General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike tires for heavier people Rss Feed  
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2013-03-06 12:19 PM

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Geneva, IL
Subject: Bike tires for heavier people

OKAY! I did a triathlon last year and I am doing the same one this year in June (YAY!) but I have a serious question about bike tries for heavy people. My back tire looked FLAT while I was riding and I know that's because it's holding up a lot of weight.  The second I got off, my tire was normal again.

Not going to lie, I am around about 220 and I am looking for some good advice on what tires I should be doing. I am still reall a newbie to all of this stuff.

Do I need to change out both tires or just the back one? Right now, I have 2 hybrid tires (my bike is a hybrid from REI). Can someone give me some advice on tires for heavy people so I don't look like a fool going in to talk to someone at a bike shop? I know I need a better tire that can tolerate more pressure but that's as much as I know haha

thanks!

Katie



2013-03-06 12:25 PM
in reply to: #4648692

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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people
Ktbollman - 2013-03-06 12:19 PM

OKAY! I did a triathlon last year and I am doing the same one this year in June (YAY!) but I have a serious question about bike tries for heavy people. My back tire looked FLAT while I was riding and I know that's because it's holding up a lot of weight.  The second I got off, my tire was normal again.

Not going to lie, I am around about 220 and I am looking for some good advice on what tires I should be doing. I am still reall a newbie to all of this stuff.

Do I need to change out both tires or just the back one? Right now, I have 2 hybrid tires (my bike is a hybrid from REI). Can someone give me some advice on tires for heavy people so I don't look like a fool going in to talk to someone at a bike shop? I know I need a better tire that can tolerate more pressure but that's as much as I know haha

thanks!

Katie

 

Sounds like you need to increase the air pressure. I am ont sure what type of tire your using so I will not make a recomendation but try increasing your air pressure by 10-20psi and see if that helps. I bet it will save you a ton of energy and some cash

2013-03-06 1:06 PM
in reply to: #4648705

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Geneva, IL
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people
Tire pressure was good - I just had my bike in the shop just before my triathlon and they checked it all out and made sure my tires had the right pressure.
2013-03-06 1:23 PM
in reply to: #4648804

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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people

Good for who? Good for you or good for a shop employee?

My moutain bike I can get away with 35psi in my tires on my cross bike I am running 50-55psi in my tires and my road bike is well about 120psi.

A buddy of mine that runs the same tire on his MTN bike is at 20psi on his cross bike is at 30 psi and his road bike is 100psi

The difference is I wieght 245 he weighs 160. The more weight your putting on those tires the more air pressure you need to support that weight. Bring your bike back to the shop ask them to check your air pressure, then climb on the bike while still at the shop and have them look again. There is supposed to be a bit of defromation in the tire (mostly the rear) when you have weight on it but it should not look flat 

2013-03-06 1:30 PM
in reply to: #4648804

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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people

Ktbollman - 2013-03-06 2:06 PM Tire pressure was good - I just had my bike in the shop just before my triathlon and they checked it all out and made sure my tires had the right pressure.

With all due respect to your bike shop, tires lose pressure over time and pressure can also be affected by temperature.  That's why it's standard practice for most folks to top off their tires before riding, or certainly just prior to a race.  Heavier riders generally need to run higher pressure.  I'm about 190 and use 120 lbs in mine (the max recommended pressure will be molded on the sidewall of the tire).  If you don't already have one, a floor pump with a built-in pressure gauge is a good investment.

Mark

2013-03-06 1:44 PM
in reply to: #4648804

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Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people

Ktbollman - 2013-03-06 1:06 PM Tire pressure was good - I just had my bike in the shop just before my triathlon and they checked it all out and made sure my tires had the right pressure.

Tires can drop pressure quickly.  I air mine up before every ride which are typically one or two days apart. 

However, to answer your original question I ride and have always ridden Gatorskins.  But again like most replies have said it isn't a tire issues its an air pressure issue.  Rear tire probably needs to be 100 to 110 psi.  Front tire 90-100.  I started my journey at 260 and if the pressure is right then tire won't appear flat.



2013-03-06 1:59 PM
in reply to: #4648692

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Newmarket, NH
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people
Ditto all the comments about checking tire pressure right before the race -- I bring a pump w/ me and top them off while setting up transition.  At the risk of sounding pedantic, there is a trade-off with tire pressure:  the higher the pressure, the rougher the ride.  The goal is to have the tire pressure as low as possible without noticeably increasing the rolling resistance of the tire and thus making it harder to move the bike.  One possible solution is to look for wider tires -- the widest your bike can handle (but not the nobby mountain bike tires, you want the smooth road tire aspect of the hybrid tires you have).  The wider the tires, the lower the pressure you can use before you look like you're flatting out, which will give you a more comfortable ride.  Ask at the bike shop, or hunt around online. 
2013-03-06 2:57 PM
in reply to: #4648692

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Pittsburgh, PA
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people

I've seen this posted a few times. So what pressure does your tires say on the sidewall? My vittoria zaffiro's say 140 max but I keep them around 130, helps the ride feel a bit softer.



Edited by wolfador 2013-03-06 2:57 PM
2013-03-07 7:35 AM
in reply to: #4648839

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Michigan
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people
LukeS - 2013-03-06 2:23 PM

Good for who? Good for you or good for a shop employee?

 

This.  I usually pump in at the top end of the manufacturer's limits.

2013-03-08 11:37 AM
in reply to: #4648692

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, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people
I am also 220, and I always inflate the tire to max pressure, regardless of the style of bike. And all are correct, rubber is an organic compound, so high pressure air can pass through it, though very slowly. And no valve is 100% perfect. Inflate, or at least check, your tires right before every ride.
2013-03-08 3:20 PM
in reply to: #4648692

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Geneva, IL
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people

Thanks for all of your input.

I have this fear that my tire will pop if I over-inflate. I will check out what is written on my tires and check the pressure with my tire pump I have. Thanks again!



2013-03-10 3:50 PM
in reply to: #4648692

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Regular
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Houston, Texas
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people
I'm 255 and keep my Specialized Armadillos, which is their version of Gatorskins, at 120 lbs. As someone else said, air them before every ride!Let us know how it goes.

Edited by Maniton 2013-03-10 3:51 PM
2014-06-03 4:08 PM
in reply to: Ktbollman

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25
Cary, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people
I always check my tire pressure right before I ride or before I drop my bike off in the transition area. I weigh 338 lbs and ride at 120 psi.
2014-06-03 9:39 PM
in reply to: Ktbollman

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Expert
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Fernandina Beach, FL
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people
Just to agree with everyone else here. I started riding at 270 lbs and now down to 225 lbs. Still large and ride my 700x23 @ 120 PSI in training with no problems. In races I run a 20mm up front at 110 psi and 23mm at 120 psi in the rear and haven't flatted in a race (knocks on wood) yet. Sounds like a problem with your LBS and/or tire pressure and not so much your tires. I check my pressure before almost every ride, depending on last ride distance and change in temp.
2014-06-05 7:13 AM
in reply to: Ktbollman

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Wilson, NC (East of Raleigh, NC)
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people

Katie,

Just because they checked the air in the shop doesn't mean it's ready to go.

I check my tires every time before I ride. Just make sure you own a bike pump and check it before you ride. Secondly, as another poster suggested you can add another 10 to 15 psi over the recommended on the tire without any problems. It will help.

GOOD LUCK! Congrats on your race.
2015-04-01 10:10 AM
in reply to: Ktbollman


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Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people
I'm in the same weight class and with the hybrid tires I was flatting once a week so I switched to 700x32 ultra hard shell gator skins front and rear, I pump them to 120lbs and check them everyday I have over 500 road miles and almost 500 trainer miles no flats. Very pleased with them and they are fast well fast for me. hope this helps


2015-05-16 10:04 PM
in reply to: Ktbollman

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100
Subject: RE: Bike tires for heavier people
I'm 255 lbs and ride 3 times a week. Just like everyone else, I check my psi before every ride. I ride continental 4000's. 120 psi, 23 mm front and rear. A little pricey, but awesome tire!
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike tires for heavier people Rss Feed