Tyre Pressure

[martint235]

Having scared the living daylights out of people on the FNRttC to Whitstable when Lelly's rear tyre blew while it was parked up at breakfast, I'm starting to reconsider running my tyres at high pressure. I currently run Durano Plus at their max (145psi). I don't really have a problem with comfort, 150 - 200 miles doesn't seem to cause any issues. However am I likely to notice a difference in performance if I drop down to say 130 or even 120?

 

[Gary E]

Try it, see how you get on.
I must say 145psi seems very high. Remember that the max pressure marked on the tyre isn't a recommended pressure, it's just the pressure beyond which the tyre is likely to deform/swell. Running at the max pressure leaves no room for error (or expansion on hot days) and is likely to reduce the life of the tyre.
For what it's worth I run at 110 rear and 100 front and get on fine.
I too used to run at the max marked pressure but after having 2 tyres 'swell' on me (basically they had a permanent bulge in one place, presumably where the cords had started to give) I had a re-think

 

[martint235]

Cheers. Will give it a go.

 

[ianrauk]

Try it, see how you get on.
I must say 145psi seems very high. Remember that the max pressure marked on the tyre isn't a recommended pressure, it's just the pressure beyond which the tyre is likely to deform/swell. Running at the max pressure leaves no room for error (or expansion on hot days) and is likely to reduce the life of the tyre.
For what it's worth I run at 110 rear and 100 front and get on fine.
I too used to run at the max marked pressure but after having 2 tyres 'swell' on me (basically they had a permanent bulge in one place, presumably where the cords had started to give) I had a re-think

He needs 145 as he's a great big northern oaf!

 

[Andrew_P]

must admit that I was going to post similar my track pump at work is not that accurate at PSI and I have been running at 100-110 and the bike is silent ramp it up to 120 and it starts to rattle over lumps and bumps. How low before pinch punctures start? I just want a quiet bike!

 

[ianrauk]

Looking at this PDF from Schwalbes website (page 31). It says that for an average 75kg rider 23's at 115psi, for every kilo over that add 1%.

 

[HLaB]

Seriously doubt you'll notice any difference Martin, you need a perfectly smooth road to gain any benefit from high pressure I believe and I don't know of any in the UK. Dropping too low may risk pinch p'tures for a big rider but dropping to 120psi thats unlikely; and with pinches I find riding style (not braking sharply, transferring weight over a pothole etc) is more effective in avoiding them anyway.

 

[martint235]

Hmm, using the pdf data, I should be running my tyres at 143psi before factoring in any luggage . I'll try them at 130 on Friday/Sat (200 miles) and see how I get on.

 

[ColinJ]

He needs 145 as he's a great big northern oaf!

I'm a great big (adopted) northern oaf and I run my 23C tyres at 90-100 PSI. Tyres are not supposed to be rock-hard, they are supposed to offer a simple form of suspension - that's what they were invented for!