Setting the Right Tire Pressure
Finding the sweet spot for tire pressures can be tough. There are several calculators available to calculate a good starting point as you find the pressure that works for you.
Don’t go too high on pressure
Your wheels and tires will have a max pressure rating likely printed on them. Never exceed the lower of the two ratings. If you cannot find a printed rating, look up the manufacture’s documentation. Damage your wheels and tires puts you at a great risk of failure leading to a crash.
Hookless setups will have a lower maximum pressure, as they have a higher risk of blow-offs.
Smooth is fast
It used to be thought that higher pressures meant a faster rolling tire, but we’ve learned that isn’t always the case. It can feel quick, but that might just be because the harder tire transfers every bump up through the bike, giving you a false sense of speed.
At lower pressures your tires can conform to imperfections in the road which leads to a lower rolling resistance. Unless you’re riding in a world with perfectly smooth roads (or maybe a velodrome), you’ll want to find the right balance. But lower pressures come with their own issues…
Don’t go too low on pressure
If your tire pressure is too low you’ll run into another set of issues. Handling might improve with lower pressures, but at some point continuing to go lower will make handling worse and risk pinch flats (if you haven’t gone tubeless) or even damage to your rim.
Factors affecting optimum pressure
Several things will have an impact on what pressure works best for you:
- Tire Width - Wider tires roll better (and feel more comfortable) at lower pressures than a narrower version of the same tire.
- System Weight - The combined weight of the bike, rider, and accessories (water bottles, bags, etc.) plays a big role. A heavier rider will need higher pressures on the same bike setup as a lighter rider.
- Surface Type and Conditions - Are you riding fresh asphalt? Worn asphalt? Smooth trails? Rocky trails? During a downpour? During a drought?
- Tire Type - The tire’s tread, rubber compound, and construction will change how it responds to different pressures.
- Internal Rim Width - The internal width of your rim can have an impact on the measured width (vs advertised) as well as the shape of your inflated tire and the volume of air inside.
- Weight Distribution - Because your weight is very unlikely to be split perfectly between both wheels, your rear wheel typically carries more weight and therefore needs more air. The exact difference depends on the type of bicycle and how it affects your weight distribution.
Final verdict
The best way to find the right tire pressure is to use one of the calculator linked above as a starting point, then tweaking to find what works right for you.