Bicycle tire pressure?

[DVad3r]

Hey,

Just to make sure I am not retarded, the bicycle tire sidewall says 50-75 psi, is that normal? What should I pump it to?

 

[gaidensensei]

Yeah. You pump it up to the recommended PSI to prevent possibility of popping your tube by however you bike. Don't go to the maximum or higher than that, it will pop obviously.

Depends on what tire you have mainly. 50-75 psi sounds like a 700cc tube, or something from a road bike generally speaking.

You have more legroom to work with on 26" and mountain bike tubes.

Also I recommend sheldonbrown.com, it got me started with great info.

 

[Dirigible]

Pump it up to between 50 and 75.

Optimum tire pressure depends on a lot of variables, but for tooling around on somethin like a hybrid you don't need to worry much. If you start getting pinch flats pump it higher than you had been. Check pressure and add air if necessary regularly.

 

[Blackjack200]

I have a mountain bike with 65 psi tires. Not sure why it's so high, I think mountain bikes are usually in the 45-55 range. Road bikes should be like 80-90. I had a road bike with tubular tires once that was supposed to be pumped to 100-120 psi. I had to get a special pump for that, you felt every piece of gravel, but man was it ever awesome on smooth pavement.

 

[MiniDoom]

yeah, go to recommended pressure, not max. road bike tires are usually 100-115psi. tubulars go even higher. 65-70 should be fine for yours.
sheldon was the man!

 

[DVad3r]

Hmm thx for the replies guys.

Another question:

If the bike was ridden around under inflated for a long period of time, I'm talking 2 years, always under minimum PSI, would that cause the tire to wear or be in danger of popping faster?

 

[thedarkwolf]

What are you riding on? The road you want as much air pressure as you can get. Off road you want as little air pressure as you can get away with without pinching your tube between the rim and rocks. I run 25-30psi in mine off road.

 

[Dirigible]

Hmm thx for the replies guys.

Another question:

If the bike was ridden around under inflated for a long period of time, I'm talking 2 years, always under minimum PSI, would that cause the tire to wear or be in danger of popping faster?

Inspect the tire. If it looks fine ride it. If you see cracking or areas that seem to be particularly worn, especially in the sidewall where there shouldn't be wear, replace it. If you're worried replace it. Tires are pretty cheap.

 

[gaidensensei]

^ what he said. Just take it off and inspect it visually for cracks. When you bike under the PSI you possibly risk pinch flats.

General wear and tear on the tire looks like this, biking on lower psi can accelerate the wear quicker.
http://veloduo.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/019.jpg

Pinch flats usually occur due to being underinflated, the tube pops out and "pinches" against the rim, causing a puncture somewhere along the way.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3465253056_e2388d60d2.jpg

 

[Dirigible]

It's the tube that would pop, by the way. This would happen if there was a hole in the tire or the tire bead comes off the rim enough to allow the tube to overexpand and pop. So if the tire holds the tube in place you are good.

 

[eldorado99]

Must always inflate to sidewall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I can't believe no one said this yet...

 

[FleshLight]

That looks like a typical mtb pressure. Tubular road bike tyres can go up to 130 psi.

 

[Kalmah]

Must always inflate to sidewall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I can't believe no one said this yet...

I came in here expecting this to be the first post. :\

 

[DVad3r]

The bike is a regular kind of hybrid bike, tires aren't exactly road bike tires although they are thicker.

Anyways, the full story is:

My moms been riding this bike around for the past 2-3 years and I suspect she never kept the tires at minimum psi, I'm guessing they were always at 30 or so.

I took the bike out of the garage yesterday because I was feeling like taking a spin, and when I got on I noticed the tires were almost flat. I said to myself "wtf, she rides around like this?" and proceeded to pump the tires. I got them to 60 psi and then rode for a bit.

Today my mom takes the bike out to go to the grocery store, and on her way there the rear tire pops. She's blaming me for "over inflating the tires".

Is she in the wrong here?

Btw this bike is ridden by her exclusively and all of it is done on the street/sidewalks.

 

[SunnyD]

I came in here expecting this to be the first post. :\

This. :sneaky:

 

[Dirigible]

Lol. You can't win this one.

60 psi should have been fine an I wouldve pumped it that high without reservation. Things happen and stuff can be out of spec - I've seen a tire not be able to stay in place on the rim even at really low pressures.

If it were me I'd just replace or repair, let my mom ride around on flat tires, and keep my big mouth shut. Being right doesn't matter some times.

 

[gaidensensei]

Ahh now the blame game begins :sneaky:

ATOT, your turn to shine.

 

[Blackjack200]

The bike is a regular kind of hybrid bike, tires aren't exactly road bike tires although they are thicker.

Anyways, the full story is:

My moms been riding this bike around for the past 2-3 years and I suspect she never kept the tires at minimum psi, I'm guessing they were always at 30 or so.

I took the bike out of the garage yesterday because I was feeling like taking a spin, and when I got on I noticed the tires were almost flat. I said to myself "wtf, she rides around like this?" and proceeded to pump the tires. I got them to 60 psi and then rode for a bit.

Today my mom takes the bike out to go to the grocery store, and on her way there the rear tire pops. She's blaming me for "over inflating the tires".

Is she in the wrong here?

Btw this bike is ridden by her exclusively and all of it is done on the street/sidewalks.

It's no-one's fault. Flats happen on bikes. You need to either be able to fix it or be prepared to walk the bike home. It's just part of riding a bike.

 

[DVad3r]

^ Lol I know that dude, but my moms furious!

 

[gaidensensei]

Just explain that you were trying to fix it so that it could be better for her, but didn't take into account that the tubes are old.

Elasticity wears out over time, 2 years of general use is enough for that imo.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Just explain that you were trying to fix it so that it could be better for her, but didn't take into account that the tubes are old.

Elasticity wears out over time, 2 years of general use is enough for that imo.

Correct, inner tubes can lose their elasticity and develop leaks in a very short matter of time.

 

[Zedtom]

I saw a guy inflating his bike tire at a gas station and actually popped the tube. It sounded like a firecracker and he looked like he had just stepped on a rattlesnake.

 

[darkxshade]

I inflate to 115psi per the recommendation before my ride. I ride a road bike... the psi usually drops to 90-100ish after each trip which vary between 40-70miles.

 

[mugs]

The bike is a regular kind of hybrid bike, tires aren't exactly road bike tires although they are thicker.

Anyways, the full story is:

My moms been riding this bike around for the past 2-3 years and I suspect she never kept the tires at minimum psi, I'm guessing they were always at 30 or so.

I took the bike out of the garage yesterday because I was feeling like taking a spin, and when I got on I noticed the tires were almost flat. I said to myself "wtf, she rides around like this?" and proceeded to pump the tires. I got them to 60 psi and then rode for a bit.

Today my mom takes the bike out to go to the grocery store, and on her way there the rear tire pops. She's blaming me for "over inflating the tires".

Is she in the wrong here?

Btw this bike is ridden by her exclusively and all of it is done on the street/sidewalks.

What do you mean "the tire popped"? Do you mean the tube popped, or the actual tire got a hole in it? If it's just the tube, buy her a new one. It's not worth arguing over a few bucks.

I suppose the tube (or tire) could have been weakened by years of being ridden with inadequate pressure, but then it would have been her fault that it popped anyway.

Tubes aren't expected to last forever.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yeah. You pump it up to the recommended PSI to prevent possibility of popping your tube by however you bike. Don't go to the maximum or higher than that, it will pop obviously.

Depends on what tire you have mainly. 50-75 psi sounds like a 700cc tube, or something from a road bike generally speaking.

You have more legroom to work with on 26" and mountain bike tubes.

Also I recommend sheldonbrown.com, it got me started with great info.

No, road bike tires are generally between 90-100 psi.

50-75 psi sounds like mtb tire pressures to me. If you're riding off road I'd go with a little less pressure for better traction. Just don't go too low or you risk pinch flats.

Get a pump with a gauge on it and check your tire pressures before each ride. Also, carry a spare tube and a pump and some tire levers (unless you're certain you can get the tire off and on the rim with your bare hands).