Tire Pressure
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 277
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From: North Texas
Bikes: Surly Disc Trucker, Ogre, Steamroller
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)
#2
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
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From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
I sure it's somewhere on the tire. REI has this.
#3
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.
You should experiment with what works for you and your riding style.
#5
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Pearland, Texas
Bikes: Cannondale, Trek, Raleigh, Santana
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.
Brad
PS Some tires may show BAR along with, or instead of a PSI rating. One BAR is ~14.5 PSI.
Last edited by bradtx; 01-20-17 at 07:42 AM. Reason: PS
#7
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From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
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.
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.
#8
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From: Southern California
Bikes: Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Deluxe, Giant Stance, Cannondale Synapse, Diamondback 8sp IGH, 1989 Merckx
#9
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
Disclaimer: I developed the page, but it's just a web form implementation of existing tire-pressure charts in the form of a calculator
#10
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Portland, Oregon
Bikes: Cannondale Topstone gravel bike Dahon MU folder w/2x8 speed internal drive train
Continental say 70-85 psi.
#11
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2014
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From: North Texas
Bikes: Surly Disc Trucker, Ogre, Steamroller
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
#12
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From: US
#13
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From: New England
Bikes: Brompton M6R, Specialized Tricross Comp, Ellsworth Isis, Dahon Speed P8
#14
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From: Carolina
Bikes: ICE Sprint X Tour FS 26 trike
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.







