Under pressure

[paul04]

I got my road bike in august last year, and just got a cheap bike pump (£5) to keep the tyres inflated. And I like most as a test just squeezed the tyre and thought it was ok.

Well after a puncture last week, and with some good advice on here I got some new tyres and a track pump (with tyre gauge)
I inflated the tyres with the cheap bike pump, then checked the pressure with the new track pump. it was on 30psi so for months I have been riding the bike on 30 psi.
with the track pump I inflated the tyres to 100 psi, I have now tested the bike out over the last few days

What a difference it has made,
Before my overall average speed was 13,1mph and now 14,6mph
on 5 strava segments I have improved my times (one segment by 10 seconds)
and got 1 king of the mountain (was behind the leader by 3 seconds)
So anyone starting out on a bike, invest in a good pump (preferably with a pressure gauge)

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

So anyone starting out on a bike, invest in a good pump (preferably with a pressure gauge)

Good piece of advice. It's very hard to tell what 100psi should feel like as opposed to what it does feel like.

 

[Steve Lancashire]

sounds very familiar this one, we've all done it to start with. But as you say, £5.00 for a cheap bike pump riding around with under inflated tyres, versus a good pump with gauge, it's a false economy.

 

[Biker Joe]

Wow! I bet you got a surprise. Now cycling is even more fun.
Good story. Maybe someone will learn from it.
Happy riding.

 

[Chescadence]

30psi...ouchy! Riding and sand springs to mind...

Enjoy the renewed love of cycling now your tires are correctly inflated

 

[Peteaud]

I am all for good value, but, cheap sometimes means poor quality and then you spend to get what you should have bought in the 1st place.