Psa: Check your tire pressure right now!

vpetkar

vpetkar

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You've probably heard it hundreds of times before but check your tire pressure. Don't say you'll do it before your next ride, because if you're like me you'll likely forget about it. Do it right now.

I recently found out that my tires were 10-12psi lower than the recommended pressure and I've been riding on those for a couple weeks now. Go on your manufacturers website and check what the recommended tire pressure is for the weight you'll be carrying (bike + rider + equipment) and use a bicycle pump with a gauge to fill up your tires.

I bought a digital gauge from Canadian Tire for $5 for accuracy and I recommend you do so as well.

Correct tire pressure makes a whole world of difference!

Some helpful links for understanding tire maintenance:


Ride save everybody.

P.S. If you've ridden for a while on the wrong tire pressure, make sure you check your treads for uneven wear and other abnormalities The tire guides posted above should help.
 
I'll do it when I get home :P

But wow, wouldn't you be able to see the difference with 10-12psi lower than recommended?
 
vpetkar said:
I bought a digital gauge from Canadian Tire for $5 for accuracy and I recommend you do so as well.
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Great idea for a PSA, be very careful with cheap tire pressure monitors. Just because digital is easy to read doesn't mean it is accurate (especially when it's so cheap). Check with a few other gauges to make sure your new guage isn't reading 10 psi low. I'm not saying it is wrong, just telling you to be careful and don't assume that $5 gauges are accurate.
 
GreyGhost said:
Great idea for a PSA, be very careful with cheap tire pressure monitors. Just because digital is easy to read doesn't mean it is accurate (especially when it's so cheap). Check with a few other gauges to make sure your new guage isn't reading 10 psi low. I'm not saying it is wrong, just telling you to be careful and don't assume that $5 gauges are accurate.
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+1 - very good statement~!


20% under inflation from manufacture reco PSI settings operates at "flat" like temps and can be very dangerous! also decrease fuel economy, tire life, traction etc.... there is NO benefit to running under inflated!
 
09SV650S said:
+1 - very good statement~!


20% under inflation from manufacture reco PSI settings operates at "flat" like temps and can be very dangerous! also decrease fuel economy, tire life, traction etc.... there is NO benefit to running under inflated!
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There is, if you're riding dirt roads. :)

But yeah, pressure is important and checking it often is a good way to spot small leaks as well. Rim leaks are rare on bikes but punctures still happen. Most gauges are very accurate, even the cheap ones. A pressure gauge is not a very sophisticated piece of equipment.
I have a whole bunch of old school metal ones if anyone wants them for free.
 
PLau said:
I'll do it when I get home :P

But wow, wouldn't you be able to see the difference with 10-12psi lower than recommended?
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Not necessarily... depends on the stiffness of the carcass. There's not a lot of weight on bike tires so the under-inflation may not be as apparent as on a car.
 
They are small and heat up as well so be careful not to over inflate. Cold on mine suggested 33 and 36.
Tried them both at 40 but after riding for a while on a warm day the front was at 50 and skittish as hell.

Finally got a wireless reader kit and the tires seem to settle at 35 or so cold and go 40 -41 warm and feel fine.
Burgman is heavy and eats rear tires and hard to get at the valve with big rotors and smallish wheels. ( 15" )

So I figure the $150 for the wireless set up might extend my tire life quite a bit and it's reassuring to know. It's accurate too. Race mechanic has an expensive gauge and mine agreed with his exaclty
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