My wife weighs 100lbs … should we be changing the tire pressure to suit her weight? We are currently using 110 for training and 120 for racing - the thought being that for training a little more comfort might be good but for racing the harder tire may be a little faster.
Short answer - yes. But … what kind of tires (clincher, tubular). 650c? 700c. 19 or 23mm? This all makes a diff.
My wife weighs 100lbs … should we be changing the tire pressure to suit her weight? We are currently using 110 for training and 120 for racing - the thought being that for training a little more comfort might be good but for racing the harder tire may be a little faster.
For both training and racing, she should be on MUCH lower pressure. She’ll be more comfortable AND faster all around. Shoot for something closer to 90 psi. Seriously.
Short answer - yes. But … what kind of tires (clincher, tubular). 650c? 700c. 19 or 23mm? This all makes a diff.
Clincher, 700 x 23cc
Thanks Tom. What’s the thinking behind that?
I am 180 lbs, 700 x 23c clinchers but on a Hed Jet 6 C2 wheel (23mm) any thoughts on that from anyone?
Thanks Tom. What’s the thinking behind that?
I am 180 lbs, 700 x 23c clinchers but on a Hed Jet 6 C2 wheel (23mm) any thoughts on that from anyone?
The idea is to allow the tire to do it’s “job”, which is basically to absorb (and then nearly completely elastically return) road surface irregularities instead of having that energy transmitted through the tire and into the bike where it is dissipated elsewhere. After a point, higher pressure only result in slowing the rider down…
For more detail, see these (especially the pressure part at the end of the “What’s in a tube” article):
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Tires_and_wheels_for_timed_cycling_events_226.html
Short answer - yes. But … what kind of tires (clincher, tubular). 650c? 700c. 19 or 23mm? This all makes a diff.
Clincher, 700 x 23cc
depends on the tire as well (ex: Michelin PR3s run wide, so lower pressure, etc.).
But, she should likely be running around 90 psi front, perhaps 95 rear.
Yes, you should adjust the pressure for the different weight.
As an example, I weigh 175lbs, have an Al frame, run PR3s and C2 wheels. I run 105psig and am very happy with the ride and grip.
YMMV.
Oh, and I do not run a different pressure in a race unless I know they are really smooth roads (which none of my races ever have).
Short answer - yes. But … what kind of tires (clincher, tubular). 650c? 700c. 19 or 23mm? This all makes a diff.
Clincher, 700 x 23cc
depends on the tire as well (ex: Michelin PR3s run wide, so lower pressure, etc.).
But, she should likely be running around 90 psi front, perhaps 95 rear.
Bontrager Race X Lite at the moment … Recommended 110 - Max 120
The Bonti’s still should be run at 90 (I might even go lower).
All you need to know:
http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/200903_PSIRX_Heine.pdf
.
As a mechanic for Ironman the last 8 years, this issue has always been on the table. Over the years, I have gotten to the point where I won’t debate anyone unless they are VERY WRONG (at least in my opinion). As a rough guide 90-120 PSI is fine. A petite women wants 90-100…a beefy dude 110-120. Those in between should flavor to taste. There are so many unclear variables, such as Changing Temp vs Pressure…Rate that air bleeds from a tire, accuracy of gauges and so on… Fussing about 5-10 psi is pointless. In transition race morning, when I am asked for 118 in the rear tire and 113 in the front. I say, “You got it!” knowing there is no way I accurately fulfill this request. When I am asked to put 180 psi in a tire, I tell them my pump won’t go that high. Race morning is no time to explain that 180 psi is a bad idea…
In summary, there are so many other things to worry about, that worrying about the minutia of tire pressures is not worth your time. Put air in your tire…get it near the recommended pressure, then forget about. Then you can start focusing on the alligators (or sharks…) that are waiting to greet you during the swim
My 2 cents,
Bill
Yes, you should adjust the pressure for the different weight.
As an example, I weigh 175lbs, have an Al frame, run PR3s and C2 wheels. I run 105psig and am very happy with the ride and grip.
YMMV.
Oh, and I do not run a different pressure in a race unless I know they are really smooth roads (which none of my races ever have).
No issues at 105 psi with Pro 3 Races? The packaging recommends 116 at that weight. I’m 175 right now. I just picked up some pr3’s cheap. I love the feel of my gp4000s at 105 psi. Or what my pump says is 105.
Yeah, I know what the chart says. At 105psig on my Blackburn floor pump it jst feels right for me. The roads here in WI are just plain old bad. I am sure I am giving a little in Crr, but the ride quality makes up for it.
Before a 1/2 marathon foot race, I saw a wheel chair competitor using an electric pump to inflate his tires to 180 psi. Don’t know where he got a 12V 180 psi pump, but I’m sure that pumping tires that high for a race on a valley road that sometimes floods in the Spring thaw and is not in the best condition, was not a good plan.