A23 wheels and 700x32 tire pressure?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio
Bikes: Jamis
A23 wheels and 700x32 tire pressure?
Just got a new wheelset, the Velocity A23.
I was running a skinnier rim - Mavic open pro with 700x32 tires.
These would easily pump to recommended 95 psi.
With these new rims, 80 psi seems too much.
Anyone else runs these rims with wider tires?
Thinking I might be ok with 60-70 psi.
I am 210 lbs.
I was running a skinnier rim - Mavic open pro with 700x32 tires.
These would easily pump to recommended 95 psi.
With these new rims, 80 psi seems too much.
Anyone else runs these rims with wider tires?
Thinking I might be ok with 60-70 psi.
I am 210 lbs.
#3
A lot of people are believers in the 15% tire drop theory, which is supposed to give you the best mix of speed, comfort, prolonged tire life, and good handling (contact with the road).
Using the pressure calculator, which is derived from the above, and punching in 210 lbs on a 40%/60% front/back weight distribution gives you about 48 PSI in the front tire and 74 PSI in the back tire.
I've heard that 40/60 is more appropriate for road bikes, and a lot of commuting bikes are closer to 35/65. If you have such a bike, the math suggests that you run about 42 PSI in front and 80 PSI in back.
If you regularly commute with significant loads (bags full of stuff, heavy clothes, etc), then your riding weight will rise accordingly, and suggests a tiny bit more air pressure. And if your routes include lots of rough holes, potholes, curbs, etc., then you may want to consider running a little more in the front tire for extra resistance against pinch flats.
Using the pressure calculator, which is derived from the above, and punching in 210 lbs on a 40%/60% front/back weight distribution gives you about 48 PSI in the front tire and 74 PSI in the back tire.
I've heard that 40/60 is more appropriate for road bikes, and a lot of commuting bikes are closer to 35/65. If you have such a bike, the math suggests that you run about 42 PSI in front and 80 PSI in back.
If you regularly commute with significant loads (bags full of stuff, heavy clothes, etc), then your riding weight will rise accordingly, and suggests a tiny bit more air pressure. And if your routes include lots of rough holes, potholes, curbs, etc., then you may want to consider running a little more in the front tire for extra resistance against pinch flats.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,373
Likes: 8
From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
I have similarly wide rims (Sun CR18, 22.5mm) and roll 32mm Panaracer Urban Max tires. I'm also 210-ish, and I keep 80psi front and rear. When I use Pasela TG, I'm comfortable dropping to 75psi rear and 70psi front for a slightly more supple ride.
Even with the larger tire volume, you can still risk a pinch flat if you go too low and slam into some of the construction gaps and chuckholes we've got around here (I'm assuming the Bellevue in your location is Washington; and if it is, whereabouts d'ya live?)
Even with the larger tire volume, you can still risk a pinch flat if you go too low and slam into some of the construction gaps and chuckholes we've got around here (I'm assuming the Bellevue in your location is Washington; and if it is, whereabouts d'ya live?)
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
#5
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 16
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
I'm 173 lbs. On my bike with A23s, I run my 25mm Conti 4-Seasons at 60F/70R. I've found that a couple of PSI either way doesn't change much.
No matter the rim/tire combination, I start with the chart at PSI Rx and adjust and experiment from there.
No matter the rim/tire combination, I start with the chart at PSI Rx and adjust and experiment from there.
#6
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio
Bikes: Jamis
(I'm assuming the Bellevue in your location is Washington; and if it is, whereabouts d'ya live?)
Sadly, I just moved to San Antonio TX after 7 years in Bellevue. Lived just off Richards Rd.
Liking San Antonio, but its hard to beat the northwest.
Sadly, I just moved to San Antonio TX after 7 years in Bellevue. Lived just off Richards Rd.
Liking San Antonio, but its hard to beat the northwest.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I've got Velocity Dyad rims on my touring bike, which are about the same width as the A23s. I was running 700x28 Conti 4 Seasons on those wheels but recently switched to Vittoria Randonneur Hyper 32s. The Contis I would pump to 95 psi rear and 85 front. The Vittorias are much wider and cushier riding, and I've been pumping them to about 80-85 rear and 70 front. Still experimenting with pressures on Vittorias because I haven't had them very long and could probably run them at 70 rear and 60 front.
#8
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,643
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Just got a new wheelset, the Velocity A23.
I was running a skinnier rim - Mavic open pro with 700x32 tires.
These would easily pump to recommended 95 psi.
With these new rims, 80 psi seems too much.
Anyone else runs these rims with wider tires?
Thinking I might be ok with 60-70 psi.
I am 210 lbs.
I was running a skinnier rim - Mavic open pro with 700x32 tires.
These would easily pump to recommended 95 psi.
With these new rims, 80 psi seems too much.
Anyone else runs these rims with wider tires?
Thinking I might be ok with 60-70 psi.
I am 210 lbs.

But with wider rims, the sidewalls are more vertical, so you can get away with a little less pressure without drastically increasing your chance of pinch flats.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jarrett2
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
33
10-16-14 09:12 PM
vol
General Cycling Discussion
33
05-25-13 04:17 PM
vermilionx
Road Cycling
4
08-04-12 10:47 AM






