Tires Small
Proper Tire Pressure Tires are rated by their respective manufacturers for a given PSI often with a recommended and a maximum range. For the purposes of this, we’ll be touching on the maximum PSI rating only.
The maximum PSI rating of a tire does not suggest that one PSI more will result in the tire blowing off the rim. It does however, indicates the strength of the bead and also builds in a buffer for pump gauge variance and rider weight.
In recent years we’ve seen many cyclists push for higher PSI tires thinking that the more pressure means a faster bike. In a fashion they are correct – the greater the PSI the less tire is in contact with the ground which translates to less rolling resistance. However, less tire on the ground also means reduced cornering and braking performance, and reduced comfort. You could argue that being comfortable on the bike might be equal to, if not more important then, the small change in rolling resistance and lets be clear we are talking SMALL.
Where the rubber hits the road
For the average rider it’s pretty much whatever PSI they feel comfortable riding at. A rider at 170lbs can choose to run 80 or 90 PSI but also go up to 130 on a tire rated at 120 PSI. The risk is minimal that something will happen – however that’s not to say it’s not there. It’s just reduced. As the 170lbs rider goes from 80 to 130 PSI they reduce the amount of contact the tire has on the road which will decrease breaking and cornering performance while increasing, slightly, their speed.
For light riders who are at or above the maximum PSI there can been undesirable riding characteristics. Most noticeable will be comfort. The same tire that the 170lbs rider put a little bulge in will stand tall for a light rider of 130lbs and not give to imperfections in the road. In this situation ride quality and brake/cornering performance are reduced. Reducing the PSI so the tire has a slight bulge while ridden will increase comfort and performance.
It becomes a balancing act for those of us at or above the 200lbs range or those wishing to run higher PSI then rated. It is a personal call. There are no hard and fast rules to follow. Going beyond the manufacturer’s rating moves you into uncharted waters. One could view the maximum PSI as 100% but even if you believe the tire can be run at 120% the breaking point is unknown. Tire size and rider weight are not the only factors to gauge maximum PSI. That said some heavier riders have the need to run at or slightly above the maximum PSI to reduce pinch flats. See avoiding flats for more on pinch flats.
Something to consider
When you inflate your tire the PSI on the pump gauge does not include your weight. With a rider on the bike the PSI goes up and even spikes when riding. Bumps, pot holes, change in altitude, heat and the occasional bunny hop cause changes in the PSI. One of these in isolation is not likely to cause a problem, but when pushing the limits on the bead they all become factors of failure to consider when inflating your tires over the maximum PSI.
We Keep You Cycling recommends you run at or below the maximum PSI rating for your tire.
About the Author:
The Author is owner of We Keep You Cycling, they have the products that keep you riding, from continental grand prix 4000 to Michelin Pro 3 Race tires.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Proper Tire Pressure
|
|
Mini Buggy Cars (Pack of 4) $75.49 Take in some off-road action with the Mini Buggy CarsElectric RC Cars have small rubber knobby tires in the rear that offer great traction on almost any terrainRemote control cars are small enough to fit on the palm of your hand |
|
|
The Big Book of Small Business $19.59 For small business owners, Gegax, now a consultant, describes how to grow a business using the knowledge he learned as cofounder and chairman of Tires Plus. He explains how being an “enlightened entrepreneur” can positively affect business outcomes and… |
|
|
Stone Soup $6.92 It’s been a long and hard war, and three soldiers are making their way back home. Tired and hungry, the soldiers come across a small village, but the residents there, worried that the soldiers will seize all their food, claim to have no provisions… |
|
|
Ordinary Victories (Paperback) $11.84 This is the story of Marc, a tired photographer, of a very patient chick he meets, and of his pain-in-the-neck cat. It`s the story of his art thrown against heavy anxiety attacks; of a really cute woman in his small town who seems to take to him agains… |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 6860305 $350.5 Pro Comp Tires 6860305 6860305 LT305/60R18 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 55031 $162.27 Pro Comp Tires 55031 55031 31X10.50R15 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 30035 $457.87 Pro Comp Tires 30035 30035 XTERRAIN 35/13.50R20 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 57285 $240.95 Pro Comp Tires 57285 57285 LT285/70R17 EXTREME AT |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 36040 $422.98 Pro Comp Tires 36040 36040 XTERRAIN 40/13.50R16 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 561285 $203.57 Pro Comp Tires 561285 561285 LT285/75R16 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 30037 $533.02 Pro Comp Tires 30037 30037 XTERRAIN 37/13.50R20 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 50035 $432.55 Pro Comp Tires 50035 50035 XTREMEAT 35/13.50R20 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 500305 $336.24 Pro Comp Tires 500305 500305 33X12.50X20 AT |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 65031 $196.82 Pro Comp Tires 65031 65031 31X10.50R15 XTREME MT |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 501235 $384.91 Pro Comp Tires 501235 501235 35X12.50XR20 XTRME ALLTER |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 1027560 $224.44 Pro Comp Tires 1027560 1027560 275/60R20 RADIAL ALL TER |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 57305 $262.85 Pro Comp Tires 57305 57305 PRO COMP XTREME 305/65R17 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 1027555 $229.01 Pro Comp Tires 1027555 1027555 275/55R20 RADIAL ALL TER |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 15030 $141.74 Pro Comp Tires 15030 15030 A/T 30/9.50 R15 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 1865275 $289.24 Pro Comp Tires 1865275 1865275 275/65R18 ALL TERRN 10PLY |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 65033 $233.74 Pro Comp Tires 65033 65033 33X12.50R15 XTREME MT |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 26305 $261.32 Pro Comp Tires 26305 26305 M/T 305/70 R16 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 35031 $179.95 Pro Comp Tires 35031 35031 X/T 31/10.50 R15 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 38033 $333.12 Pro Comp Tires 38033 38033 X/T 33/13.50R18 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 67315 $292.27 Pro Comp Tires 67315 67315 LT315/70R17 XTREME MT |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 26315 $279.67 Pro Comp Tires 26315 26315 M/T 315/75 R16 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 1828560 $222.25 Pro Comp Tires 1828560 1828560 285/60R18 RADIAL ALL TER |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 25030 $166.78 Pro Comp Tires 25030 25030 M/T 30/9.50 R15 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 17285 $248.9 Pro Comp Tires 17285 17285 285/70R17 ALLTERRAIN 8PLY |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 15032 $172.38 Pro Comp Tires 15032 15032 A/T 32/11.50 R15 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 160235 $177.14 Pro Comp Tires 160235 160235 A/T 235/85 R16 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 16533 $210.31 Pro Comp Tires 16533 16533 A/T 33/12.5 R16.5 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 15031 $147.52 Pro Comp Tires 15031 15031 A/T 31/10.50 R15 |
|
|
Pro Comp Tires 601235 $427.6 Pro Comp Tires 601235 601235 35X12.50R20 XTREME MT |
Email this post
Tags: shopping, Tires, tool, tools, winter tires smaller, winter tires smaller size, work