Tires And Tubes - Priority Bicycle Owner's Manual

G. Tires and Tubes
1. Tires
Bicycle tires are available in many designs and specifications, ranging from general-purpose designs to tires designed to
perform best under very specific weather or terrain conditions. If, once you've gained experience with your new bike, you feel
that a different tire might better suit your riding needs, your dealer can help you select the most appropriate design.
The size, pressure rating, and on some high-performance tires the specific recommended use, are marked on the sidewall
of the tire (see fig. 17). The part of this information which is most important to you is Tire Pressure. But some wheel rim
manufacturers also specify maximum tire pressure with a label on the rim.
WARNING: Never inflate a tire beyond the maximum pressure marked on the tire's sidewall or the wheel rim. If the
maximum pressure rating for the wheel rim is lower than the maximum pressure shown on the tire, always use the lower
rating. Exceeding the recommended maximum pressure may blow the tire off the rim or damage the wheel rim, which could
cause damage to the bike and injury to the rider and bystanders.
The best and safest way to inflate a bicycle tire to the correct pressure is with a bicycle pump which has a built-in pressure
gauge.
WARNING: There is a safety risk in using gas station air hoses or other air compressors. They are not made for bicycle
tires. They move a large volume of air very rapidly, and will raise the pressure in your tire very rapidly, which could cause the
tube to explode.
Tire pressure is given either as maximum pressure or as a pressure range. How a tire performs under different terrain or
weather conditions depends largely on tire pressure. Inflating the tire to near its maximum recommended pressure gives the
lowest rolling resistance; but also produces the harshest ride. High pressures work best on smooth, dry pavement.
Very low pressures, at the bottom of the recommended pressure range, give the best performance on smooth, slick terrain
such as hard-packed clay, and on deep, loose surfaces such as deep, dry sand.
Tire pressure that is too low for your weight and the riding conditions can cause a puncture of the tube by allowing the tire
to deform sufficiently to pinch the inner tube between the rim and the riding surface.
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