At 38 years old I recently bought my first (digital) tyre pressure gauge and noticed I had around 30 psi on a steel frame mountain / road bike. So for the past 20 years I have always used too little pressure but never knew it. I didn’t think bike tyres could stand the 50+ psi I use now.

I’ve always gone with the ‘tweak for hardness’ method to see how much air was needed. I didn’t think bike tyres were this resilient and safe at high pressure. Although every so often I have to top up the tyres to stay at 50+ psi.

Why only 50psi? I’m sweating and sticky trying to put that much in with a mini-pump, which is a good form of exercise!

I carry quite a lot of weight (on the bike, not me) during a 7 miles each way daily commute. I use a non-removable pannier bag setup for my shirt n’ tie work clothes, mini-pump, fingerless gloves for the afternoon when the temps are better, tool kit, waterproof overtrousers and at least one spare innertube.

Although using Schwalbe punture proof tyres I donate the innertube every few months to the less fortunate cyclists I come across. I usually have to fit it too. So many cyclists, so little mechanical know-how. : )

potholes can hurt.