Flutterby™! : underinflated 2012-05-31 01:56:23.300135+00

underinflated

2012-05-31 01:56:23.300135+00 by meuon 4 comments

I've been riding my recumbent again for a few weeks, trying to get back into some kind of shape. It's been a drag, I just have not been able to get cruising like I used to, and of course I have blamed myself for being very out of shape (partially true) and kinda depressed about it. I keep thinking this used to be easier.

Turns out I've been chronically underinflated. I'd just gotten used to it.

I've been pumping my tires up as hard as they would go, with my small bike pump. The feel hard with just a little give when I squeeze them, but I had not had a gauge handy. Tonight I used one of the free heavy duty bicycle repair stands bike pumps. These are stationed on the river walk and handle both types of valves and have a gauge.

=~30psi != 80psi - Wow, what a difference. I think my average speed doubled.

I've also destroyed the stock headset on that bike, and hope my new Chris King Headset shows up soon, should make turning smooth and easy again. I'll be picking up a new bike pump as well.

Yeah, the Topeak is the one pump that makes the CO₂ cartridge guys put away their kit when I pull it out. It's got a tube so you don't accidentally shear off your valve stem, the gauge so you can see how much you've got in the tire, and an okay form factor for pumping.

And I've felt sluggish, checked my tires, and realized I was in the high 80s rather than the low 100s. Tire pressure makes a huge difference.

I think that's why I did not see the underinflation, I could not see the rear wheel. Bought a "Topeak Road Morph G" via Amazon this morning, will flip it to Presta mode.

Weight is distributed more to the rear on a recumbent - which is also your drive wheel. You gotta keep that thing pumped up until you redistribute enough of your own weight!