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I have the new Tommaso (was Timmaso) Imola bike with Tommaso Corsa TC20 wheels. The tire sidewall says "max pressure 90 psi"

The tire is the kenda 700x25c.

I am 5'9" 220 used to be a power-lifter so pretty heavy. Question is can I inflate them to closer to 120 psi due to my weight?

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    Whatever is says on the side of the tire use the max.
    – paparazzo
    Feb 20, 2016 at 3:03
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    You can normally go a hair above the sidewall max, but 120 psi on a 90 psi tire would be a stretch. (But 220 lb is not all that heavy, and going much over 100 psi will not be much help in any event.) (What is the width of the tires?) Feb 20, 2016 at 3:39
  • I've edited your question from "tire pressure says max 90lbs" to "tire says max pressure 90 PSI" If that doesn't say what you meant to say, please revert my edit.
    – Criggie
    Feb 20, 2016 at 8:03
  • Can you clarify what size tyres are on this bike ?
    – Criggie
    Feb 20, 2016 at 8:07
  • Yeah typing error it's the tommaso Imola.
    – Randy
    Feb 20, 2016 at 17:33

3 Answers 3

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This handy chart shows the recommended pressure for different rider weights. Sadly it doesn't help you or me, both our weights are off the chart.

My road bike has 700x25 tyres, so I picked 100 PSI and aim for just over that when inflating. The tyres are rated to 120 but that feels harsh and I get a lot more flats at those pressures.

Added: Since your tyres say maximum pressure of 90 PSI, you shouldn't go much over that. Kenda's specs say 90 psi is the maximum for the "kenda street black mocha" so while they will survive more, the question is how much more. Instead, consider replacing them with tyres that are suitable for higher pressures.

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Note: This chart is purely referencing road tyre pressures. If you have a MTB the pressures drop off really quickly.

Answer: I wouldn't go much over 90 PSI, but others have routinely put 100 PSI in Kenda tyres without issue. Your weight suggests that a higher max-pressure tyre would be the best solution, aim for 120 PSI capable tyres in 28 width.

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    I don't mind the downvotes, but do place a comment pointing out what is wrong or what you disagree with.
    – Criggie
    Feb 21, 2016 at 8:30
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    +1 Nice. I don't know why this answer would be downvoted.
    – BSO rider
    Feb 22, 2016 at 0:10
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    This in now way answers the stated question of can the tire be over inflated.
    – paparazzo
    Feb 23, 2016 at 2:49
  • Need actual tire information to really answer, but such a low max pressure for a 25mm tire sorta' lets me know it is probably low thread count, and probably has really thick sidewalls (and is a crummy tire overall). What this means is that kenda built quite a bit of pinch flat resistance into the tires (via the extra thick sidewalls they had to use because of the low thread count). So, I'd just leave it at 90PSI (sidewall listed max) and ride, anything over that is just going to overstress the tire all the time/everywhere vice just occasionally by the overweight.
    – david1024
    Aug 1, 2016 at 12:41
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The people that built the tire put a max pressure on it. You kind of have to trust they put some thought behind it.

More pressure will protect from pinch flats but there is max pressure the tire and rim will take.

The number one risk of too much pressure is blow the tire off the rim. The pressure is force on the tire bead and the tire is simply forced off the rim. Will one pound over force it off the rim - typically no. A tight rim you can go past and I have had some loose (small) rims that I could not even take a tire to the max.

The force on the bead is volume x pressure. That is why bigger tires will have a smaller pressure.

The other risk is blowing out the rim. Not as common but it can happen - typically only on a compromised rim.

As a big boy you should be on bigger tire like a 30mm - 35mm. A bigger tire takes a load better. In the 25mm tires they are for the most part targeting racers and racers rarely weight more than 180 lbs.

In an adult smaller road tire the max is typically targeted for 180 lbs and the min targeted for 110 lbs but that is not an industry standard. In between you can use linear interpolation.

You can find some 25mm tires that go 120 psi but according to the label this tire does not. You can test your tire at 120 but if it blows off the rim you cannot just get a new tube and 90 is good as you have stretched the bead - testing is destructive.

Some people think a higher pressure has more puncture (glass) flats and some think less and I am not going there. The answer is a quality puncture resistant tire.

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I'd just use the max. Start overfilling your tires and they'll probably be compromised and you'll bust em.

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    Gidday and welcome to SE Bicycles. What does your answer add that isn't already said in other answers? Remember, this site is all about the question and the answers; its not a general chat forum. A one-line answer is lacking in depth and detail. Please read the tour at bicycles.stackexchange.com/tour for more info on how this stack works.
    – Criggie
    Feb 21, 2016 at 8:16
  • @Criggie It adds that overfilling will probably compromise a tire that is not covered in another answer. Your answer does nothing to address the stated question of can you over inflate. +1 to get this question even
    – paparazzo
    Feb 21, 2016 at 14:50
  • @Frisbee even grandmas and fixie riders know that you'll bust a tire if you put too much pressure in it. You consider that to be a new piece of information?
    – BSO rider
    Feb 22, 2016 at 0:19
  • @BSOrider Well OP is asking that question. Which is the OP a grandmas or a fixie rider. Do you consider that comment constructive?
    – paparazzo
    Feb 22, 2016 at 0:21
  • @Frisbee OP is clearly not asking that question... He wants to know how high he can safely go. Of course he knows he'll blow the tire if he pumps it too high. Yes, my comment is constructive... your original comment is the unconstructive one.
    – BSO rider
    Feb 22, 2016 at 0:33

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