I am putting less air in my tires

I continue to use tubes on all my bikes.  I do not have trouble with flat tires. I can count my flats on two fingers.

If it is not broken don't fix it, the saying goes.  My reading about tires has given me a better standing about air pressure and ride comfort.  As I have gotten older, I realize the bumps more.  A rough ride makes me tired.  I remember a tour a couple of years ago that really taught me this lesson.  The surface of the trail was bigger stones which was constantly jarring the handlebars and rattling me on the seat.  I was tired much earlier in the day and multiple days had a compounding impact on several levels.

I now use a seat with springs. There is also a nice foam cushion.  I tried it on my day rides and it made a big difference and I did not feel as beat up.  The front shocks are also helpful because it softens the jarring handlebar.

I enjoy my two bikes with front suspension forks.

This is the bike I now will use on tours.  I used the Brooks Flyer seat for my day rides, but I find the other seat better for multi-day tours.  Many love the Brooks saddles for tour comfort. Brooks has models that do not have springs.

Tires will state the range for tire pressure on the side wall. Stated as pounds per inch or atmospheric bar.

My tires state the range of 30-70 pounds.  In the US most people will prefer this value. Bike pumps will show you both values like your car speedometer will tell you MPH or km/hour.

I was advised to "top off "the tire pressure before each ride.  I took this to mean fill this tire to 70 pounds.  I think that is why I avoided many flats because I never got a pinch flat from hitting a hole when the pressure was too low. I found that the disadvantage of this  practice is that the ride is rough or hard.  I rattled at each bump and seam in the road. 

Search for "bicycle tire pressure calculator."  These guides, you have the choice of several, will work you through a series of questions (bike type, tube type or tubeless, total weight, tire size,  tire width, road surface, etc.)  Once you fill in the blanks you will get a value for the front tire and the rear tire.  The guide will suggest a little more air in the rear tire.  Instead of 70 pounds it calculated  31 pounds in the front tire and 33 pounds in the rear.

I have found this new tire pressure to be much more comfortable whether I am on cement, blacktop, chip seal, crushed limestone or dirt.  I would put more pressure in when I would be hitting more potholes and larger rocker or roots. 

I will continue to play with the air pressure and write down these values so I remember.  What is your experience?  What do you suggest?