Tyre pressure wisdom

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N0bodyOfTheGoat

Über Member
Location
Hampshire, UK
I run upto 40 PSI in my 38c gravel tyres if that helps, including when 'loaded' for touring. 85 PSI in the 28c road tyres.

What system weight, you and bike all ready to head out? I suspect a lot lower than ~112Kg for me and my light ebike that very rarely rides anything worse than rough tarmac!
What tyre model?
Tubeless, latex tubes, TPU or butyl tubes?
 

Pat "5mph"

A kilogrammicaly challenged woman
Moderator
Location
Glasgow
I have Schwalbe, Green Marathon, recently fitted

I find the lowest pressure listed on the tyre (50 psi) really too hard.
Those are the tyres I have been using on my (heavy) bikes for years.
35/38 whatever I find cheaper, 35 at the moment on my commuter.
I run them at 70psi, the max is 85.
I am under 60Kg, the bikes are over 12Kg, plus the kitchen sink in the panniers :laugh:
Maybe your pressure gauge is incorrect?
I think 50psi is very low, should you run into a pothole you're guaranteed a puncture imo.
 
OP
OP
Gwylan

Gwylan

Guru
Location
All at sea⛵
Those are the tyres I have been using on my (heavy) bikes for years.
35/38 whatever I find cheaper, 35 at the moment on my commuter.
I run them at 70psi, the max is 85.
I am under 60Kg, the bikes are over 12Kg, plus the kitchen sink in the panniers :laugh:
Maybe your pressure gauge is incorrect?
I think 50psi is very low, should you run into a pothole you're guaranteed a puncture imo.

Never thought to doubt the gauge on the Makita pump. I'll see what the track pump says.
 

midlandsgrimpeur

Über Member
When I had a gravel bike I ran a 38mm Schwalbe one at 40psi and that always felt fine to me. I am around 56kg and the bike was around 9kg loaded up with bidons. Tyre pressure is really subjective though, I always think it best to just work on trial and error as to what feels best for a particular setup as it varies so much.

I would generally try and stick to manufacturer recommendations on max pressure though, 5% above here and there should be fine but if the max pressure is 50psi and you are loading it up to 70+ there could be some issues down the line.
 

T4tomo

Legendary Member
how wide are the tyres @Gwylan?

People are saying 50spi is very low, risk of pinch puncture etc, but if its a wide tyre then that is horlicks.
Ultimately though, Marathons are a quite hard ride.
 
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