vertlook

Hi, after my crash due to flat got a pair of new Vredestein Fortezza tires at supergo. The recommended pressure on the box is 165PSI. Is not it too high? What kind of tubes should I use? What would you inflate it to?
Thanks!

ovoleg

The tubes or the tires? You should follow the max PSI on the tires or the tube is going to push the tire out of the seat.

Most tubes can go pretty high, its based of the max tire pressure though. I would ride at max either, maybe 5-7psi below max(my preference)

Good luck

vertlook

Sorry, meant tires.

Warblade

Clinchers I'm assuming, that seems quite high for clinchers, check to see what the tire recommends again.

ovoleg

Thats pretty high...

Sorry, I haven't heard of anything along those lines. I would drop by the LBS and ask them which tubes support this PSI. I would assume that most should...

Eatadonut

The tires will hold at that pressure, though you might want to check if your rims will.

However, it's a little silly to pump them up that high, in most situations. You'd be just fine at ~110 like with any other tire.

I'm not aware of any pressure max for a tube, since it's nearly impossible for them to fail without a tire failure or a puncture.

Drayko

I've used Fortezzas and yeah, they do say max 165. I'd pump them based on you weigh though which would mean probably going much less than 165, probably around 100-130 depending on yourself and what characteristics you want.

hmai18

You'll get a better ride with lower pressures because the tire will be able to "deform" around road debris instead of bouncing straight off them.

Prosody

The pressure limit for these tires is really determined by the rims. Check with the manufacturer. I haven't seen clincher rims rated about 135 psi.

rickkko

You'll get less flats if you keep the pressure near spec. Fully inflated tires are so hard they become harder to penetrate.

Tires kept on soft side absorb more tiny crap. Granted they'll give you a more comfortable ride over the bigger stuff, sticks, expansion joints, etc. but unfortunately are penetrated too easily. That's my experience.

..rickko..

Paniolo

I've got those tires (23's) and I've been running the back at 115 and front at 95 and they have been working great. I weigh 195

Stubacca

vertlook: I doubt your rims will be rated fror 165psi - not many clincher rims are. In any case, the maximum pressure rating on the tyre shouldn't be mistaken for a suggested inflation pressure.

How heavy are you? Rider weight is one of the largest contributors to correct inflation pressure (along with personal preference). I used a set of Fortezzas for a while, and didn't see a need to inflate them higher than I would other tyres. FWIW, I'm 220lbs, and run Michelin Carbon 700x23s at 115F/125R, and run Fortezzas on the road at about the same.

On a really smooth surface with no debris (e.g. velodrome), maybe you'd take the Fortezzas closer to that maximum pressure!

Stubacca

Again, depends on the rider weight. For some riders, the 'spec' may be about the right pressure and help them get less flats. For others, it might be underinflated (pinch flats), and probably for the majority it will be overinflated (jittery ride, interrupted traction on poor surfaces, and more debris flats).

I've always found that a rock hard tyre is penetrated or damaged far more easily by sharp rocks, glass and other similar debris. Keep it at the correct inflation for your weight and conditons and it'll absorb a lot of this stuff without it damaging the tyre.

inkdwheels

i about 220 and i use fortezza's at around 130 PSI and they feel great. Mine actually say 175psi max on the tire.

vertlook

I am 175lbs. Is there any way to calculate what would be the right pressure for my weight?
Thanks!

slvoid

I have a pair I mounted on my rims briefly before I went back to my vittoria rubino pro slick's. The max rating's just a rating, most tires, given similar construction, will operate at a similar pressure, don't try to run them at 160+ psi.
Usually 130 will do.

Dchiefransom

I'm a lot heavier than you, but most people that I know in your weight range get a good ride and easy rolling at 105 psi.

531Aussie

I like high pressure more than anyone, but 165 is too high, espeically for the front. It will just bounce your front wheel around, slowing you down

alanbikehouston

If those tires are a "true" 23mm, the levels you are riding should provide good results. I weigh a bit less than you, so I ride a "true" 23mm at 90 PSI front and 100 PSI rear...the rough streets of Houston are a bit less painful when the tires can soak up a bit of the road shock.

By the way, a "true" 23mm tire is often stamped 25mm on the sidewall. Tire "hype" often involves advertising a high maximum PSI level and a light weight. The cheapest way for a tire company to make an ultra-light 25mm tire is to simply take an average weight 23mm tire and stamp it as "25mm".

redfooj

it's hard to pump it to 165, its not good for the rim, and the ride will be harsh.

i have the same tires

90->120psi works for me

sirshane13

165 psi is probably the max pressure, as many others have said. The max pressure is simply the absolute maximum spec by the tire manufacturer. It's like saying my car CAN go a certain speed, but it's definitely not suggested or recommended. Note that these numbers are significantly higher than anything that is reasonable (that should make us feel a bit better). But again as others have said, the rim ratings are considerably lower than 165 for most clinchers I've seen.

worker4youth

Don't tandem wheels go up to 200psi?

Geoff326

i have fortezzas and run them around 100-110

vertlook

Thank you all guys, I will probably start from somewhere 110/120 and see how it goes.
I appreciate your help.

roadwarrior

I run Fortezzas with Ksyrium SL rims and run them with 170 in them, no sweat. Love the ride, and, no, my front wheel does not bounce off the ground.
sheesh....