Pressure Gauges: Facts? Opinions?

[Marty]

All this pressure talk reminds me that other than the gauge on my old Silca floor pump, I really have no idea how pumped my tires are. What kind of gauge is everyone using? How accurate are these things anyway? Seems like the next tool I should invest in, but would like opinions before I take the plunge. I don't think Riv carries one these days. Thanks!

Marty

[cyclotourist]

I have an old Silca as well. I don't have a whole lot of confidence in the gauge :-) I've been thinking of getting a small hand gauge to confirm, but haven't got around to it yet.

The Topeak one http://tinyurl.com/87mf8rn is supposed to be pretty good.

I have been looking at this analog one: http://tinyurl.com/7aubk6q

On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 9:17 AM, Marty <mgi...@mac.com> wrote:

All this pressure talk reminds me that other than the gauge on my old Silca floor pump, I really have no idea how pumped my tires are. What kind of gauge is everyone using? How accurate are these things anyway? Seems like the next tool I should invest in, but would like opinions before I take the plunge. I don't think Riv carries one these days. Thanks!

Marty

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Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA

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“I believe in an America where millions of Americans believe in an America that’s the America millions of Americans believe in. That’s the America I love.”

[clyde canter]

I have a Specialized floor pump w/ gaugue that I like very well.  I have checked it with one of those brass push on gauges I've had for years and they both read the same.  I've used it to add a tad bit of air to my car tires and it is accurate enough to make that stupid tire pressure idiot light go off on my dashboard.

Best,

Clyde

On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 12:17 PM, Marty <mgi...@mac.com> wrote:

All this pressure talk reminds me that other than the gauge on my old Silca floor pump, I really have no idea how pumped my tires are. What kind of gauge is everyone using? How accurate are these things anyway? Seems like the next tool I should invest in, but would like opinions before I take the plunge. I don't think Riv carries one these days. Thanks!

Marty

--

[Frank Brose]

My thumb. Been working for me since the 70's. Still works just as good
as it did back then.

[Cyclofiend]

Thumb and forefinger, but - importantly - pinched from the top of the
tire with the finger on the rim, as opposed to "sidewall pinching".
I'll recalibrate periodically with the gauge on my floor pump, but
that's what works*.

- J

Shades of John Muir's "Torque Wrench"

[Earl Grey]

Your gauge on your floor pump may not be accurate, but that doesn't
mean it's not useful, assuming that it is consistent (which it most
likely is, and besides, that's easy to check). Find the pressure that
works for you by trial and error: Let out air until the cornering gets
iffy or you start to fear pinch flats, put a bit of air back in, note
what your gauge reads then, and just pump to that number from then on,
regardless of whether it reads 10 or 110psi.

Cheers,

Gernot

[PATRICK MOORE]

I generally rely on finger feel except with very low pressures where
even a very small difference in pressure can make a big difference in
handling: there is a lot more difference in handling between 12 psi in
front and 15 psi with the 60 mm Big Apples than between 75 psi and 85
psi with the 23 mm Continentals.

I bought a Topeak "Smart Gauge" which I daresay is accurate enough but
is a pain in the ass to use; not recommended. I've come to use the
"pump and ride" test for very fat, very lp tires: ride and, if the
handling is off, put in a bit more. Conversely, if the tire feels
hard, let some out until handling goes off. You soon learn enough to
apply the finger test with reasonable accuracy even at these
pressures, so what goes around ...

[Mike On A Bike]

The SKS Airbase seems to have a very accurate gauge which matches a
MUSA handheld gauge that I have. It's also the most solidly built pump
I've ever used-- all steel construction and a lifetime tool. The Silca
I had before this pales in comparison and broke after a few months of
regular use.

[jimD]

I do this too but more as a go/no go check.

I find that JB greens are pretty forgiving in regards to inflation pressures.
I pump em up to 55 front 65 rear. When the finger check indicates 'squishy' they are down to the low 40's.
Ride fine anywhere in between low 40's up to about 70.

Oh, this doesn't work so good which the 25 mm tires on my Madone.

-JimD

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[Mark Chandler]

Recently my (several years-old) Accugage stopped holding its reading when I removed it from the valve.  I emailed Accugage, and asked if this could be fixed.  They responded promptly, and informed me that the gauge could be repaired, and that it would only cost $3 for return shipping.  That's definitely good service, IMO.

---

Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 14:06:08 -0700
From: gart...@gmail.com
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [RBW] Pressure Gauges: Facts? Opinions?

The Accugage one is about the best you're gonna find.  I've tried various plastic one I thought were accurate .... and they were way off !
Myself, a battery operated gauge is a solution to problem that does not exist... yet creates it's own problem !  Brilliant marketing ! The batteries often drain even when it's not being used and then you go to use it and ... ooops.  No gauge ! 

Some people like buying batteries though ....lol. I'd rather have a gauge that is not dependent on a battery.
-

The Topeak one http://tinyurl.com/87mf8rn is supposed to be pretty good.

I have been looking at this analog one: http://tinyurl.com/7aubk6q

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[cyclotourist]

Very good to hear, Mark!

[Earl Grey]

Can anyone recommend a tire gauge specifically for lower pressure
presta applications? (I.e. car gauges won't work.) I run around 20
pounds on some of my fatter tires, and while I don't need something
super accurate, the gauges on my topeak mini pumps won't even register
anything until you are somewhere near 25 or 30 pounds, and I like to
adjust pressure down after riding to the trails on the road.

Thanks,

Gernot

On Jun 12, 1:22 am, Mark Chandler <gravelb...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Recently my (several years-old) Accugage stopped holding its reading when I removed it from the valve.  I emailed Accugage, and asked if this could be fixed.  They responded promptly, and informed me that the gauge could be repaired, and that it would only cost $3 for return shipping.  That's definitely good service, IMO.
>

> Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 14:06:08 -0700

> From: garth...@gmail.com

> To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: [RBW] Pressure Gauges: Facts? Opinions?
>
> The Accugage one is about the best you're gonna find.  I've tried various plastic one I thought were accurate .... and they were way off !
> Myself, a battery operated gauge is a solution to problem that does not exist... yet creates it's own problem !  Brilliant marketing ! The batteries often drain even when it's not being used and then you go to use it and ... ooops.  No gauge !
>
> Some people like buying batteries though ....lol. I'd rather have a gauge that is not dependent on a battery.
> -
>

> The Topeak onehttp://tinyurl.com/87mf8rnis supposed to be pretty good.

>
> I have been looking at this analog one:http://tinyurl.com/7aubk6q
>
> --
>
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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[cyclotourist]

+1 on that request. Anything that accurately reads in the 20 lbs range.

On Thu, Jun 14, 2012 at 9:32 AM, Earl Grey <earl...@gmail.com> wrote:

Can anyone recommend a tire gauge specifically for lower pressure
presta applications? (I.e. car gauges won't work.) I run around 20
pounds on some of my fatter tires, and while I don't need something
super accurate, the gauges on my topeak mini pumps won't even register
anything until you are somewhere near 25 or 30 pounds, and I like to
adjust pressure down after riding to the trails on the road.

Thanks,

Gernot

[PATRICK MOORE]

+1 for anything beside the Topeak electric one that registers down to
10 (ten) psi.

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-------------------------
Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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[Earl Grey]

Okay,

I just tried out my 20 year old, somewhat corroded Accu-Gage that I
thought had stopped working years ago before sending it to be fixed
now that I found out from this thread that it has a lifetime warranty.
I had found a review on Amazon saying that it was worthless for
pressures under 40 psi, which is pretty much all I use these days, so
I was starting to wonder whether I should bother having it repaired.

I did several readings with the Accu-Gage on different tires at
different pressures, and it works (still or again, will never know). I
compared the readings to my cheap Taiwanese? (Giyo) floor pump (which
agrees with both my Topeak mini pumps once the pressures get high
enough to register on the minis). The Accu-Gage repeatedly read within
a pound or so of the floor pump down to 8-10 psi. The new ones say
they read 3-160 psi, but the stop on the needle for mine is actually
at 6 psi, so it can't read below that. Caveat: the dial is a bit small
if your eye sight isn't the best.

Cheers,

Gernot (love/hate it when I can answer my own questions) Huber

On Jun 14, 11:44 pm, PATRICK MOORE <bertin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> +1 for anything beside the Topeak electric one that registers down to
> 10 (ten) psi.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 14, 2012 at 10:43 AM, cyclotourist <cyclotour...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > +1 on that request. Anything that accurately reads in the 20 lbs range.
>

[Joan Oppel]

I've had this Zefal gauge for something like 15-18 years.  Works by pressing the appropriate side against the open tire valve and quickly removing.  (Has both a Schrader and a Presta side)  I really can't say if it's accurate but it seems to be.  I would certainly trust it for an 'on the road' adjustment.   Photo here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/30856149@N04/7353041700/in/photostream/lightbox/

It also has both pounds and bars for measurement.  I believe it's still available.

Joan 

 

On 06/14/12, Earl Grey<earl...@gmail.com> wrote:

 

Can anyone recommend a tire gauge specifically for lower pressure
presta applications? (I.e. car gauges won't work.) I run around 20
pounds on some of my fatter tires, and while I don't need something
super accurate, the gauges on my topeak mini pumps won't even register
anything until you are somewhere near 25 or 30 pounds, and I like to
adjust pressure down after riding to the trails on the road.

Thanks,

Gernot

On Jun 12, 1:22 am, Mark Chandler <gravelb...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Recently my (several years-old) Accugage stopped holding its reading when I removed it from the valve.  I emailed Accugage, and asked if this could be fixed.  They responded promptly, and informed me that the gauge could be repaired, and that it would only cost $3 for return shipping.  That's definitely good service, IMO.
>
> Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 14:06:08 -0700
> From: garth...@gmail.com
> To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: [RBW] Pressure Gauges: Facts? Opinions?
>
> The Accugage one is about the best you're gonna find.  I've tried various plastic one I thought were accurate .... and they were way off !
> Myself, a battery operated gauge is a solution to problem that does not exist... yet creates it's own problem !  Brilliant marketing ! The batteries often drain even when it's not being used and then you go to use it and ... ooops.  No gauge !
>
> Some people like buying batteries though ....lol. I'd rather have a gauge that is not dependent on a battery.
> -
>
> The Topeak onehttp://tinyurl.com/87mf8rnis supposed to be pretty good.
>
> I have been looking at this analog one:http://tinyurl.com/7aubk6q
>

> --
>
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
>

> To view this discussion on the web visithttps://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/g9gUZYu_RokJ.
>

[ted]

I believe Meiser makes one with a 0 to 30 psi face. The Meiser gauges
look a lot like the accu-gauge being discussed in this thread, and
might be the same mfg.

On Jun 14, 9:32 am, Earl Grey <earlg...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Can anyone recommend a tire gauge specifically for lower pressure
> presta applications? (I.e. car gauges won't work.) I run around 20
> pounds on some of my fatter tires, and while I don't need something
> super accurate, the gauges on my topeak mini pumps won't even register
> anything until you are somewhere near 25 or 30 pounds, and I like to
> adjust pressure down after riding to the trails on the road.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Gernot
>
> On Jun 12, 1:22 am, Mark Chandler <gravelb...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Recently my (several years-old) Accugage stopped holding its reading when I removed it from the valve.  I emailed Accugage, and asked if this could be fixed.  They responded promptly, and informed me that the gauge could be repaired, and that it would only cost $3 for return shipping.  That's definitely good service, IMO.
>
> > Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 14:06:08 -0700
> > From: garth...@gmail.com
> > To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [RBW] Pressure Gauges: Facts? Opinions?
>
> > The Accugage one is about the best you're gonna find.  I've tried various plastic one I thought were accurate .... and they were way off !
> > Myself, a battery operated gauge is a solution to problem that does not exist... yet creates it's own problem !  Brilliant marketing ! The batteries often drain even when it's not being used and then you go to use it and ... ooops.  No gauge !
>
> > Some people like buying batteries though ....lol. I'd rather have a gauge that is not dependent on a battery.
> > -
>

> > The Topeak onehttp://tinyurl.com/87mf8rnissupposed to be pretty good.

[Earl Grey]

Thanks Ted, Accu Gage is a trademark of G.H. Meiser. They are the same
thing. I know they make 30 psi gauges, but I thought those are
Schrader only (for cars). Would be great if there was a Presta
version.

Gernot

On Jun 15, 11:35 am, ted <ted.ke...@comcast.net> wrote:
> I believe Meiser makes one with a 0 to 30 psi face. The Meiser gauges
> look a lot like the accu-gauge being discussed in this thread, and
> might be the same mfg.
>
> On Jun 14, 9:32 am, Earl Grey <earlg...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Can anyone recommend a tire gauge specifically for lower pressure
> > presta applications? (I.e. car gauges won't work.) I run around 20
> > pounds on some of my fatter tires, and while I don't need something
> > super accurate, the gauges on my topeak mini pumps won't even register
> > anything until you are somewhere near 25 or 30 pounds, and I like to
> > adjust pressure down after riding to the trails on the road.
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Gernot
>
> > On Jun 12, 1:22 am, Mark Chandler <gravelb...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > Recently my (several years-old) Accugage stopped holding its reading when I removed it from the valve.  I emailed Accugage, and asked if this could be fixed.  They responded promptly, and informed me that the gauge could be repaired, and that it would only cost $3 for return shipping.  That's definitely good service, IMO.
>
> > > Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 14:06:08 -0700
> > > From: garth...@gmail.com
> > > To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
> > > Subject: Re: [RBW] Pressure Gauges: Facts? Opinions?
>
> > > The Accugage one is about the best you're gonna find.  I've tried various plastic one I thought were accurate .... and they were way off !
> > > Myself, a battery operated gauge is a solution to problem that does not exist... yet creates it's own problem !  Brilliant marketing ! The batteries often drain even when it's not being used and then you go to use it and ... ooops.  No gauge !
>
> > > Some people like buying batteries though ....lol. I'd rather have a gauge that is not dependent on a battery.
> > > -
>

> > > The Topeak onehttp://tinyurl.com/87mf8rnissupposedto be pretty good.

[ted]

I was just going by this:
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=721863

> > > > The Topeak onehttp://tinyurl.com/87mf8rnissupposedtobe pretty good.