Basic questions from a nin cyclist who is now a cyclist
Discussion
Sorry for the basic questions, I'm 44 and last rode a bike in my teens but my eldest started high school and wanted a bike so we got him one, then my youngest wanted one, then they wanted me to ride with them so I now have one.
All 2nd hand btw
I have some questions I'm hoping for some help with please:
1, the kids have Apollo Gridlock bikes with 24" tyres, I can't seem to find a reliable source of info on the correct tyre pressures, can anyone advise please?
2, My bike, pictured, is quite a lot fancier than I'm used to; it's got disc brakes and fancy gear shifters
Anyway, I've gone to pump up the rear tyre using my trusty electric tyre pump which serves the cars and motorbike fine, however my bike has an odd valve, much smaller and longer than the ones on the kids bikes which are standard car tyres valves
Any idea what these valves are called please ? Hoping I can buy an adaptor for the pump
Photo of my bike for reference, it's a Scott ps55 I think
Roboticarm said:
Sorry for the basic questions, I'm 44 and last rode a bike in my teens but my eldest started high school and wanted a bike so we got him one, then my youngest wanted one, then they wanted me to ride with them so I now have one.
All 2nd hand btw
I have some questions I'm hoping for some help with please:
1, the kids have Apollo Gridlock bikes with 24" tyres, I can't seem to find a reliable source of info on the correct tyre pressures, can anyone advise please?
2, My bike, pictured, is quite a lot fancier than I'm used to; it's got disc brakes and fancy gear shifters
Anyway, I've gone to pump up the rear tyre using my trusty electric tyre pump which serves the cars and motorbike fine, however my bike has an odd valve, much smaller and longer than the ones on the kids bikes which are standard car tyres valves
Any idea what these valves are called please ? Hoping I can buy an adaptor for the pump
Photo of my bike for reference, it's a Scott ps55 I think
There are a number of bike tyre valves.All 2nd hand btw
I have some questions I'm hoping for some help with please:
1, the kids have Apollo Gridlock bikes with 24" tyres, I can't seem to find a reliable source of info on the correct tyre pressures, can anyone advise please?
2, My bike, pictured, is quite a lot fancier than I'm used to; it's got disc brakes and fancy gear shifters
Anyway, I've gone to pump up the rear tyre using my trusty electric tyre pump which serves the cars and motorbike fine, however my bike has an odd valve, much smaller and longer than the ones on the kids bikes which are standard car tyres valves
Any idea what these valves are called please ? Hoping I can buy an adaptor for the pump
Photo of my bike for reference, it's a Scott ps55 I think
With pictures
https://www.michelin.co.uk/bicycle/advice-bicycle/...
It'll be a Presta valve. I got a pump that can do both types which works for me and the kids bikes and simple to switch, wouldn't be without it now.
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/...
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/...
Roboticarm said:
1, the kids have Apollo Gridlock bikes with 24" tyres, I can't seem to find a reliable source of info on the correct tyre pressures, can anyone advise please?
Tyre pressure varies according to the weight of the rider and bike along with tyre size. So for the same rider wider tyres are run at lower pressures. For example on my MTB with 2" (50mm) wide tyres I run around 40psi. On my road bike with 28mm tyres I run around 70-80psi. The pressure should be a fraction lower on the front as it carries less weight. Two riders on identical bike should be running different pressures if one is a significantly different weight to the other.The pressure in the tyre should be enough that when the rider is on the bike the tyre squashes and loses around 15-20% of the height between the rim and the road.
If tyres are too hard they give a rough ride, if too soft there is more rollling resistance and a risk of pinch flats.
For average size kids on 24x1.75 tyres maybe start around 30-35psi. Sit them on the bikes. If the tyres don't squash at all the pressure is to high. If they squash a little bit the pressure is about right. If they squash a third or more they are too soft.
As in this article.
https://bikesportbicycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2...
Edited by irc on Tuesday 19th May 23:42
Edited by irc on Tuesday 19th May 23:44
Forgive me if I’m being flippant, but as an occasional cyclist of 30 years I’ve never once thought to check the pressure of a bike tyre.
Pump it up until it feels firm when you squeeze it with your thumb!
You’ve already got the correct answer on the valve, little bike pumps in puncture repair kits normally have an adapter.
Pump it up until it feels firm when you squeeze it with your thumb!
You’ve already got the correct answer on the valve, little bike pumps in puncture repair kits normally have an adapter.
As said tyre pressure is not a set value it depends on tyre size and rider weight and the surface your riding on.
That being said having the wrong pressure by a few psi isnt going to make a massive difference so pump them up to 30psi as a start point and see how they look and feel
Your valves will be presta valves, all bike shops will sell an adaptor or you will need to buy a pump that covers both types of valve
That being said having the wrong pressure by a few psi isnt going to make a massive difference so pump them up to 30psi as a start point and see how they look and feel
Your valves will be presta valves, all bike shops will sell an adaptor or you will need to buy a pump that covers both types of valve
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