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.

Plan to buy an ebike? Here are some factors you should take note.

eBike actually encourages people who are overweight to consider cycling.

I read a report that most people who are overweight are not keen to cycle as the assertion can make them perspire heavily. Also, they fear the embarrassment of being watched if they have to get off a regular bicycle to push it uphill. You can ride uphill on an eBike more easily, provided the slope is not too steep and within the acceptable gradient limit specified for it.

Factors you have to note before getting an ebike from any shop:

1) Is the wattage and speed legally acceptable to be ridden in your own country? In Malaysia, we follow the UK rules so ebike must be pedal assisted, which means that it must have pedals installed that can be used to propel it.

2) Do you want it installed with lithium or lead acid battery which is heavier but cheaper?

3) Ebike comes in tyre size of 14” to 26”. What tyre size is best for your size?

4) Will you have difficulty getting batteries or replacement parts or services to maintain it?

5) What is the highest gradient of incline the ebike can ride up on?

6) Do you need it foldable for ease of transport when you are not riding it?

7) Do you need one with extra seat for pillion rider?

8) Do you need one with gears too?

9) Does it have proper locking system in place to prevent theft?

10) Is the lighting adequate enough for rides at night?

11) Does it have a horn to warn pedestrians and other road users of your approach?

12) Does it charge while you pedal? Some ebikes are supplied with self-charging system so that while cycling, you can recharge your battery. eBike with “recharge” mode will be more expensive.

Shop around and look at the specifications of the ebikes you are interested in. Here are some examples of what is available in Malaysia.

This unit is foldable with 16″ wheel size. If you plan to use public transport part of the way while cycling on your ebike, a foldable model will be a good option to consider. Note the weight of the ebike. Is it too heavy to consider trotting around?


This model with 24″ tyre size comes with a seat for passenger. As it also comes with a basket, it will be suitable for rides out to pick up some stuff or to carry stuff of a child that you plan to ferry around.


If you know what are available in your market, it will be easier for you to make a decision after considering all these factors.

Why is there no stand in a cycle?

If you are cycling on a MTB with a kickstand attached, cycling on rough terrain could be dangerous. It could drop down to its parking position during a bump. The stand can easily get itself hooked to obstacles along the way like roots or rocks causing you to have an accident. This can cause serious injury not only to you but also to the person cycling behind or beside you should he fall right on your protruding stand.

You can easily buy one to install if there is none supplied with the bicycle. Note that if you use a kickstand, you do need a flat surface to stand your bicycle on. So, that may defeat the purpose of getting one if places you plan to cycle to are uneven or gets soft or muddy during rainy days. However, if you like tinkering with your bike or adding stuff to it, it is easier to do so if it is standing properly with a kickstand.

Most road bike users would not want a stand installed to reduce weight.

Planning to tour on a bike?

What should you cycle on if you plan to ride for a longer distance?

If you plan to stay somewhere overnight enroute, you will need a bicycle that can carry the load of your pannier bags.  Do you have to travel by plane, train or car to get you to your cycling site?

Now that I got you thinking about it, following are some tips you should consider before you start on your journey.


Trekking Bicycle for Long Distance Ride from Nancy Poh

Enjoy the ride and the views.

Child Seat for your Bicycle

Do you know that some child seats will require you to install a rear carrier before you can even install them on your bicycle?  Just make sure that the ones you select are right for the weight of your child.



Some child seats are supplied with the carriers required to mount on the bicycle.

There are also some models that are frame mounted.  Here is one that you can mount in front of you so that you can monitor a younger child closely.

Now that you know what is in the market, ask your bike shop what kind of bicycle you should choose to have it installed on.  Be honest.  Admit it if you are a timid rider.

Roof mounted bike carrier, OK?

A customer was here. He sold his car and wanted to know how to remove the Thule OutRide 561 installed so that he can keep it for his next.

I found this video on YouTube on how to install one, thinking that we can work in reverse to have it removed.

   

In the end? The customer decided to leave it for the new owner.

Following are the disadvantages another customer, who had a roof mounted bike carrier installed, shared with me. He said:

1) roof mounted ones are more expensive, especially if, your car don't have a crossbar already mounted. Not having a crossbar means that you need to buy one with mounts and clips that attach to either the door frame or roof gutters on the car which can end up scratching the roof.

2) some models (like this Thule OutRide 561), need the wheels removed in order to be stored.

3) it is not so easy to manage if your bicycles are heavy and you are not tall or strong enough to lift bikes up the carrier.

His last warning to me was that, if I don't want my customers to hate me, don't sell them roof mounted bike carrier!

Why did he say that?  As the tallest and strongest in the family, he is the only one who is able to lift and store all the bikes after a tiring ride with the family.