my tire says that I should put 100 PSI but I am not sure?

Question

My tires feel pretty hard at 75 PSI. I Measured them and the gauge at a gas station said 75 PSI do you think I should continue putting more air or should I tried a different gauge? not sure!!!
Thanks.

Answer 1

If the tire says it will take 100psi, then you can pump it up to 100psi. My tires take 120psi and even though they feel hard at 75psi, they will take whatever the sidewall says it's rated for.

PS-- Don't use a gas station pump, get a floor pump for home and a frame pump for riding on the road. Most newer floor pumps will inflate presta or schrader valves and they have a built in pressure gauge.

Answer 2

Just to clarify a few other answers. While racing bikes often have tires pumped to 120 psi, the bike has nothing to do with how much pressure should be in it to SAFELY function.

The PSI shown on the sidewall is the maximum allowable working pressure as designed by the manufacturer of the tire itself, irrespective of the bike it's used on. I've got a front tire, for instance, that I pump to 150 psi and have never had a flat with it. It's rated that high by the manufacturer and says that on the sidewall. A different, slightly wider Michelin rear tire on my racing bike says 110 psi. While I'm not recommending going above the rated pressure, bear in mind that engineers typically overdesign things. With that in mind, I put 120 PSI on the back tire when I pump it up indoors - unless it's very hot and I expect the pressure to rise once I get outside.

The PSI rating is what you should pump the tire to to minimize rolling resistance. If you prefer a little less to make things more comfy, that's up to you. Just don't let the tire be so soft that you'll get "snakebite" punctures when both sides of the rim hit bumps in the road and chew into the tube.

And don't forget to deflate your tires when you leave your bike in a hot car parked in the sun. KABOOM!

Answer 3

If it states "Max 100 psi" (or something like that) on the sidewall, than it can handle 110 psi easy -- easy. Twenty-five pounds will make a difference in performance, count on it.

Better than the gas station stick type tire pressure gauges would be to get a real bicycle pump with a gauge on it. I use a Topek Joe Blow Sport pump, I'm on my second one, and they work great. My first one lasted about seven years of constant use.

Answer 4

The gauge at the gas station can be 20 pounds off ! And I'd suggest you NEVER fill your tires at a gas station ! Buy a bicycle hand floor pump. They're cheap.

Answer 5

Yes the tires can definitely take 100psi if it says so. My road tires take 125. My old race tires used to tolerate up to 170. Remember, this is pressure, and not air volume. That being said, I'd be careful when using the hose at the gas station. Gas stations supply a lot of air very quickly. They can easily overpower valves or tires.

Answer 6

!00 psi is the MAX pressure. If you are comfortable at 75, no problem. what you want to do is see if the side of teh tire bulges out when you ride on the bike. if it is too soft and you hit a bump or a crack, you will get a "snake bite" p*nct*re. If you are lighter, 75 may be perfectly fine. 100psi is the MAXIMUM you can use, not the minimum!

Answer 7

You have a 26 x 1.25 tyres they will handle 100 psi. You will be topping up the tyres regularly. Shout yourself a good quality floor pump with a pressure gauge on it. Something like this. Any brand will do. Get one that has both presta (french valve) and Schroeder (car tyre) valve adaptors.

http://www.icyclesusa.com/catalog/torelli-bicycle-floor-pump.htm

Very handy to have at home. Second best investment (behind a good bicycle).

Answer 8

Go with 100psi, you'll have less chance of a flat tire, at least 90psi.
At 75 psi you are more likely to "pinch" flat the tire.

I run 120psi

Answer 9

Depends what kind of bike it is. Racing bikes can take 120psi or more, but most standard bikes don't need more than 90.

Answer 10

modern road bikes/tires no problem going to 120psi