Message #15525

[Svend]

Just for the heck of it, try 'em at 30psi.  Do the thumb squeeze test.  You should be able to push it in just a wee bit, say 1/8" to 1/4" deflection, but they should still be nice and firm.  I doubt you would get a pinch flat at that pressure, unless your sidewalls are REALLY thin.  I assume you carry a spare tube and tire irons?   

Just want to reassure you on this tire pressure thing, as I'm sensing you're a bit reluctant to go lower than at present.  I put all our bikes at 25 to 30 psi for trail use (35 to 40 for hard pack rail trails).  The only time any of us  have ever had pinch flats was with a cheap, thin-walled tire (I think it was Panaracer Smoke -- great tread pattern, but flimsy construction) that I had at about 25 psi or so.  Too low for that tire.  Otherwise, it has never happened with any other tire, and that over a cumulative total of at least 10 years of riding.  I'm sure your Karmas will be fine -- that's a quality tire.