Conti Ultra 2000's: Inflate to 150psi??

[I have Continental Ultra 2000 tires and the sidewall says that max tire pressure is 150psi. I've read on this board that one should inflate tires to the max pressure written on the sidewall, but 150psi seems a bit high. Is it really safe to go this high?

As far as the tire goes yes, tire + rim.... well, to be determined.
Rock hard tires are -really- uncomfortable to ride; in my experience, even 120# gives too harsh a ride. Practically speaking your pump may do ok for awhile going to 150 but its lifespan will almost certainly be reduced (people powered, not electric.) Steve

Are you sure you read the sidewall right? I ride Conti Grand Prix 3000s, a more race-oriented tire than the Ultra 2000, and the max pressure on my tires is just 120 psi. Pressure is a matter of personal preference and should also factor in your weight. I'm heavy for a cyclist, at 210 lbs, and 120 psi feels quite firm to me. Unless you're REALLY heavy, 150 psi sounds oddly high. Start at say 110 psi and test it out for yourself.

i am an advocate for high tyre pressures, and i have experienced the conti's in question. I personally used to put up with the harsh ride as i love the fast feel that higher pressures give. I am only 75kg and the labelled 150psi may be a lot but anywhere around 120psi would probably be a good number to aim at depending on your weight, riding style etc.

Originally posted by drewjc
i am an advocate for high tyre pressures, and i have experienced the conti's in question. I personally used to put up with the harsh ride as i love the fast feel that higher pressures give. I am only 75kg and the labelled 150psi may be a lot but anywhere around 120psi would probably be a good number to aim at depending on your weight, riding style etc.

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I've been beat'n,punched and everything else be people that say a tire is not faster with 120psi vs 100psi.I think it is but others saw no way.

An underinflated tire will experience increased rolling resistance (hence slower), as well as be more prone to pinch flats and not wear as long. That doesn't mean a 120-rated tire is faster than a 100-rated tire, only that a 120-rated tire inflated to 100 will run slower than when inflated to 120.

Run your tires at the max rating on the sidewall - if the ride is too rough then get lower rated tires.

Originally posted by BugMan
An underinflated tire will experience increased rolling resistance (hence slower), as well as be more prone to pinch flats and not wear as long. That doesn't mean a 120-rated tire is faster than a 100-rated tire, only that a 120-rated tire inflated to 100 will run slower than when inflated to 120.

Run your tires at the max rating on the sidewall - if the ride is too rough then get lower rated tires.

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Thats what i said but they would say that at max psi,it bounces to much on the bad roads and slow you down.90-95 psi will be faster rolling because it wont bounce as much.I like mine at max.

For another opinion from http://www.roadbikerider.com/ua4.htm#The Case for Lower Tire Pressure

DEAR UNCLE AL: Perhaps you can settle an argument at our bike club. I like riding 20-mm-wide tires inflated to 120-130 pounds. I feel faster because of what I think is lower rolling resistance. Others argue for a 23C width at 100-110 psi, saying these tires are more efficient because they absorb pavement irregularities better. I weigh 175 pounds and ride at an average of 18+ mph on a variety of road surfaces. So who's right about width and pressure? -- Greg C.

UNCLE AL FIRES BACK: Soften up, Greg!

Most everyone I know runs too much pressure. Welcome to the club. Over many years of testing and talking to guys who live on their bikes, I'm convinced there is little reason to run more than 95-100 psi -- and there are compelling reasons to run 85-90 psi.

High pressure, say 100-120 psi, guarantees short tire life, poor cornering and lots of punctures. A rock-solid tire cuts/punctures more easily than it would at a lower pressure. Also, a softer tire can "smear" -- conform better to objects encountered on the road. Why make the ride even rougher on America's ever-crumbling road surfaces?

Admittedly, I weigh 210 pounds and ride on really poor road surfaces. These things influence my opinions. I run 85-90 psi front and 90-95 psi rear on 700x23C clincher tires. I do not have flats! Plus, bumps are less of an issue, and my bike corners as if on rails on high-speed descents. I get 1,000-1,500 miles out of a rear tire. When I ran much higher pressure many years ago, I got no more than 500 miles.

So, my advice is never to run smaller than 23C. Use good tubes, air them up before every ride and spend extra for premium tires -- they'll pay you back in extra mileage and better handling.

One more thing: Don't buy a race-specific tire to train on. If it's advertised to last only 500 miles, they aren't lying. Shaving grams off of training tires is silly and wasteful, and you won't get the low-weight advantage when event time comes if you ride the light stuff all the time. Make gram shaving your secret weapon, if only in your mind, when it counts.

Do as I recommend and I promise fewer flats, happier miles and no noticeable increase in rolling resistance (the great myth). Plus, you'll waste fewer resources, both financial and natural.

Thanks fpr the link Kent24. an interesting read. I tend to inflate to 120/130 even with my 100PSI Bontager selects. I'll give the 100 PSI a try and report back how it feels.