Tyres: do they really need to be so hard?

[Gubbins]

I have been riding my shiny new road bike this summer but the nights are drawing in a bit so have switched to the ebike as it feels safer in the damp and dark.
I noticed how smooth it rides but found the tyres had about 10 psi in both so blew them up to 50. On the tyre it is stamped 40psi off road and 80psi on road but at 50 psi on road I feel every bump and it's really uncomfortable on rough roads. At 25 to 30 psi it's a lot better, so why do they need to be so hard?

 

[Geebee]

Does it have a minimum pressure? inflate to that and give it a try 10 psi can make a big difference to ride quality.
Other wise look at Big Apples or similar you can run them really low psi wise.

 

[RoadieRoger]

I run my Batribike Folder with 20 x 1.95 in. tyres at 40-45 Psi . Too high a pressure and the ride is uncomfortable . Batribike quote 40-65 Psi in their handbook .

 

[RobF]

Harder tyres are less likely to puncture and tend to roll better.

It's a matter of your preference, so there is no right or wrong pressure.

I run a few more psi in the rear than the front.

 

[Gubbins]

Harder tyres are less likely to puncture and tend to roll better.

It's a matter of your preference, so there is no right or wrong pressure.

I run a few more psi in the rear than the front.

I was just going to add that as it is often said, but is it true?

Recent tests have shown that the rolling thing might not necessarily be true. In fact I have just bought a Mavic wheelset that came with quite chunky tyres that dont need such a high psi.( by chunky I mean not the narrow rubber band type that road bikes seem to have)

I Persisted all last year with high psi thinking it should make my battery last longer but the bumps take the edge off of a pleasurable ride.

Does anyone run softer tyres?

 

[RobF]

Harder tyres roll easier, but there's a lot of other things which come into it.

So as you say, it's not entirely straightforward.

Tyre width is another one.

Wider tyres roll easier than narrow ones - assuming the tyres are identical in all respects apart from width.

Something to do with deflection on the road surface:

http://www.schwalbe.com/gb/rollwiderstand.html

 

[Gubbins]

Does it have a minimum pressure? inflate to that and give it a try 10 psi can make a big difference to ride quality.
Other wise look at Big Apples or similar you can run them really low psi wise.

Just checked, and yes. Min 35psi max 55 off road and 80 on road, although at 55 on the canal I would be bounced into the water!!

 

[flecc]

Low pressure tyres like Big Apples are the answer, Schwalbe call them "Suspension for Bikes". Extremely comfortable but roll well.
.

 

[Geebee]

Just checked, and yes. Min 35psi max 55 off road and 80 on road, although at 55 on the canal I would be bounced into the water!!

Give them a try at 35 PSI, a bit more drag but a softer ride, and costs nothing to test

If you go to Big Apples or similar just check that they will fit in between the frame and under the mud gaurd due to the increased size.

 

[Alan Quay]

I run Fat Franks on my cruiser. Schwalbe say the are equivalent to Big Apples. They are absolutely brilliant. Comfy, low resistance, puncture resistant.

I've used a lot of different tyres, on many different bikes. For comfort, I wouldn't use anything else.

 

[mab13]

FWIW, I run my Nobby Nics at quite a bit less than their minimum recommendation... 19 front and 22 rear running tubeless. Makes a big (positive) difference for me.

 

[Emo Rider]

I run my Continental 700 x 35c's at 90psi, 5 pounds over specified maximum inflation. I get brilliant range and in riding an average of 60 miles a week have not had a puncture in over a year (POOF! Immediately jinxed myself). I turned my dampening on my forks to as soft as they will go and sit on a Selle Royal sprung saddle. Lovely ride.

 

[Gubbins]

Mine are 29x2.2 so owt over 40 is like riding a jackhammer! Going to try sub 30.