Tire pressure changes how a bike rides more than almost any other setting, and it costs nothing to adjust. There is no single right number. The best pressure depends on the tire, the rim, your weight, the surface and the conditions. This guide explains what affects it and how to find a starting point for your tires.
We don’t publish pressure recommendations of our own, because the right pressure depends on the tire. Always follow the tire maker’s recommendations and stay within the limits printed on the tire and rim.
What decides the right bike tire pressure
- Tire width. Wider tires hold more air, so they need less pressure to carry the same load.
- Total weight. You, the bike and anything you carry. More weight needs more pressure.
- Surface. Rough roads and loose gravel reward lower pressure. Smooth tarmac tolerates higher pressure.
- Rim width. A wider rim supports the tire better, so it often allows a slightly lower pressure.
- Tubeless or tubes. Tubeless tires can run lower without the risk of pinch flats.
- Front and rear. Most riders carry more weight on the rear wheel, so the rear usually needs a little more pressure.
Why lower pressure is often faster
On a perfectly smooth surface, a harder tire rolls with slightly less resistance. Real roads are not smooth. When a tire is too hard, every bump lifts the bike and rider a little, and that energy is lost. A tire at the right pressure deforms around the bump and keeps rolling. On most real roads and gravel, the right pressure is lower than many riders expect.
Too low has its own problems: a vague, squirming feel in corners, the rim hitting rocks, and a higher risk of damage. The aim is the lowest pressure that still feels stable and protects the rim.
Tire pressure on hookless rims
Hookless rims have a lower maximum pressure than hooked rims, and they should only be used with tires the tire maker approves for hookless use. Check both the rim limit and the tire limit, and stay under the lower of the two. Our G60 wheels are hookless. Our AR45 and AR65 are hooked.
How to find your tire pressure
- Start with the tire maker’s guidance for your tire and width.
- Use a calculator that accounts for weight, tire width, rim width and surface. Good options include SRAM’s tire pressure guide, the SILCA pressure calculator and Schwalbe’s pressure advice.
- Check the result against the minimum and maximum printed on the tire, and against the rim’s limit.
- Ride a familiar loop, then adjust in small steps. If the bike feels harsh or skips over bumps, go lower. If it feels vague in corners or you hit the rim, go higher.
- Use a good gauge, and check pressure before every ride. Tubeless tires lose a little air over a few days.
Pressure and tire width go together
If you find yourself running very low pressure to get the comfort you want, a wider tire may be the better answer. It gives the same comfort at a more stable pressure. Our bike tire size guide explains how to choose a width, and our tire clearance guide covers how much room your frame needs.
