Tire Pressure
 

I just got a new bike yesterday. It's a Surly Steamroller. It came with Continental Contact tires in 700 x 32. The tire ratings are not posted anywhere on the tire. It looks like the reflective strip my be covering them up. Does anyone know what the pressure should be. (The website only says more pressure for larger rider but doesn't give pressure ratings, I weigh about 175)

I sure it's somewhere on the tire. REI has this.

70 X 32 is an excellent size tire - generally will roll super fast with a bit of pressure (like 85 psi or so), and also roll reasonably fast when run at lower pressures for maximum comfort and traction (like 50 - 60 psi).

You should experiment with what works for you and your riding style.

If I were a betting man, I'd put the max psi at 80 psi.

Jargo432, In my 32 mm tires I generally run between 65 PSI to 80 PSI, most often at 75 PSI. I weigh 180 lb. and I only used 80 PSI on the rear when it was heavily loaded. I don't know positively that pressure was absolutely needed, but is part of my range.

Brad

PS Some tires may show BAR along with, or instead of a PSI rating. One BAR is ~14.5 PSI.

My 27x1-1/4 (effectively a 700-32) I run in the 70-75 psi range. I agree with bradtx, anywhere in 65-80 is where they run the best.

I think I usually run 80 rear and 65 front on my rando bike with 32mm wide tires. That said, I am doing that on a bike that is not lugging around camping gear. I would run higher on my rear if I had camping gear loaded on back.

Click on City/Trekking and look for your exact tire. And select that.
Tyres

For example on this tire they say it is 70 to 85 psi.
continental bicycle CONTACT II

That said I have seen tires that have different pressures printed on them than a web site. Take another look at the tires, maybe with a flashlight so the raised print stands out higher. It might be listed in bars, not in psi.

You could try this online calculator, based on your choice of either a Michelin bike tire chart or the "15% tire drop" method.

Disclaimer: I developed the page, but it's just a web form implementation of existing tire-pressure charts in the form of a calculator

Continental say 70-85 psi.

Thanks every body. I found a spot where it is posted, however the reflective strip IS covering it up. I rubbed it down and could just read 85. Thanks again

Excellent and thank you. :thumb:

:foo:

https://janheine.wordpress.com/2015/...re-revolution/

Sometimes a flashlight beam pointed parallel to the side of the tire can reveal the raised letters. Or smearing some dirt (if you're into that kind of thing) along the strip can enhance readability.