All about bicycles, electric-assisted bikes, technology and safety in the press

In our daily work as we deal with bicycle safety, technology and user manuals we come across lots of safety risks. The most frequent ones are published in articles of the leading German special-interest magazines TOUR – Europas Rennrad-Magazin Nr. 1, BIKE – Das Mountainbike Magazin Europas Nr. 1 and E-Bike – Das Pedelec-Magazin to make this information important for the sector accessible to a wider public.

For many years now the Eurobike Show Daily accompanying the annual international Eurobike Show has given us the opportunity to publish our perspective on major developments in the cycle industry in full-page articles.

We also speak regularly in independent lectures about all topics relating to bicycle technology and bicycle market. In addition, we are regularly cited by further special-interest magazines or trade journals as well as more and more by radio and television and in their media reports, which shows us that we are completely right with our information. The section NEWS informs you about the latest news from our specialist fields. The reports and publications of this section are listed chronologically or according to topics of interest.

TOUR 07/2013
Reading time 1:00 minute

"Tyre pressure"

Reader’s question

Unfortunately, I cannot follow your recommendation about the tyre pressure. The formula "rider plus weight of ready for use bicycle, divided by 10, minus 1 in bar" only appears reasonable to me for riders from a weight of 80 kilograms on. But many hobby cyclists weigh less than 70 kilos. The calculation of my tyre pressure for example with your formula (63 kg plus 9.4 kg for bicycle including accessories, apparel, etc. = 72.4 kg) would lead to a tyre pressure of about 6.24 bar. This is not ridable for me! In my opinion, the indication on the tyre with approx. 7 to 9 bar is the better choice.

Reply by Dirk Zedler, TOUR technology expert and bicycle expert

Our rule of thumb has proven highly inside the editorial team as well as outside by many road racers. I’m riding my 11-kg-rain bike, depending on the seasonal period, with a body weight of 67 to 70 kg for work out with less than 7 bar and thus yet a little below this formula. With this pressure in my 23-mm tyres I don’t have any punctures. In races I orient myself towards the formula and ride with a little more pressure, as I cannot avoid every pothole in a race. If you don’t feel good with the tyre pressure recommended by us than inflate your tyres with a little more air. You herewith achieve a little less rolling resistance on very smooth, tarred roads, but give away comfort and rolling resistance on rough surfaces.

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