tyre pressure

shamrock55

just got a new road bike yesterday and took it out for a spin today about 20kms im new to cycling so dont know if this is normal or not but my tyres are rock hard and are 125psi combined with the bloody roads(country) and saddle my arse is worn off me i enjoyed the cycling only for this thing is could i let some air out of the tyres would that make the ride a bit smoother or is this the norm and i just have to get used to it oh and my tyres are 25mm thick should i get thicker ones

2old4this

125psi is a lot. I'm 12.5 stone and pump mine to 110psi.

shamrock55

well im not sure if they are pumped to 125psi but it says that on side of tyre and they are rock hard so im just presuming

**Timbuk2**

If you're new to cycling, a sore arse is perfectly normal!

It goes away - you'll be eventually able to sit on the saddle for hours without feeling pain (or feeling anything at all, really!).

Cycling shorts (if you don't already have them) help with this problem also.

Hail 2 Da Thief

I run 100 psi to both front & rear when using 25mm tyres. I weigh 73kg.

Have you got a track pump?

Paul Kiernan

I presume you are wearing padded shorts?

This chart indicates required pressure for different tyres sizes and weights. If you go below this you'll be tormented by punctures due to tube getting "pinched" between rim and road!

Eaglebridie 32

shamrock55 wrote: »

just got a new road bike yesterday and took it out for a spin today about 20kms im new to cycling so dont know if this is normal or not but my tyres are rock hard and are 125psi combined with the bloody roads(country) and saddle my arse is worn off me i enjoyed the cycling only for this thing is could i let some air out of the tyres would that make the ride a bit smoother or is this the norm and i just have to get used to it oh and my tyres are 25mm thick should i get thicker ones[/QUOTE

Likewise, new to cycling, got my new Trek 2.1 yesterday and had my first spin today. 22k on a flat route @ 24km/hr average. Tyre pressure 110psi which felt ok ( I'm 95kg). Very enjoyable spin, can't wait to get out again on saturday, arse pretty ok,probalby due to good quality shorts. Just a question for you more experienced cyslists. Decided against cycling shoes to start with but soles of the feet most painful while cycling- would shoes make a big difference in this regard ?

shamrock55

i weigh about 90kg and i wasnt wearing cycle shorts but have some ordered i know they will make a big difference and also have a pump with gauge ordered too it just feels like unless im on a perfect tarmac surface im riding over cobbles:D

victorcarrera

A couple of things to keep in mind.
New road bikes are very often sold with cheap saddles and no pedals because both are personal choices for the roadie who will most likely have their own.
Generally a wider 145<155mm padded or gel saddle with channel will bring much relief compared to what you have. (Experiment). Decent saddles can be got from CRC for 25 to 30 Euro.
If you feel you are sitting on the soft bits the saddle is probably too narrow, you should be supported by the sit bones.
Even for a regular 20Km spin in the beginning I would advise good padded cycling specific bib shorts.
It could take a few months to get accustomed to it.
CRC also have shock absorber seat posts with spring and damper.
If the roads you prefer are rough consider buying a hybrid with 35mm tyres also and save your roadbike for better roads.
I have both racing bikes and hybrids. So horses for courses.

victorcarrera

...Decided against cycling shoes to start with but soles of the feet most painful while cycling- would shoes make a big difference in this regard ?

When I started first I was able to get up to 100Km with toe clips and runners.
But then started getting pains in the arches.
I then bought Nike cycling shoes which have rigid soles to protect the arches and the ball of the foot from the sharp edges of the grip bar on the pedals. These are great because you can walk around in them also.
Thereafter you can get clipless pedals and cycling shoes but if you are not cycling competitively I wouldn't bother with them.

shamrock55

victorcarrera wrote: »

A couple of things to keep in mind.
New road bikes are very often sold with cheap saddles and no pedals because both are personal choices for the roadie who will most likely have their own.
Generally a wider 145<155mm padded or gel saddle with channel will bring much relief compared to what you have. (Experiment). Decent saddles can be got from CRC for 25 to 30 Euro.
If you feel you are sitting on the soft bits the saddle is probably too narrow, you should be supported by the sit bones.
Even for a regular 20Km spin in the beginning I would advise good padded cycling specific bib shorts.
It could take a few months to get accustomed to it.
CRC also have shock absorber seat posts with spring and damper.
If the roads you prefer are rough consider buying a hybrid with 35mm tyres also and save your roadbike for better roads.
I have both racing bikes and hybrids. So horses for courses.

ha ha if the roads you prefer are rough i love it:D
mate i live in west cork they are the only roads we got:D

victorcarrera

shamrock55 wrote: »

ha ha if the roads you prefer are rough i love it:D
mate i live in west cork they are the only roads we got:D

I havn't been over that way for a while but last time I was in Bantry and over to Beal na Blath they were OK.
Well I live in Co Meath and we are very lucky here in that the roads are by comparison very good for road bike. However I regularly holiday in west clare and I love to explore the smaller roads off the beaten track. These can vary between coarse tarmac and loose gravel tracks. The triple hybrid is ideal for this and it is very enjoyable cylcing.
You could always sneak across the border into the Kingdom for a spin on some quality roads then.:D

shamrock55

funny you say that actually cos i live in bantry:D
im gonna make my way to glengariff in next few days roads pretty good there itll be awhile before im going over the cork and kerry mountains though id say;)

Paul Kiernan

Being a bit of a wimp I wear these padded boxers under my shorts on long spins:o. Lidl were selling something similiar last week.

I think it's because the shorts I use are relatively cheap ones and don't have great pads. A lot of people here swear by Assos shorts but AFAIK they cost over a £100 a pop!