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80 psi too low for my 700x28 tires?

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80 psi too low for my 700x28 tires?

Old 01-29-21, 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by HTupolev
Good point. Continental has a page on their website with a nice straight answer.



They recommend choosing pressures higher than the recommended pressure.

I'll say. That's more then adequately confusing and useless. I try to learn something new every day. I wonder what I'll learn tomorrow!
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Old 01-29-21, 07:56 PM
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There is no way for us to answer this for you. Different road conditions and rider tendencies make a difference.
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Old 01-29-21, 08:11 PM
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How often does the average rider really check their pressures? If it's monthly then the recommended pressure probably has 20psi wiggle room for this.

I am not too bad on my "fun" bikes but on my commuter I don't bother checking until they get particularly squishy.
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Old 01-30-21, 04:38 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by Symox
I have foldable Continental Gatorskins (I happen to love 'em but I'm sure there may be better options) in 700x28. Someone on this forum suggested running tires at a lower pressure to help with downhill riding. This suggestion literally changed my confidence in descents. I was running 23s at max pressure and the bike always felt glitchy and on the verge of losing control. With the 28s running at 80 psi it feels like a totally different bike - for the better!

The Continental website says 95-116 is the range for this particular tire. I weigh 155 lbs and haven't experienced pinch flat (knock on wood) with 80psi. I only ride on tarmac roads (no gravel) but there are occasional potholes that I do my best to avoid. Should I be concerned about running at this low a pressure? These are NOT the hardshell versions btw.

Thanks for your insight
dude 80psi on 28 is high...it is the new 100psi.
i got over 200lbs and i do 80 or less no issues at all.
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Old 01-30-21, 10:22 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Blues
Being an 185 pound older guy suffering from a lot of wear, a smooth ride is the only option or I would not be able to ride at all. I have folding 28mm Gaterskins with tubes on my R-300 Cannondale, probably the biggest tires I can fit on it. Without my body complaining, the highest pressures I am able to run on my local not-so-smooth roads are 40 psi front and 45 psi rear. I am not racing, just trying to keep in shape on these hills. I do ride regular, but I don't ride the mileages a lot of you guys do, and I have not noticed the bike being sluggish or squirrelly at all.

My ideal Geezer Road Ride has 40mm tires which I run at 35 psi front and 40 psi rear.

Someone is probably going to jump my case about my pressures, but hey, they work for me and might work for someone else. For me it's a matter of riding or not.

Fred
I have 44mm Rene Herse tires on my Crockett,(they measure 40mm) I started off at exactly those pressures. I weigh about 20lbs less than you and have ridden them down to 30frt/34rr on pavement, no problem. Your pressures are fine, I'm sure.
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Old 01-30-21, 02:08 PM
  #31  
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I'm 170lbs. I ride 28s tubed with 65F/70R. You'll be good!
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Old 01-30-21, 02:21 PM
  #32  
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Totally old-school here. I run 28c at around 90 psi. Love the ride on the Vittoria G+/G2.0s. (Might run a touch less on 28c Paselas. They are both stiffer and probably bigger. Also less traction but that I take into account on how fast I will do corners.)

I state my tire pressures as the average with 2-3 psi less in front, 2-3 psi more in back. Been riding that roughly 5 psi difference many years.
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Old 01-30-21, 02:57 PM
  #33  
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Gatorskins have a stiff, puncture proof sidewall. If you run them at low pressure they'll roll very poorly. Not that they roll well at any pressure to begin with.
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Old 01-30-21, 07:53 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by Symox
I have foldable Continental Gatorskins (I happen to love 'em but I'm sure there may be better options) in 700x28. Someone on this forum suggested running tires at a lower pressure to help with downhill riding. This suggestion literally changed my confidence in descents. I was running 23s at max pressure and the bike always felt glitchy and on the verge of losing control. With the 28s running at 80 psi it feels like a totally different bike - for the better!

The Continental website says 95-116 is the range for this particular tire. I weigh 155 lbs and haven't experienced pinch flat (knock on wood) with 80psi. I only ride on tarmac roads (no gravel) but there are occasional potholes that I do my best to avoid. Should I be concerned about running at this low a pressure? These are NOT the hardshell versions btw.

Thanks for your insight
I'm over 200 and ride 23 GP4000s with 80R/90F.

I won't go back to Gatorskins, the difference in puncture resistance (marginal) is not worth the difference in road feel/resistance (significant).
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Old 01-30-21, 08:37 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by Symox
Wow, you aren't kidding. Just tried 70 and then 60. Like a whole different set of tires!! I'll probably settle on 70 ish

Why do you run lower pressure in the rear?

Why am I only now finding out about this?
Interesting, the calculator I use to get starting points for pressure spit out around 70-ish psi for you.
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Old 01-31-21, 12:04 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
Interesting, the calculator I use to get starting points for pressure spit out around 70-ish psi for you.
where can I find that calculator?
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Old 01-31-21, 12:05 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by Leinster
I'm over 200 and ride 23 GP4000s with 80R/90F.

I won't go back to Gatorskins, the difference in puncture resistance (marginal) is not worth the difference in road feel/resistance (significant).
do you use the all weather GP4000s?
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Old 01-31-21, 12:09 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by 79pmooney
Totally old-school here. I run 28c at around 90 psi. Love the ride on the Vittoria G+/G2.0s. (Might run a touch less on 28c Paselas. They are both stiffer and probably bigger. Also less traction but that I take into account on how fast I will do corners.)

I state my tire pressures as the average with 2-3 psi less in front, 2-3 psi more in back. Been riding that roughly 5 psi difference many years.
how do you like the Paselas? I got some Gravelkings for a single speed gravel bike and have been very impressed with the quality. Can you compare the Paselas to Gatorskins?
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Old 01-31-21, 12:11 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by sfrider
Gatorskins have a stiff, puncture proof sidewall. If you run them at low pressure they'll roll very poorly. Not that they roll well at any pressure to begin with.
what would you recommend as an alternative?
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Old 01-31-21, 12:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Symox
do you use the all weather GP4000s?
I was at the LBS today and the mechanic was recommending the GP 4000 all weather. He said they roll similar to the GP 5000. He said the 5000 is a race day tire and the 4000 all weather has an additional layer making it more puncture resistant. Any opinions here?
thx
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Old 01-31-21, 01:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Joearch
I was at the LBS today and the mechanic was recommending the GP 4000 all weather. He said they roll similar to the GP 5000. He said the 5000 is a race day tire and the 4000 all weather has an additional layer making it more puncture resistant. Any opinions here?
thx
GP5000s also have an anti-puncture layer and are imo the best performance-oriented all around tire. They're actually the best rolling tire which has an anti-puncture layer and reasonably thick thread, all the better rolling tires are significantly thinner TT style tires without a puncture resistance layer. Continental really hit the spot with the GP5000, they've got both the durability and puncture resistance and the rolling resistance and grip.
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Old 01-31-21, 06:07 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by Joearch
I was at the LBS today and the mechanic was recommending the GP 4000 all weather. He said they roll similar to the GP 5000. He said the 5000 is a race day tire and the 4000 all weather has an additional layer making it more puncture resistant. Any opinions here?
thx
Opnion? These if you flat regularly. I have used them on my commuting wheels for years and the ride and handling are fine. Never flatted on them that I can remember.

Originally Posted by Branko D
GP5000s also have an anti-puncture layer and are imo the best performance-oriented all around tire. They're actually the best rolling tire which has an anti-puncture layer and reasonably thick thread, all the better rolling tires are significantly thinner TT style tires without a puncture resistance layer. Continental really hit the spot with the GP5000, they've got both the durability and puncture resistance and the rolling resistance and grip.
Agree with the positive consensus on these. I’m a lightweight, but have about 8000 mi. on a pair I installed last Feb and the wear dimples are still visible on the rear. No flats. Great, fast, all-round training solution.
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Old 01-31-21, 07:16 AM
  #43  
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I’ve also had a positive experience with the 5000. 3000 miles on my pair, just finally getting into new tire territory and no flats.

I run 28s at 60/60 weighing in the 170s
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Old 01-31-21, 07:29 AM
  #44  
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Splitting the difference, a tire I'd like to try sometime in the future for general training usage is the Pirelli Velo 4S. Looks to be a good compromise of protection and performance.
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Old 01-31-21, 07:56 AM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by HTupolev
Neither do Gatorskins. But there is a minimum PSI on the box. For 23 GP5000, Continental specs a minimum PSI of 110.



They pack a lot of information into that set of data. As I interpret it, the pointer above the center "BAR/PSI" columns is indicating the recommended pressure rather than a minimum pressure. The curved heavy line shown next to the tip of the pointer represents the range of what Continental considers usable pressures in bars and the corresponding line outside the circumference the range in psi.

Thus, according to the illustrated information, the recommended pressure for a 23-mm tire is 110 psi, but the pressure can be adjusted upward or downward throughout the indicated (albeit unspecified) range, at the user's discretion. For example, at my present weight of about 125 pounds, I usually pump my 23-mm tires to around 80 or 85 psi. And that's the pressure the day I inflate the tires. I often find that they're down to 65 psi or so by the next time that I inflate them.

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Old 01-31-21, 09:41 AM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by Symox
how do you like the Paselas? I got some Gravelkings for a single speed gravel bike and have been very impressed with the quality. Can you compare the Paselas to Gatorskins?
I cannot compare them to Gatorskins because I have never ridden Gatorskins nor have any desire to. Paselas are good tires but like any tire, a compromise. Decent rolling, good feel, decent traction, OK traction in the wet. good about not picking up glass and debris. Sidewalls are strong but thin. Great against impact failures but don't touch them with a brake shoe or curb! (They are the secret to that nice ride.)

I use the Paselas on my winter/city/rain bikes. (Except not on below freezing roads; not all that common here in Portland.) They are not bulletproof but are so good at not picking up glass and debris that I don't get very many flats. Beads are not tight so road changes are easy. Quality and consistency is very good. Despite the non-tight beads, too loose is something I haven't seen. (I've been riding those tires 12? years and maybe 30,000 miles on several bikes. They are super consistent.) I ride mostly the cheaper (and easier to mount) wire beaded ones but have had very good experiences with all I've used from 25c to 38c. I love the width choices.

All that said, they are a far cry from the sweet Vittoria G+ and G2.0s I ride on my good bikes. Those tires get better grip, a lot better in the wet, roll faster, have better feel, are a bunch lighter and don't get a lot more flats. They do cost twice as much and don't last as long. But if I am going to be riding my good bike on iffy roads. I throw those Paselas on and the bike doesn't become a dog.

I am a light, long, skinny rider. Tires with thick casing and less than grippy tread slide out under me on marginal road surfaces which are common here in rain country. One of my criteria is keeping my skin off the pavement.
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Old 01-31-21, 09:58 AM
  #47  
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You need enough tire pressure to protect the rim you have from the road conditions you ride on. A pinch flat is a tube / tire issue, but denting your rim in a pothole / on broken pavement is hugely worse. You will get advice to keep lowering your pressure until things go sideways on a ride and you ... dent your rim. If Conti says 95 I wouldn't go below 90, knowing the gauge might be off and we're really at 85.
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Old 01-31-21, 11:00 AM
  #48  
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I’ve got wider rims. In the summer on easy weekend rides I’m good to go out the door with my pump telling me I put 50 in the front and 60 in the back, whether it’s Vittoria Corsas or Conti GP5Ks in 28mm. Below 30F outside and in commuting traffic and I jack it up to 85/100 before heading out- no idea what that measures after ten minutes in the cold.
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Old 01-31-21, 02:59 PM
  #49  
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So in the cold when you have less traction you raise the pressure a bunch?!?
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Old 01-31-21, 03:07 PM
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I've rejuvenated my 30+ year old Silca pump with a new Hirame chuck and a new and much larger liquid filled 0-100 psi gauge that's accurate to plus or minus 1.5%. Now I can read the gauge easily and be confident in the pressure. The old gauge was reading about 8 psi higher than the actual pressure.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...00b021c44a.jpg
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