Tyre pressure

Danny UK · 28 Jun 2017 at 11:55

I bought a road bike a few years back, but didn't use it and it's been in storage ever since. I got it out a couple of weeks ago to put it together and I pumped up the tyres. It's been just standing for a couple of weeks and the tyre pressure has dropped significantly. Is this normal, i.e. do I need to re inflate weekly or does it sound like the inner tubes are shot?

UTmaniac · 28 Jun 2017 at 12:00

IIRC latex tubes can lose a significant amount of pressure over 24 hours compared to butyl.

MM-Seat · 28 Jun 2017 at 21:26

I find I need to pump my tyres up every other ride as they lose some pressure

Bear · 29 Jun 2017 at 06:50

Yep I generally pump my tyres up once a week, not because they are flat but because they lose a bit of pressure

mattyfez · 29 Jun 2017 at 08:55

My mtb tyres loose a couple of PSI over a week or two, I set to around 30psi.
Would the effect be greater with the higher pressure on a road bike I wonder.

Danny UK · 29 Jun 2017 at 12:51

Thanks for the replies. I'll stick with the current tubes for now.

Roady · 29 Jun 2017 at 16:44

Running smaller 23/25mm tyres I usually found I'd have to check them every week or two @ 90/95 PSI. Now I'm running 28mm's I check them less and generally add air probably every 4-5 weeks @75/80 PSI. They just lose less (due to the lower pressure) and the higher volume means you're less likely to notice/feel a 10/15 PSI drop (and also less likely to pinch flat because of it).

Swapping out your tubes will probably 'solve' your problem - although tubes & tyres tend to degrade slightly over time. Until then check them before each ride - you'll soon be able to guess how 'good' they are with your thumb rather than using a pump/gauge.

mattyfez · 8 Jul 2017 at 14:07

Yeh all tubes will let a bit of air out over time depending on the particular rubber used, and i imagine a higher pressure such as road bike pressure vs mountain bike pressure would see a more pronounced loss.

They are not 100% air tight. Latex tubes more so, but they lighter and thinner, so some prefer that even though they will lose pressure quicker than standard butyl tubes and need checking more frequently.

five8five · 13 Jul 2017 at 10:58

It might be worth taking the tubes out and have a good look at them.

Some tubes have a weakness where the tube is bonded to the valve. It can start as a very slow puncture and then suddenly let go later on.