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Tyre inspection
As tyres are the rider’s only contact with the road, correct tyre maintenance is crucial
for stability and safety. Consider the following when inspecting your tyres:
Tread: Check the tread for signs of excessive wear or flat spots, and cuts or damage.
Caution: Riding on excessively worn or damaged tyres may be hazardous so tyres should
be replaced.
Inflation: Maintain tyre pressure at the level recommended on the tyre sidewalls. Preferably
use a tyre gauge and a hand pump to inflate rather than a service station pump. Caution:
Using a service station pump for inflation can lead to sudden over inflation, potentially
resulting in a blow out.
Valves: A flat tyre is not only inconvenient but potentially dangerous. To minimise the
likelihood of a flat tyre from air leaking from a valve, ensure valve caps are fitted and that
valves are clean.
Bead setting: Ensure the bead is correctly fitted in the rim when inflating or changing tyres.
Recommended Tyre Pressures:
Tyre pressure directly influences the performance of a tyre on different surfaces and in
varying weather conditions. Recommended tyre pressure is given either as maximum
pressure or as a pressure range.
For riding on smooth, slick terrain such as hard-packed clay and on deep, loose surfaces
such as deep, dry sand, tyres should be inflated to lower pressures, at the bottom of the
recommended pressure range. This helps to cushion the rider against the impact.
Using high pressures, at the top of the recommended pressure range enables a faster
but rougher ride. These pressures are ideal for riding on a smooth, dry pavement.
Failure to sufficiently inflate the tyres according to the rider’s weight and intended use can
cause the tube to puncture.
Tyres should be inflated to the recommended pressure moulded on the sidewall of the
bicycle’s tyres. Use this chart as a reference to convert the recommended pressure to the
units displayed on your pump.
Caution:
Service station pumps and pencil type automotive tyre gauges should not be
relied upon for consistent, accurate readings. A good quality dial gauge should
be used as it is far more accurate and reliable
.
10
0.70
69
20
1.37
138
30
2.07
207
40
2.76
276
50
3.45
345
60
4.14
414
70
4.83
482
80
5.52
551
90
6.21
620
100
8.89
689
110
7.58
758
120
8.27
827
130
8.96
896
140
9.65
965
150
10.34
1032
160
11.03
1103
PSI
BAR
kPa
PSI
BAR
kPa
APOM0312
Apollo Bicycle Company Pty. Ltd. ABN: 60 001 914 469