I have a Schwinn bike we got from goodwill a few years ago. I started riding it to work four days a week three months ago, my daily commute is about 40 min. We recently replaced both innertubes and on the innertubes it says the psi is supposed to be anywhere from 30-35, but every day I have to pump them back up from 20! Schwinn bikes are already slow as it is, and this makes the trip more difficult, especially when there are hills (I have to stand on the bike to get it up almost every hill). I am pretty annoyed with it, especially pumping up the tires every day.
Everyday I have my pair of scrubs with me, my lunch and water bottle all in the basket and my purse on my shoulder, and I myself only weight about 135 lbs. I'm pretty much thinking of getting a new bike, one built for speed ( I swear other cyclists are going faster than me with the same amount of effort I give my bike). Or should I mod this bike to make it faster if possible, or is there anything I can do about the tires?
Thanks : )
Update:Thanks for all the info, I think I can pick out some stuff that will help. My husband told me there was a limit on the innertubes and that they were 30-35 but I'm gonna look it up.
Thanks to all the smartasses, no one does THAT on the internet, you must be so special.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
The narrower and smoother the tire and the higher the pressure (up to 110 PSI is common), the faster you will go with the same effort. For hills, you will benefit from a lighter bike but you need a variety of gears, no way around that.
In a bike built for speed, and still able to carry your stuff and lunch, you could probably do 15 mph. You should be looking at an entry level road bike for about $600-800 or a hybrid for $400-600.
It is quite normal to pump daily. Tubes loose pressure even if there is not a puncture.
I have a Schwinn bike we got from goodwill a few years ago. I started riding it to work four days a week three months ago, my daily commute is about 40 min. We recently replaced both innertubes and on the innertubes it says the psi is supposed to be anywhere from 30-35,
==the tubes do not say a pressure
the tires do, 30 isn;t enough
50 would be more like it
for fattish tires
but every day I have to pump them back up from 20!
==well then they are leaking
or possibly you never really get more than 20 in
Schwinn bikes are already slow as it is, and this makes the trip more difficult, especially when there are hills (I have to stand on the bike to get it up almost every hill). I am pretty annoyed with it, especially pumping up the tires every day.
==that is more a function of the hill, your fitness and the right gear
not really the tires
Everyday I have my pair of scrubs with me, my lunch and water bottle all in the basket and my purse on my shoulder, and I myself only weight about 135 lbs. I'm pretty much thinking of getting a new bike, one built for speed ( I swear other cyclists are going faster than me with the same amount of effort I give my bike).
==you have no way to know that
or maybe it is easier for them because they have the right gear or are more fit
Or should I mod this bike to make it faster if possible, or is there anything I can do about the tires?
==there are no mods
wle
Schwinn bikes are already slow as it is? That is REALLY wrong. It is incorrect to say that ANY bike is "slower" than another brand of similar design and quality.
Look on the sidewall of the TIRE (not the tube) and look for the recommended pressure. Unless you are riding a kids bike it is very rare that they recommend under 40psi.
If you are commuting, take those tires up to at least 60psi. Since you don't weigh much it may even be better to take it as high as the TIRE suggests.
Inner tubes are made of butyl. Butyl is air permeable. It is not uncommon for them to lose air. Consider it "best practice" to check your tires every day.
So pump up the tubes & dunk 'em in water. If you find a hole, patch the tube or replace it.
35 psi sounds REALLY low. Never seen a tire that held that low of air pressure. LOOK again on the sidewall of the tire!!!
You should have more then 35 lbs in your tire read the pressure range on the tire not the tube. If you are losing pressure you have a small leak. Pull the tubes and check the tire for objects still in it.