Tyre Pressures

[srj10]

Purchased a pressure gauge (Giant) today to take the guesswork out of pumping up my road bike tyres.On the sidewall it says max. pressure 120psi but after a lot of effort the gauge reads 80psi,the tyres are solid but should I :
1. continue pumping and devlop arms like popeye
2. stop as this is an acceptable pressure
3. return gauge as its faulty

 

[Herzog]

4. Buy a track pump.

 

[Ruary]

Get a track pump with an integrated gauge, I can't pump my tyres up to more than 95 psi with a hand pump and that it tough work, so I bought this for the garage
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=4949
and this which it GREAT for the bike
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11315
and have had no problems getting the pressures up since

 

[HLaB]

Buy a Track pump but 80psi may be enough for you although I run mine at 90-105psi. I doubt my topeak micro rocket gets me above 60psi but it enough on the road to get me home without any more p'tures, touch wood.

 

[MrB1obby]

I cannot believe some of you run 100Psi. I wouldn't of even thought that, I run mine at about 50!

Looks like I still have a LOT to learn.

 

[ianrauk]

I cannot believe some of you run 100Psi. I wouldn't of even thought that, I run mine at about 50!

Looks like I still have a LOT to learn.

Well it does depend on what PSI your tyres take.
It will tell you minimum and maximum psi on the side wall.

 

[TheDoctor]

50 psi would be about right for a mountain bike - 100+ psi is the reserve of road bikes.
As Ianrauk says - it's printed on the tyre.
And definately get a track pump. Best £20 investment ever!!

 

[MrB1obby]

50 psi would be about right for a mountain bike - 100+ psi is the reserve of road bikes.
As Ianrauk says - it's printed on the tyre.
And definately get a track pump. Best £20 investment ever!!

I've always put about 40 in a MTB, and then I thought an extra 10psi would be good enough for the road bike...I'll check on the sidewalls soon.

 

[PpPete]

Track pumps rated to 120 psi are hard work over 100 psi. If your tyres say 120 psi max on the sidewall I would get a pump rated to 160 psi max.
I have the older version of this one and it's quite easy to get to 115 psi /120 psi.
Lezyne road drive for on the bike use, not cheap, but much easier to get to around 100 psi than any other mini-pump I've ever tried.

 

[VamP]

The integrated gauges on track pumps are not the most accurate way to measure pressure INSIDE the actual tyre. What they actually measure is the pressure inside the bit of piping connecting the pump and the tyre valve. And not very accurately at that.

Fine for road bike use, as it's rarely critical whether you have 110 or 130 psi in the tyre. For off road use, and specifically for racing it's wholly inadequate.

 

[scouserinlondon]

My Bonti track pump was a wise investment and gets the tyres up to 120 psi which is rock hard for summer riding, I have them marginally softer in the winter.

 

[srj10]

Thanks for the replies,when I purchased my pump (Topeak) I considered a track pump but didn't think it would get much use and the one I did buy was well reviewed for it's ability to pump to 120psi easily, oh well looks like another purchase is on the cards.Does it ever end?!!

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

The integrated gauges on track pumps are not the most accurate way to measure pressure INSIDE the actual tyre. What they actually measure is the pressure inside the bit of piping connecting the pump and the tyre valve. And not very accurately at that.

Fine for road bike use, as it's rarely critical whether you have 110 or 130 psi in the tyre. For off road use, and specifically for racing it's wholly inadequate.

Where can you get a pressure gauges for Presta valves? I've only ever seen those for car tyres.

 

[srj10]

This is mine http://www.dalescycles.com/productdetails.asp?productid=50759

 

[VamP]

Where can you get a pressure gauges for Presta valves? I've only ever seen those for car tyres.

I use this one - it's very good.

http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...a=X&ei=Zz0VT-yZMZSQ8gOolbXlAw&ved=0CHMQ8wIwAg#