If you weigh like 50-60kg then you might find 80psi a bit more comfortable, if you’re a fatty then 120psi might be spot on.
I know a guy who’s ran 180psi in a race before. He said it was uncomfortable but that was it. And I’ve got back from long rides and found out I’ve only had about 60psi or so in, so don’t worry too much about it.
As all above have stated, there are clearly variables, percieved speed & comfort, rider weight, tyre width, surface condition. As a starting point 80 -110 psi seems about it. I regularly ride/race on an airfield surface which is superb, maximum high pressure works well in those conditions.
About 110psi here. Thats on 23s and i’m the best part of 14 stone. 😕
Out of interest, what are people running on their cx bikes? I tend to have mine fairly hard for the road stuff but it feels a bit harsh in the off road sections of my rides (and i cant be faffed to stop and change pressures mid ride).
I wouldn’t really worry about it too much, as long as you’re not getting lots of pinch-flats from potholes but also not bouncing around all over the shop then you’re fine. Anything over about 120psi though should be reserved for the track…
125psi (max), 64kg, Conti GP4000. I float out of the saddle quite a lot as Brighton roads are horrendous. I really feel when the pressure has dropped in the tyres, they lose their ‘zip’. I have some Bar Phat under my tape which I think makes this comfortable to do. It’s quite comfy having chubby bars!
Don’t think I’ve ever run mine at more than 90psi and I’m 80kg.
I read somewhere that higher pressures actually increase rolling resistance as the tarmac is no perfectly flat and it allows the tyre to deform over the uneven surface. Same arguement as used for there being less rolling resistance with tubeless running at lower pressures.
I run my road tubeless at around 85psi (front) and 90psi (rear)
I disagree with the comment that higher pressures = more grip
I find there is much more grip at 90psi than 110psi, as the tyre is much more supple. I find that anything approaching 110psi is both jarring and much less grippy. Maybe if you live in France…
Rarely more than 110. More likely ITRO 100 with perhaps a bit less in the front for cornering grip.
I have some Vittoria Evo Corsa CX clinchers, which are designed as an “open tubular”, and theoretically go up to 145psi. They ride great at no more than 120.
My PR3s are never more than 110, even on a crit circuit*
I find anything between 80 and 110psi to be fine, so I go up to 110psi and let them slowly deflate over a few weeks and repeat when they start to feel squidgy.
same as jimmyjames, I use my bike every day and the psi drops from ~100 to ~80 over the course of a week.
I run the front at 100 and the rear at 110, because that feels about right – no other reason (23C Michelins).
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saying that, I had the rear at 110 at the weekend and got a lot of flex on when sprinting and the rear end lifted up, came back down a bit sideways and blew the tyre off the rim – blamed a high psi for that (and erratic sprinting).
120-140 and 72kg. I’m running 23mm Scwalbe Durano plus puncture proof tyres so think a higher pressure improves rolling resistance. It also reduces the time between top ups.
On the Michelin 23mm race tyres, I run slightly less.
About 100psi for me, bit less in wet weather or on bad roads, bit more on good dry roads. Last week in Spain I was running about 110psi cos the roads were SO good. 🙂
The tyres on my track bike have 120-130psi.
Its an interesting thing – harder doesn’t always equate to faster. This is only true on super smooth surfaces ie, a track etc. For typical roads if you are pumpped up hard your tyre will be bouncing off the surface alot and you will infact be loosing speed and efficiency due to not being in contact with the road. So in general, as some have said already, dont go above 100 psi for 23’s.
