What is my Tire Pressure?

Adam Davi is looking for a pressure gauge and advice on which tires we like to recommend. We have a few suggestions about the pressure gauge and which tires we like to use. We also talk about what you have to think about when buying road bike tires

Question: Hi guys,
I am trying to find a simple pressure gauge I can keep in the tailpack of my bike. I don’t trust the gas station air pump gauges and I haven’t been able to find a decent cheap gauge that’ll fit presta valves.
Way back when, I remember having an analog pressure gauge. It was French but I haven’t been able to find anything close. Any ideas?
Also, I read your Hutchinson tire review, are there other tires you recommend? Are all tubes the same?
Thanks, Adam.

Hi Adam,
I’ve not seen many pressure gauges available, Zefal make a small gauge that would fit in your saddle bag, but what I have found the most useful is a mini pump with a built in gauge, there are quite a few around, one of the best and smallest being the Crank Bros Power pump with built in gauge. Topeak and Blackburn also manufacture some different pumps with gauges.

The Hutchinson tires, we found lasted the longest on the roads here in this part of Spain. There are many other good tires for a similar price, we also like Continentals and Vittoria, there are other tires, but we have ridden these and liked these three the best. Specialized, Clement and Michelin are also very good, lots of things can influence which tires you should buy and you tend to find out through trial and error.

You need to consider the road conditions in your area; if you have a rough road surface then you need to go for a heavier tire, with a bit more rubber on the tread. If you live where the roads are smooth and there is none or very little gravel then you can go for a lighter and possibly a slick treaded tire. The more you spend you usually get a lighter, more responsive tire, but it tends not to last very long, you need to go for something that you can afford and you are happy with.

No, not all inner tubes are the same, most are butyl, black tubes. There are also latex tubes, much thinner and lighter, they roll better and some say they are less likely to puncture, nit sure about that, but I do know they are much more expensive. I hope this helps.