tyre gauges

[pault]

figured I would sit down with a glass of port and compare my tyre gauges

pencil type
best supercheap                       36lb
PCL sopposedly good               38lb
cheap supercheap                    42lb
cheap inflator off compressor   42lb
jamex-pen dial type                  42lb

so the sopposedly good ones dissagree and the cheapies which I do no trust. agree
so how good are the digital?

[Brock]

Paul,

The accuracy of the gauges depends on the type of gauge and its full scale reading. Typically the dial type are 3% of full scale. ie:- if a gauge has a max reading of 150 PSi, the the tolerance is +/- 4.5 PSI for readings taken above 15 PSI and below 135 PSI.  So taking reading of known 40 PSI, the reading can be between 35.5 and 43.5. The only way to know the accuracy is to have your gauges tested against against a calibrated lab gauge.

Any of the Perth guys wanting their gauge tested, let me have the gauge at the maintenance day and I will test it at work. I work in a Cal lab (amongst other things)

[BigTed]

But Paul, you haven't factored in the error induced by the port!
 

[ruSTyEB]

So Brock, do you think digital gauges are a better investment? And what are your thoughts on monitoring systems?

[Brock]

Theoretical, digital should be better, but it depends on the manufacturer.

I would have to put the TMS on the test rig to see how good it is, as I haveny seen one yet. The idea is great but.

[Malcolm6112]

I'm interested to see how accurate my digital is Brock.
I tend to check my tyres before I ride, which is any where from once to four times a week.
I've heard of others getting really good milage from tyres when they have constant tyre pressures.
 

[pault]

i recently replaced a rear michelin p3 with another the same. on learning I had done 20k plus the mechanic straight away said i must have kept the pressure up. Apparently a lot don't from what he said. How does one not check pressure at least once a week, or anything else for that matter.

So now i have to find some one to calibrate at least one of my gauges, internet search I guess.

[saaz]

I posted this a while back from choice tests

Choice did a test and the Lion LA062A (dial), SCA PLU 130237 (dial - another SCA one was not that accurtate) and Lion LA062D1(pencil) were 100% accurate for the the most common pressures.  Many of the rest were within 1 or 2 PSI.  The good ones were all less that $15.

I bought the Supecheap dial guage, and it reads 2psi less than my digital and pencil guage.  So when I stick to 36 front 42 rear that may be a touch less than actual pressure.

[alans1100]

When I bought my gauge I also had rear tyre replaced at about the same time. When that was done and air pressure was set to 42 by their calibrated air gauge I then checked the pressure with mine and it showed 41.5psi. So even I use my guage I'm within .5psi.

[terrydj]

Just wondering how much the riders panic when they find their tyre pressures have gone up on average 4/6ib+ when you ride the bike or how the tyre pressures and temperatures go through the roof when it gets over 30deg Celsius.
Me I don't care, just have the back and front around the 38lb mark always

[pault]

that was interesting, thanks to those who replied
looks like i am of to supercheap for a dial type
met a supercheap manager once. while  the bottom of the range stuff was crap he said the middle and top $ stuff was really quite good for the money.