Tire Pressure sweet spot
Moderator: robbosmans
- Fourthbook
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2011 2:11 pm
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
I'd like your thoughts on what tire pressure to use for my daily rides on nice roads w/ Enve 3.4s & Conti Comps or Vittoria Evos. I usually have them at 140 psi with no wear or comfort issues but wonder if a lower pressure would be more adviseable.
What do you recommend for general riding for tubulars in good conditions?
Thanks!!
What do you recommend for general riding for tubulars in good conditions?
Thanks!!
Wilier Cento1 SR
13.10 lbs (5.95 kgs) w/Enve 3.4-Tune 70/170 & Conti Competitions tubulars
12.53 lbs (5.68 kgs) w/FarSports 24-Extralite & Vittoria CX EVO II tubulars
13.10 lbs (5.95 kgs) w/Enve 3.4-Tune 70/170 & Conti Competitions tubulars
12.53 lbs (5.68 kgs) w/FarSports 24-Extralite & Vittoria CX EVO II tubulars
Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
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- Posts: 3496
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:47 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh
I like 9 bar on my tubulars. I've tried others but keep going back to 9. (130psi)
- Fourthbook
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2011 2:11 pm
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
I weigh 156 lbs. What are the advantages of a lower pressure?
Wilier Cento1 SR
13.10 lbs (5.95 kgs) w/Enve 3.4-Tune 70/170 & Conti Competitions tubulars
12.53 lbs (5.68 kgs) w/FarSports 24-Extralite & Vittoria CX EVO II tubulars
13.10 lbs (5.95 kgs) w/Enve 3.4-Tune 70/170 & Conti Competitions tubulars
12.53 lbs (5.68 kgs) w/FarSports 24-Extralite & Vittoria CX EVO II tubulars
- Fourthbook
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2011 2:11 pm
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
Geoff wrote:There are many reasons, but the best reasons are:
2. Decreased rolling resistance
Wouldn't a higher pressure lower rolling resistence b/c of less tire-contact on the road and ever-so-slightly less deflection?
Wilier Cento1 SR
13.10 lbs (5.95 kgs) w/Enve 3.4-Tune 70/170 & Conti Competitions tubulars
12.53 lbs (5.68 kgs) w/FarSports 24-Extralite & Vittoria CX EVO II tubulars
13.10 lbs (5.95 kgs) w/Enve 3.4-Tune 70/170 & Conti Competitions tubulars
12.53 lbs (5.68 kgs) w/FarSports 24-Extralite & Vittoria CX EVO II tubulars
Fourthbook wrote:Geoff wrote:There are many reasons, but the best reasons are:
2. Decreased rolling resistance
Wouldn't a higher pressure lower rolling resistence b/c of less tire-contact on the road and ever-so-slightly less deflection?
No. Higher pressure causes the tire to bounce off the road instead of smoothly roll over the road. A tire bouncing up and down on a surface is bad rolling resistance. You want the tire to remain in contact with the surface and flow over it.
- Fourthbook
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2011 2:11 pm
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
Seems counter-intuitive. At some point the lower pressure must > resistence (think of a nearly flat tire). So, where's the cross-over point on nice/smooth roads?
I can understand how < pressure is > comfortable and has better cornering. Does pressure have any effect on tread wear?
I can understand how < pressure is > comfortable and has better cornering. Does pressure have any effect on tread wear?
Wilier Cento1 SR
13.10 lbs (5.95 kgs) w/Enve 3.4-Tune 70/170 & Conti Competitions tubulars
12.53 lbs (5.68 kgs) w/FarSports 24-Extralite & Vittoria CX EVO II tubulars
13.10 lbs (5.95 kgs) w/Enve 3.4-Tune 70/170 & Conti Competitions tubulars
12.53 lbs (5.68 kgs) w/FarSports 24-Extralite & Vittoria CX EVO II tubulars
It is definitely counter-intuitive. It is one of the reasons that tubulars are faster on the road and clinchers are faster on a steel drum.
Even a 'smooth' road isn't smooth at all. It is the supple nature of the tubular that allows it to roll over and around road imperfections, rather than bounce over them like a clincher. By over-inflating a tubular, you loose some of that suppleness and some of the advantages of the tubular to begin with.
I have never conducted an experiment where I deliberately over-inflated tires, but I can still wear a tubular tire down to the cords before it needs replacing.
Oh, I also believe that a properly inflated tubular brakes better, as the contact patch gets larger with the transfer of weight to the front tire.
Even a 'smooth' road isn't smooth at all. It is the supple nature of the tubular that allows it to roll over and around road imperfections, rather than bounce over them like a clincher. By over-inflating a tubular, you loose some of that suppleness and some of the advantages of the tubular to begin with.
I have never conducted an experiment where I deliberately over-inflated tires, but I can still wear a tubular tire down to the cords before it needs replacing.
Oh, I also believe that a properly inflated tubular brakes better, as the contact patch gets larger with the transfer of weight to the front tire.
- Fourthbook
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2011 2:11 pm
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
Tried 115 psi today. No noticeable difference but that means next to nothing as I was even more dog-meat than usual. Will keep them at 115 for a while.
Would love other opinions/thoughts, etc.
Would love other opinions/thoughts, etc.
Last edited by Fourthbook on Mon Mar 12, 2012 1:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
Wilier Cento1 SR
13.10 lbs (5.95 kgs) w/Enve 3.4-Tune 70/170 & Conti Competitions tubulars
12.53 lbs (5.68 kgs) w/FarSports 24-Extralite & Vittoria CX EVO II tubulars
13.10 lbs (5.95 kgs) w/Enve 3.4-Tune 70/170 & Conti Competitions tubulars
12.53 lbs (5.68 kgs) w/FarSports 24-Extralite & Vittoria CX EVO II tubulars
Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓ Broad Selection ✓ Worldwide Delivery ✓
www.starbike.com