12 psi sounds about right for a true 3" tyre.

I had similar when I got a proper gauge, my pump over reads by a few psi. Don't worry about the actual numbers, go on what feels good.

I think it's easy to get stuck in an old school mindset where it's almost madness to go lower than 30 psi but technology has changed so just experiment!

I got one when I was racing CX as a few PSi either way can make all the difference, ironically my pump was a consistent 2psi out across the typical range, so I ended up self adjusting the figures off that.

Trackpumps are wildly inaccurate at MTB pressures if you've got a standard 'up to 160psi' gauge on them. They're only really accurate around the middle of the scale - which is 80-120ish on most.

I've put an £5 Wrekin low pressure guage on my Rennkompressor so that it's useful from 15-30

Gauge on my Renkompressor is too far away to read these days ;o)

Accu gauge looks lovely - what's it like to use?

12psi is what I run my 29x3 DHR2 at. Starts to get too squirmy below that.

Accu gauge looks lovely – what’s it like to use?

Great, had one for about 5 years now, not the kinda gauge you'd keep in your pack, but great for the workshop.

I’ve got one of the 0-30 psi ones. Really like it.

So wide range of tyres from DH to kids - which range gauge to get? 0-30 or 0-60?

I don't ever go over 30psi fr my tyres 23-24F 27-28R but the BMX and kids bikes might be a bit higher. Then again the higher the pressure the less critical it feels it is. Looks like I've talked myself into the 0-30 ;o). It's mostly for m anyway lol

Funnily I got a gauge today too and I’ve been running a bit lower than my track pump reads. 18-19psi on my 29x2.4 Maxxis Dissectors. Upped it to 21-22psi to see how that feels

If you always use the same tyre pressure gauge does it matter how accurate it is as you learn what the right pressure is based on that gauge

If you always use the same tyre pressure gauge does it matter how accurate it is as you learn what the right pressure is based on that gauge

You must ride alone !!!!!
There must be accurate data to contribute meaningfully to the never ending spin psi banter 🙂

I’ve put an £5 Wrekin low pressure guage on my Rennkompressor so that it’s useful from 15-30

@b33k34 don't suppose you've got a link? I've been idly trying to remember to buy one for my Rennkompressor for ages and couldn't find anything suitable last time I looked.

Wrekin

50mm 1/4" back connection 0-4 bar 60psi.
I reckoned this one was most useful in the 20-30psi range
A whole £5.80 delivered.

You must ride alone !!!!!

Yeah that is mainly true...clearly something Ive been missing out 😂

No it doesn't really matter what your psi is or what gauge you use, go with a pressure you like regardless of what it is.

It can just be interesting to find out you've been running much lower pressures than you thought, and in my case lower than I thought was possible.

@b33k34 ace, cheers, had just found it!
Looks like they're all BSP, and my understanding was that the SKS was trapped for 1/4 NPT, did you retap or just use a bunch of PTFE? Was my understanding that the two weren't compatible in 1/4"?

Looks like they’re all BSP, and my understanding was that the SKS was trapped for 1/4 NPT, did you retap or just use a bunch of PTFE? Was my understanding that the two weren’t compatible in 1/4″?

Was a couple of years ago and I'm always flummoxed by threads (or at least how to measure them) I just stuck some callipers on the existing gauge, measured it as 1/4" and hope for the best. Don't remember it being an issue but may have used a wrap of PtFE (or liquid ptfe). It's been fine.

I got a topeak digital pressure guage and had a similar reaction!
My rigid SS was at about 14 PSI...!!! squidgy lushneyy, but I got freaked out and popped it up to about 19!

DrP

Since having a gauge I regularly ride my Jeffsy and Capra (2.4 Minions or the like) at 18 psi, or perhaps 20 for rocky welsh stuff. I'm a fat 85kg's and don't ride light.

I think tyres have got better and rims wider, so pinch flats are rare now compared to the early years where we all had narrow rims.

Experiment as others have said, go as low as you can till it squirms, then pop a bit more in.

Trackpumps are wildly inaccurate at MTB pressures

My Revolution (Edinburgh Bike Coop) track pump is absolutely cock on at MTB pressures 🙂 At last compared against my Topeak gauge, and consistency is what matters eh 🙂

Still struggling to believe my accugauge...

Today I was running my 50mm gravelkings at 22psi front and rear, felt perfect offroad and fast on the road

It doesn't really matter what the gauge read, it could be .75psi as long as it accurately measures it each time. So if you are running 12psi and its working for you in terms of grip and flats, I wouldn't put more air in just because the new gauge has informed you of the true pressure.

For the same reason, I don't use a gauge normally as I pump my tyres based on how squishy they feel and how much they deform when I sit on the bike.

@legometeorology Where did you get your accu gauge from? They used to be only economical to purchase in bulk as part of a syndicate etc. I would like one also.

@lotto

Mine was just off ebay -- it was tricky to find from what I remember, only one seller and not many left

@legometeorology 👍 cheers.

Just bought a Topeak D2 and I love it. Seems more consistent than my manual gauge. Bit rich at £25 but I like tracking how the bike feels at different pressures across different riding conditions.

My Revolution (Edinburgh Bike Coop) track pump is absolutely cock on at MTB pressures 🙂

Its a rare gem of a cheap trackpump.