Quote:
Originally Posted by Daschicken
My Ecopias have a max sidewall of 44 PSI as well. Doesn't stop me from running 47 rear, 51 front!
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I'm sure there's a lot of cushion when manufacturers stipulate a sidewall PSI. In fact, the sidewall PSI spec is usually stated in terms that say or imply that the PSI level is what it takes in order to carry the maximum weight the tire can carry. So, it's not necessarily all the PSI the tire can take; it's just that it takes the specified PSI to handle the rated maximum weight.
As noted, my Ecopias specify 44 PSI too, so that's my target pressure.
My previous tires were Yokohamas which specified 51 PSI on the sidewalls. I usually ran at or about that level, but one of them developed a tread separation. I wondered if the 51 PSI was helpful or harmful in regards to the failure. I doubt that it was related to the failure, but there is no way to tell for sure.
A more likely factor causing the tread separation was the three "flats" and related repairs that poor tire had suffered through the years before it finally succumbed. Not helping was the fact that two of the flat-causing nails were within an inch of each other. Those malicious assaults on the tire were probably the real reason for the tread separation that killed my poor ole YOKO, and not the high 51 PSI.