FOUR > TECHNICAL INFORMATION
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WARNING: Never inflate a tire beyond maximum
pressure marked on the tire’s sidewall. Exceeding the
recommended maximum pressure may blow the tire off the 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 can quickly raise the pressure in your tire, which can
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 slightly
near its maximum recommended pressure gives the lowest rolling
resistance, but also produces the bumpiest or most sensitive ride
depending on the type of terrain you ride. 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 enough to pinch the inner tube
between the rim and the riding surface.
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.
CAUTION: Pencil type automotive tire gauges can be
inaccurate and should not be relied upon for consistent,
accurate pressure readings. Instead, use a high quality dial
gauge obtained from your local bike dealer.
Ask your dealer to recommend the best tire pressure for the kind of
riding you will most often do and have the dealer inflate your tires to
that pressure. Then, check the inflation so you’ll know how correctly
inflated tires should look and feel. Some tires may need to be brought
up to pressure every week or two.
Some special high-performance tires have unidirectional treads:
their tread pattern is designed to work better in one direction than in
the other. The sidewall marking on a unidirectional tire will have an
arrow showing the correct rotation direction. If you choose to use
unidirectional tires, be sure that they are mounted to rotate in the
correct direction.
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