Another Tire Pressure Question (I mean REALLY EXCITING Tire Pressure Question)

Triathlon Forum
1

Tell me if my rationale makes sense:

I have been riding on either Michelin ProRace or Conti Attack/Force tires. I am happy with both. I weigh about 200 pounds and usually have my pressure at about 110r/105-110f.

I am doing two 1/2 IMs and IMMoo this year. I was considering going to a Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp because of the higher max pressure (145 psi). My thought is that I will chck pressure at 6AM. But my bike will be sitting and being ridden in the sun/warmth for many hours. It will be 20-30 degrees warmer at 2pm. I know the 10 degrees = 2 psi rule. But with the higher max tire, I can just consider the likely temp. rise and pump it up to the desired pressure and still have a significant buffer if the temp get much higher than I predicted 6-8 hours later.

Or do I just stick with the Contis or Michelins and figure that I will be fine even if I go over the 120 or 116 maximums (respectively). I do not want to underinflate because of my weight.

Thanks for any and all comments.

2

I ahve been contemplating this for quite some time for my TT bike so I do not have any experience with the tires I am about to suggest. Also, be forewarned that what follows probably will not sit too well with the purist/tubular crowd (yes - I have ridden/raced tubulars and may do so again). So, if tire pressure is a concern and you are running clinchers, why not consider Tuffo tubular/clinchers which can be pumped up to 220 psi (assuming your pump goes that high)? I have not been able to find much in the way of feedback and there have only been a couple of reviews from riders using the Tuffo tires (USCF racing). Although everyone agreed that the Tuffo’s are not a good choice for regular training/riding, each of them was unanimous in opinion and offered good feedback about things like good to superior grip in corners, smooth roll, and a nice ride when pumped up to 140-160-180 psi!

Michael

3

I used to pump my Pro-Race tires to 140 all of the time and had absolutly no problems ever. All that I got from that was a rough ride. I find that there is really no noticeable difference in rolling resistance between 110 and 140psi for those tires.

I wouldn’t worry at all about overinflation from the temp changing from morning to afternoon. To me this is a non-issue.

jaretj

4

Make sure your rims are rated to handle that much tire pressure— Not all clincher rimes can go above 130 PSI.

5

THIS IS AN EXCITING QUESTION!!!
I’ve been riding on Michelin Carbons and use the Pro Race for my actual races. I usually run 120-125psi because it seems like they roll faster in that range. I typically pump up the tires to 115ish early in the morning, and they ended up at 122 at race time. I did this the day before the GCT just to see. Temps were around 70ish in the morning and 91 and sunny when I checked them. I did run my Carbons up to 135 or so, but it just seemed to get a lot harsher rather than improving the rolling speed. There’s a world of difference between 105psi and 120psi though. I used to run HiLite SupercompHD 700x18s at 135psi…harsh but fast!
I am working on an experimental setup to test rolling resistance of tires, so I might have some actual data sometime soon. Of course I’d have to stop training for a few days and finish welding…

6

Why are you racing in training wheels (clinchers)? You should get race wheels (tubulars) and that way you can pump them to close to 180psi.

7

Was that a smartass answer Smartasscoach?

Presuming not, financial considerations are the reason. I am just not good enough to warrant the expense - and I really cannot afford them anyway.

8

Buy a beam bike and there is no such thing as a “harsh ride”. So pump the tires to 160 and GO!!!