JimLor
Well-known member
I've read the posts on here about tire pressures, I see people run from the book's 36/36 to 42/42 and virtually every combination in-between. I've read the facinating discussions of temperature and pressure relationship, etc. I "think" I understand that underinflated tires will present a greater increase in temperature than an overinflated tire. Now, I don't have and am not going to buy a temperature reader for tires, heck, I don't even know what you'd use or how you'd take the temperature. I thought it would be interesting to discuss this while waiting for the snow to hit here in N. VA.
I've personally run from 36/36 to 40/42 (book calls for 36/36 at my weight solo and 36/42 with a pax). I've found that with Lorie on the back 36/42 works great. Any greater pressure in the front tire and ole Maxine wonders around on her own at slow speeds (<10mph/16kph). I usually run 36/38 or 38/40 solo, why, beats me, but both seem to work fine. I recently started a "Riding Notes" notebook (jotting down main points from "Sport Riding Techniques" for quick review) and think I'll try some rides at different pressures and make notes on the ride to include starting and warm pressure and ride charecteristics. That said:
Is there any temperature/pressure relationship (cold to hot) that can tell you when you're running the "right" pressures? Of course one must first define what the "right" pressure is. IOW, if I start at 38/40 cold, what should I see once the tires are warmed up? Is a 10% rise in pressure right, 20%? I'm not trying to bait anyone or throw a turd on the table - I'm really interested. For what it's worth, I think I read on the Avon site that my new Storms (did I mention how much I love these tires!) should be at 36/42. I'm not going to put nitrogen/hydrogen or synthetic air in my tires (dino air is ok), but would be interested in discussions of what effect those might have.
Thanks to any and all who take the time to mull, posit, and post their thoughts!
I've personally run from 36/36 to 40/42 (book calls for 36/36 at my weight solo and 36/42 with a pax). I've found that with Lorie on the back 36/42 works great. Any greater pressure in the front tire and ole Maxine wonders around on her own at slow speeds (<10mph/16kph). I usually run 36/38 or 38/40 solo, why, beats me, but both seem to work fine. I recently started a "Riding Notes" notebook (jotting down main points from "Sport Riding Techniques" for quick review) and think I'll try some rides at different pressures and make notes on the ride to include starting and warm pressure and ride charecteristics. That said:
Is there any temperature/pressure relationship (cold to hot) that can tell you when you're running the "right" pressures? Of course one must first define what the "right" pressure is. IOW, if I start at 38/40 cold, what should I see once the tires are warmed up? Is a 10% rise in pressure right, 20%? I'm not trying to bait anyone or throw a turd on the table - I'm really interested. For what it's worth, I think I read on the Avon site that my new Storms (did I mention how much I love these tires!) should be at 36/42. I'm not going to put nitrogen/hydrogen or synthetic air in my tires (dino air is ok), but would be interested in discussions of what effect those might have.
Thanks to any and all who take the time to mull, posit, and post their thoughts!