What PSI?

[Mars]

yellowjack said:

I've just switched to Schwalbe Ultremo R1s on the road bike, and invested in some 'high pressure' road tubes at the same time. I started them at 140psi, expecting it to be too harsh a ride when compared to my old Vittoria Zaffiros running at 110 to 120 psi. The new tyres make all the difference, being more comfortable at 140 than the old tyres were at 110, and the bonus is that I've knocked a minute off my time for my regular 20 mile route and 2 minutes off a hilly ten miler. The only down side so far is the fact that it looks like wear rate will be an issue, but that's only gut feeling based on the fact that they are softer compound on the contact patch, so even that may not be a problem. Another plus point was the available choice of coloured shoulder stripes - I got mine in white and it sets the bike off a treat. Vanity, and 'form over function' win every time, but with these tyres you get both form and function. Win/Win.

Forgive my ignorance, but isn't the pressure you run at related to the tyres' capabilities rather than the tubes?

I have some 5-for-a-tenner tubes for my BMX. They're cheep cheap but they have withstood 90psi because the wheels and tyres are capable of such. Having said that, one of the 5 deflated when the valve failed at high pressure. Is that the difference?

[Antony Moxey]

HereBeMonsters said:

Any options for those of us with multi-capable bikes? Like those ones that don't cry when you show them a kerb, some gravel, or a small jump?

Normally around 55-60ish on the road, 30ish on the trails. SWMBO's MTB is currently running around 80 I think, but I haven't got that much in mine as it says *I think* 60 max on them. Spec The Captains BTW.

[fixedwheelnut]

14st roadie on 23C tyres I usually run 120+ or I get pinch flats.

Handy guide here on CTC site

[yellowjack]

Mars said:

Forgive my ignorance, but isn't the pressure you run at related to the tyres' capabilities rather than the tubes?

I have some 5-for-a-tenner tubes for my BMX. They're cheep cheap but they have withstood 90psi because the wheels and tyres are capable of such. Having said that, one of the 5 deflated when the valve failed at high pressure. Is that the difference?

I'll join you in ignorance, but yes, I think the pressure rating applies to tyres, and the main reason I switched to the Ultremos was the front wheel puncture I suffered in the last mile of my ride on Tuesday. The Vittorias were not knackered, but as I rode in on a flat, I thought I'd better swap out the tube. As it was, it already had a number of repairs, so needed changing, and the tube on the rear had too short a valve stem to connect a pump efficiently (it was from my old shallow rimmed racer) so that needed changing. I had bought the Ultremos off of t'internet, so decided to fit them while both tyres were off anyway. The tubes were from a LBS, and I bought them principally because I'd exhausted my stock of spares, and they had long valve stems. The fact that the box stated 'high pressure tubes' was by-the-by, and that statement is pretty much in the vain of the decal on my old racer stating it has 'pro-race geometry'. Surely all road racing bikes have similar geometry, in the same way that all 700 x 18-25c tubes are designed to cope with high pressures? and since when did the fact that the obvious was being stated ever discourage a manufacturer from stating it? The purpose of my original reply was to answer the OP's question and relay my surprise as to how much the quality and weight of a tyre can improve speed over a set distance without compromising comfort. The rating for the Ultremos is 110psi(I think) to 145psi(definitely). The only reason I didn't go all the way to 145 was that I couldn't get them up to that pressure with my cheap Tesco floor pump, despite it having a gauge marked up to 160psi. (MTFU?)

[yellowjack]

okgo said:

Yellojack,

When you wear the ultremo's out in 600 miles get duranos, same colour selection, tougher and longer lasting, not much heavier.

okgo, you are scaring me now. At current mileage, your 600 mile estimate puts me needing fresh rubber before August, and at >£50 a set it's an expense I could do without . If the Ultremos do wear out that quickly, I'll definitely be giving them there Duranos a whirl.
As an aside, I was overtaken on the M25 last Friday by the Schwalbe bicycle tyre support van, a veedub Transporter. I wonder if they do roadside assistance??

ETA: I'm sure you suggested the Duranos on another thread, but I'd bought the Ultremos already. This'll learn me to listen to advice in future, although so far I've got to say I'm more than happy with the tyres I've got.

Edited by yellowjack on Sunday 26th June 01:01

[okgo]

Haha, I was being a bit dramatic, but they don't last as long as gp4000s. I think you'd be doing well to get 1800 out of them, whereas the gp4000s is usually good for about 3k.