING (grinding and heaving) IN THE SMALLEST COG AND THE MIDDLE CHAINRING!"
This morning I passed a young fellow again, this time walking his multi-geared "mountain" bike up a small slope to the overpass bridge on the MUP. There is no way that someone that age should have to do that, or get repeatedly passed by a woman old enough to be his mother.

I never use oil/chainlube on my chains!!!
I use the hot parafin wax method. No chain tattoos and a silent running chain!
As for my tires . . . keepa ya hands offa!!!

a lot of mountain bike riders prefer low air in the tires to get better traction over rocks and roots. How this works out for them on their commute to work? i dont know

The following is only for the older folks...

Mr. Whipple, Please don’t squeeze the Charmin!

I am always tempted to stop people and do maintenance. I have resisted so far, which is good (I think most people riding poorly maintained mountain bikes in New York would not appreciate it).

Sometimes it is just painful to watch someone roll down the road with their knees never extending and their big, knobby tires nearly flat against the road. And you have no idea how much I want to lube squeaky chains that go by. Such minor adjustment and maintenance would make riding so much easier. Of course, I have been turned down from helping people with flat tires, so I guess it mostly isn't the type of good will that would go very far.

This seems off-topic, but suffice it to say that a bike's needs in Tucson are not the same as a bike's needs in Seattle. Hot paraffin may be cleaner than a commercial dry lube, but it is still not useful in wet weather. The important thing, though, is that you do know that you need to lubricate.

EEEWWWWW i remember a kid in high school getting caught doing that soo gross.

Any ways I came behind another rider yesterday and informed him his tire was getting very low, then i offered him my pump which he very graciously accepted. Good deed done.

I'll let you squeeze mine if you'll let me squeeze yours.

get a room, eh!

I don't squeeze other people's tires, but I have repaired flats on bikes that were clearly abandoned in mid-commute with a flat tire. I wonder what the owners think when they return to fix their flat and find that the bike is ready to go.

LOL

Anyhow, I'm not sure why anyone would want to check other peoples' tire pressures. If it's low, are you pump it up for them or something?

It slows things down a bit. It's not huge.

Most of the slow-down comes from running MTB tires on the road to begin with. But even that is hardly a reason for angst.

We're talking a 25 min ride instead of 20.

thumping them for tone works just as well and quicker.

I've heard about you !

Our Hero !

Done it.