Tyre Advice

[Loueese]

Oh, I have dumbbells and a barbell... But life's too short now! I could probably increase my strength if I worked out every day for a couple of weeks but would lose it if I stopped for a week... I can lift the bike off the ground to get it up and down the stairs but I have my limits I'm a weed, I know

I think the fitted 'Giant' tyre is intended for on-road use as the bike is really for urban use https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/alight-3-disc

I'm just back from the bike shop and picked up a mini pump with gauge . I asked the sales guy and he pointed to a similar Giant s-x2 tyre which also had on it min 50 max 75psi on the tyre rim. I fell in then that it's probably on my tyre also. Checked when I got home and it does indeed say 50-75psi. I needed my glasses and a torch to see it! Now that I know it's there and the range, and have the gauge, I have something to play with. Next time I go out on the bike I'll try it at ~65psi and see if it feels better - fingers crossed!

 

[vickster]

given your low weight, I'd drop to 55

 

[Loueese]

given your low weight, I'd drop to 55

Let's go for 60!

 

[Dogtrousers]

Let's go for 60!

All you need is a pump with a gauge now

 

[Alex321]

All you need is a pump with a gauge now

See post #46

 

[T4tomo]

Let's go for 60!

have you checked what you are currently running them at?

 

[Dogtrousers]

See post #46

Ooops.

 

[Loueese]

Well I had a quick go with the new pump - says it's a 'twist lock'. However, I couldn't get it to register any pressure?? I must be doing something wrong, d'uh. Of course, I undid the Presta nut, engaged the pump, twisted 90 deg so the meter was visible, and... nothing! Surely it should show the current pressure? A slight touch on the top of the valve releases air. Any ideas??

 

[ColinJ]

Well I had a quick go with the new pump - says it's a 'twist lock'. However, I couldn't get it to register any pressure?? I must be doing something wrong, d'uh. Of course, I undid the Presta nut, engaged the pump, twisted 90 deg so the meter was visible, and... nothing! Surely it should show the current pressure? A slight touch on the top of the valve releases air. Any ideas??

It shows the pressure that you are pumping IN, not the pressure that is already there! If you think about it, the valve closes again as soon as you stop pumping.

The pump will indicate what you pump in!

If you listen carefully as you are pumping you can hear the valve open as you exceed the pressure in the tyre and at that point, the gauge will correctly show the pressure.

 

[Loueese]

It shows the pressure that you are pumping IN, not the pressure that is already there! If you think about it, the valve closes again as soon as you stop pumping.

The pump will indicate what you pump in!

If you listen carefully as you are pumping you can hear the valve open as you exceed the pressure in the tyre and at that point, the gauge will correctly show the pressure.

That's not good So I can't just check what the current pressure is? That would mean I'd have to deflate the tyre in order to pump it back up to the required pressure?

 

[Dogtrousers]

That's not good So I can't just check what the current pressure is? That would mean I'd have to deflate the tyre in order to pump it back up to the required pressure?

Well, yes and no. One or two pumps of the handle is enough to get a reading. It doesn't deflate the tyre.

 

[Loueese]

Well, yes and no. One or two pumps of the handle is enough to get a reading. It doesn't deflate the tyre.

Hmm... I did try some pumps but didn't get a sensible or obvious reading. I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[Loueese]

Still not getting anywhere There is pressure at the pump end if I put my finger over the hole. I've tried both the HP and the HV setting. I'm wondering if it's just that I'm not strong enough
It's one of these, by the way: https://www.cube.eu/en/equipment/parts/air-pumps/product/rfr-pump-hpa-all-in-one-black/
I'm thinking of maybe letting a lot of air out but I don't want to find myself with a flat tyre and not able to inflate it!

Louise

 

[vickster]

Are you pressing in the valve to let a little air out before attaching the pump.
For home use a track pump is far better than those little ones which can be hard to attach and pump
Something like this https://www.cube.eu/en/equipment/parts/air-pumps/product/acid-floor-pump-race-floor-black/ (many other brands and options available)

 

[ColinJ]

That little pump does look like it might be quite hard work if you don't have strong arms.

A mini track pump LIKE THIS would be better for you because you can use your body weight on the handle rather than relying on arm strength.