What is the recommended PSI for bicycle tyres?

Look at the side wall of your tyres and you will be able to read the minimum and maximum PSI or Bar you can inflate your tubeless tyres or inner tubes up to.

Try to maintain the correct inflation pressure in your tube to lower the risk of punctures. Pump your tube to the pressure within that range.  If you are aiming for speed, you can inflate your tube right up to the maximum PSI indicated as that will help to reduce the rolling resistance of the tyre.

For better grip, you can let out some air for a more comfortable ride, especially when it is raining. Remember not go below the minimum PSI range recommended as the inner tube can get pinched between the rim and the tyre which can cause punctures. Also, it will be harder to ride a bike when the tyre pressure is too low.

If you enjoy riding your bicycle downhill, during descents, use your brakes in an on-and-off fashion to prevent the rim from been heated up as that could expand the air in your tube and cause a tyre blow-off. That is a good reason not to over inflate your tube.

If you visit Schwalbe’s website, you will find a tyre pressure chart calculated based on body weight and tyre width.

At Silca there is a link to "Tire Pressure Calculator". You can click on it to enter the information required, which includes the terrain you ride on, in order to calculate the PSI you need to inflate your tyres up to.

Some companies supply their pumps with a PSI chart attached. Based on this chart from PumpKing, for tyre size 700X28C, it is safe to pump your tube right up to 73 PSI if you are not able to read the markings on your tyre. 

Over time you will discover the perfect tyre pressure based on your personal experience and adjustment.  To make adjustment, you can start at the lower end of the recommended range and gradually add a few PSI after each ride, up to the maximum PSI recommended.  You can then stick to the inflation that provides you the best comfort and less resistance during rides.

How much air should I have in my fixie bike tyres?

Try to maintain the correct inflation pressure in your tube to lower the risk of punctures. Look at the inflation recommendations marked on the sidewall of your tyre and pump your tube to the pressure within that range.

If you are aiming for speed, you can inflate your tube right up to the maximum PSI indicated as that will help to reduce the rolling resistance of the tyre.

For better grip, you can let out some air for a more comfortable ride, especially when it is raining. Remember not go below the minimum PSI range recommended as the inner tube can get pinched between the rim and the tyre which can cause punctures.

If you enjoy riding your fixie downhill, during descents, use your brakes in an on-and-off fashion to prevent the rim from been heated up as that could expand the air in your tube and cause a tyre blow-off. That is a good reason not to over inflate your tube.

If you visit Schwalbe’s website, you will find a tyre pressure chart calculated based on body weight.

Some companies supply their pumps with a PSI chart attached. So, for fixie tyre of size 700x28C, if you can’t read the markings on your tyre, it is safe to pump your tube right up to 73 PSI .

How can I fix my bicycle puncture at home?

Before you remove your tube to replace it, you need to make sure that you have the right spare tube on hand. Following are information on selecting the right tyre and tubes.

Locate the hole on your puncture tube. If the hole is on the inner side (facing the rim) of the tube, especially along its seam and small, it could be manufacturing defect. Bring it back to the shop to see if they will replace it for you.

If it has been punctured by a foreign object, check along the tyre to make sure that the sharp object is not still sticking to the tyre. Look at the size of the hole and decide if you would like to patch it instead of replacing it. There are many kind of patch kits in the market.

If your rim tape need to be replaced, you can buy it or DIY.

Other than tyre levers, you will also need a pump to inflate the replaced tube. Here are some notes on choosing the right pump if you do not have one yet.

It is best to watch a video on how it should be done then experimenting on your own. For a beginner it can be a hassle to change your own tyre or tube. You may not be familiar with using the tyre levers and may pinch your new tube in the process.

I hope that knowing the above facts will ensure that you do not have to perform the same task twice because you have used the wrong size or have the replaced tube punctured again sooner than it should.

What can we do with old tyre and punctured tubes?

I have lots of worn out tyres from my bike shop.  I can’t leave them outside for too long because mosquito could breed in them should water accumulate inside its hollow space because of the rain.

I was inspired by a photo I saw on Pinterest and manged to tie some up to create a chair.  This is how it turned out.

Raffia strings don’t hold them together too well and after some time, they fell apart.  What will you consider using to tie them up together so that they can last longer?

If the stains on your chair cannot be cleaned, you can cover it up with punctured tyre tubes this way. It can also cover small cracks on chairs so that you fanny will not get pinched.

I also like to consider using punctured tubes as material to explore my creativity.  Here are some of my creations.

This is made with gear cable and tube.

Would the guys wear this?

Here are some tips if you need inspiration to create with waste material you have collected from your bicycles.

Are there bicycles suitable for overweight cylists?

I noticed that customers who are overweight tend to fear looking awkward on the regular bicycle with narrow tyres. They have a tendency to worry that the wheelset cannot withstand their weight and will break down on them while they are out cycling.

This anxiety can distract them from enjoying the ride and make them feel clumsy on their bikes. Moreover, most of them prefer larger saddles which will look awkward installed on a regular bike.

So, based on the questions asked, I tend to recommend that they get a fatbike.

A cyclist needs to pump his bicycle tubes around once every week or once every fortnight if he does not ride as often. However, for a very heavy rider, he may need to inflate his tubes more often as the tube need to be pumped to the maximum pressure stamped on the sidewall. It can look embarrassing for a larger rider to be cycling on a bicycle with tyres that look flat. So, this can a hassle.

Fatbike runs on 26x4″wheelset. The wider width tyres provides better balance for an overweight person. The air in the tubes is best pumped to the maximum pressure if it is ridden on paved road. You should let some air out if you are cycling it off road. Then the tyres will act like a suspension fork, making the rider feels like he is riding on a 2 wheeler monster truck. This eliminates the requirement to pump air in tubes more often for heavy riders.

Fatbike is not that common yet in Malaysia and this is a feedback from an overweight customer who took my advice to get a Fatbike. He said that it gives him a sense of pride. People are looking at the Fatbike and not him as an overweight rider. Strangers tend to approach him and asked him about his experience on his Fatbike. This encourages him to ride out more often which helps him to reduce some weight.

DO IT YOURSELF FOR REBATES

Watch this video and learn how to change your own bicycle tyre or tube.

 

Why? If you fix your puncture personally, you will get a RM4 rebate off any tyre or tube you purchase at:

Jom Johan Trading and Services
No 43A, Jalan Prima Saujana
1/1A Taman Prima Saujana Sek 1 43000
Kajang, Selangor
Malaysia

Some points to note:

1) Before removing your current tube, pump in some air to see if it can be inflated.
2) Before you install the new tube, inflate it a little to check the surface for any defects.
3) Check your rim to see if there are any protruding spoke that could puncture your tube again. Ask the staff at Jom Johan to show you how to create a rim tape if it is required.
4) Check the outer and inner casing of your tyre to remove any embedded sharp object, such as, glass or nails.
5) Before you finish up by inflating the tube, make sure that it is fully inserted into the tyre and not sticking out of the rim.
6) Do not over inflate the tube as it can burst up like a balloon. Good for shop owner but not for your pocket.

Use the proper tools to remove and install tyres and tubes to prevent scratching or damaging the rims of the wheel or even puncturing the new inner tube you are installing.

This is one of the bicycle tool kits you can consider using as it comes with metal tyre levers.

If you would like to borrow tools available at the shop, be nice to the owner by telling how much you

Jom Johan

 on FaceBook.

Punctured your tube?

Watch this video and learn

1) how to remove and re-install your rear wheels off your bicycle
2) about the convenience of getting rear wheel quick release for your bicycle
3) how to remove tyre and inner tube off the rim
4) about the convenience of using the right tyre levers
5) how to fix a punctured bicycle tube with a cold patch

 

You can get this

at 

Jom Johan Trading and Services

No 43A, Jalan Prima Saujana 1/1A

Taman Prima Saujana Sek 1

43000 KajangSelangor

Malaysia