Improper tire pressure is perhaps the number one maintenance issue we encounter here in the shop.  You can greatly reduce your chance of getting flats and ride your bike much easier if your tires are inflated to the correct pressure.

Here are some points to note about tire pressure:

1.  Your tires will lose air over time.  This is because bicycle tubes are made of a porous rubber.  The "pores" in the rubber compound are much larger than that of an air molecule.  Because of this, a tire will go soft over time and need to be reinflated.

2.  You should air up your tires once every two weeks.  Always use a bike pump and never go to the gas station!  Gas station air compressors are set to such a high pressure (to inflate voluminous car tires) that they easily can burst a bicycle tire which is a much lower volume than an car tire.

3.  The sidewall of your bike tire will tell you the proper inflation pressure.  Always check the sidewall of the tire since different tires require different pressures.

4.  A properly inflated tire makes it harder for you to get a flat.  If you can push your thumb into the tire, imagine how easy it will be for a curb or a rock on the ground to puncture the tube and cause a flat when you are riding your bike.  The harder the tire, the harder it will be for something to penetrate through it.

5.  A properly inflated tire makes your bike much easier to ride!  The harder the tire, the lower the rolling resistance and the easier it is for you to pedal your bike.

For more information on this topic, call or stop by The Bicycle Wheel today.  We are your first and last stop for all of your cycling needs!