Gone are the days when cyclists would inflate their road bike tyres to the maximum pressure and hope for the best. It’s now understood that excessively high tyre pressures are not only uncomfortable but can actually slow you down.
Optimising your Tyre Pressure On Road Bike is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to enhance your bike’s performance and comfort. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider aiming for peak efficiency, understanding tyre pressure is crucial.
Finding the ideal tyre pressure for your road bike is a balancing act. You need enough pressure to minimise energy loss from tyre deformation and maintain predictable handling when cornering. Conversely, you also need to run pressures low enough to absorb road imperfections rather than bouncing harshly over them.
In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of tyre pressure, the factors that influence your optimal pressure, and how to find the perfect pressure for your riding needs.
Recommended Tyre Pressures for Road Bikes
BikeRadar's technical writer, Simon von Bromley, puts around 65psi in his 28mm tyres. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Many tyre manufacturers provide recommended pressure ranges or calculators for their road bike tyres, which serve as excellent starting points for dry conditions on smooth roads.
It’s important to consider the actual inflated size of your tyres, as this can vary based on the rim and tyre combination, affecting the ideal pressure. If your tyre inflates wider than its stated size, you’ll likely need slightly less pressure than recommended, and vice versa.
Furthermore, optimal tyre pressure is influenced by rider weight. Heavier riders, or those carrying cargo, will require higher pressures, while lighter riders will benefit from lower pressures.
Always adhere to the pressure limits specified by both your rim and tyre manufacturers, particularly the maximum limits, which are typically printed on the sidewalls. If you use wheels with hookless rims, be aware that the maximum permitted tyre pressure may be significantly lower than with traditional hooked rims.
Tyre Pressure Chart for 23mm and 25mm Tyres
| 700x23c tyre on a 17mm rim | 700x25c tyre on a 19mm rim |
|---|---|
| Rider weight | Recommended pressure |
| Rider weight | Recommended pressure |
| ≤ 50kg / ≤ 110lb | 84psi / 5.8bar |
| ≤ 50kg / ≤ 110lb | 73psi / 5bar |
| 51-57kg / 112-126lb | 90psi / 6.2bar |
| 51-57kg / 112-126lb | 78psi / 5.4bar |
| 58-65kg / 128-143lb | 96psi / 6.6bar |
| 58-65kg / 128-143lb | 83psi / 5.7bar |
| 66-73kg / 145-161lb | 102psi / 7bar |
| 66-73kg / 145-161lb | 88psi / 6.1bar |
| 74-81kg / 163-179lb | 106psi / 7.3bar |
| 74-81kg / 163-179lb | 93psi / 6.4bar |
| 82-88kg / 181-194lb | 110psi / 7.6bar |
| 82-88kg / 181-194lb | 98psi / 6.8bar |
| ≥ 89kg / ≤ 196lb | 115psi / 7.9bar |
| ≥ 89kg / ≤ 196lb | 103psi / 7.1bar |
| ≥ 96kg / ≤ 212lb | Use 700x25c tyre |
| ≥ 96kg / ≤ 212lb | 108psi / 7.4bar |
| On a 19mm rim: lower pressure by 0.4bar / 6psi | On a 21mm rim: lower pressure by 0.3bar / 5psi |
These recommendations are adapted from Pirelli’s guidelines for their tubeless-ready (TLR) road tyres, but they serve as valuable starting points for any tyre brand. Remember to consider the various factors discussed later to fine-tune your tyre pressure.
Tyre Pressure Chart for 28mm and 30mm Tyres
| 700x28c tyre on a 19mm rim | 700x30c tyre on a 19mm rim |
|---|---|
| Rider weight | Recommended Pressure |
| Rider weight | Recommended Pressure |
| ≤ 50kg / ≤ 110lb | 65 psi / 4.5bar |
| ≤ 50kg / ≤ 110lb | 58psi / 4bar |
| 51-57kg / 112-126lb | 70psi / 4.8bar |
| 51-57kg / 112-126lb | 61psi / 4.2bar |
| 58-65kg / 128-143lb | 75psi / 5.2bar |
| 58-65kg / 128-143lb | 65psi / 4.5bar |
| 66-73kg / 145-161lb | 80psi / 5.5bar |
| 66-73kg / 145-161lb | 70psi / 4.8bar |
| 74-81kg / 163-179lb | 85psi / 5.9bar |
| 74-81kg / 163-179lb | 74psi / 5.1bar |
| 82-88kg / 181-194lb | 90psi / 6.2bar |
| 82-88kg / 181-194lb | 78psi / 5.4bar |
| ≥ 89kg / ≤ 196lb | 95psi / 6.6bar |
| ≥ 89kg / ≤ 196lb | 83psi / 5.7bar |
| ≥ 96kg / ≤ 212lb | 100psi / 6.9bar |
| ≥ 96kg / ≤ 212lb | 87psi / 6bar |
| On a 21mm rim: lower pressure by 0.3bar / 5psi | On a 21mm rim: lower pressure by 0.3bar / 5psi – On a 23mm rim: lower pressure by 0.4bar / 6psi |
While recommendations from other brands may vary, Pirelli suggests riders over 96kg / 212lb use 700 x 25c tyres or larger, as the pressure for a rider of this weight would exceed the maximum limit for a 700 x 23c tyre. Always respect the maximum pressure ratings on your tyres and rims.
To provide context, consider personal examples. As someone weighing around 63-64kg: for time trials on good roads, using 23mm tyres (inflated to 25mm on 19mm rims), around 90psi front and rear is suitable. For everyday riding on rougher roads with 28mm tyres on 19mm rims, approximately 65psi is preferred.
Road Bikes vs Mountain Bikes and Gravel Bikes
Setting tyre pressure for a road bike differs significantly from mountain or gravel bikes. Mountain and gravel bikes utilize much wider tyres and rims, and are designed for varied terrain with obstacles. For off-road riding, consult specific guides for mountain bike tyre pressure and gravel bike tyre pressure.
Mountain bike tyre pressure, pressure gauge 22 PSI Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Key Considerations for Road Bike Tyre Pressure
Before diving deeper, here are four essential points about road bike tyre pressure:
The Importance of Correct Tyre Pressure
If your tyre pressure is too low, you could pinch the tyre against the rim, causing a puncture or damaging the wheel. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Correct tyre pressure enhances your ride by making it easier, more comfortable, and reducing puncture risks. From a performance perspective, optimal pressure is vital for minimising rolling resistance and maximising comfort. Rolling resistance is the force that opposes your tyres’ motion on the road.
Insufficient tyre pressure increases energy loss through tyre deformation and friction, raising the risk of pinch flat punctures. Conversely, excessive pressure makes the tyre too rigid, causing vibrations over road imperfections, reducing comfort and wasting energy.
The Feel of Speed vs. Actual Speed
High tyre pressures might feel fast, but often they aren’t. Beyond a certain point, increasing pressure reduces grip, amplifies high-frequency vibrations, and leads to muscle fatigue, ultimately slowing you down. Optimal tyre pressure balances speed and comfort.
Essential Tools for Tyre Inflation
Road bike tyre pressure
A track or floor pump with a built-in pressure gauge is essential for setting your road bike tyre pressure accurately. Investing in a quality pump is worthwhile for long-term use. For precise pressure adjustments, consider a dedicated tyre pressure gauge.
Caution: Err on the Side of Lower Pressure
When in doubt, it’s better to have slightly lower tyre pressure than too high. Tests indicate that performance diminishes rapidly beyond the optimal pressure. A slightly lower pressure may result in a minor speed reduction but significantly improves comfort on rough roads.
Factors Influencing Optimal Tyre Pressure
The recommended pressures are starting points. Several factors beyond tyre and rim size and rider weight affect your ideal road bike tyre pressure.
Tyre Size and Rim Width Matters
A tyre can inflate wider – or narrower – than its nominal size, depending on the internal rim width of the wheel it's mounted on. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Accurate tyre size assessment is key. While tyres are labelled with sizes like 700 x 25c, the actual inflated size varies with tyre design and rim internal width.
Most new road tyres are designed around a 19mm internal rim width. A wheel with a wider internal rim width, as pictured here, will likely increase the measured width of a tyre when inflated. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Modern tyres are designed around a 19mm internal rim width based on 2020 ETRTO standards. Wider rims will likely increase the inflated tyre width at a given pressure, necessitating lower pressures compared to narrower rims.
System Weight and Weight Distribution
Riding a lightweight, go-fast road bike? Your tyre pressure will need to be lower than a heavily laden touring bike, assuming all other variables are the same. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
While rider weight dominates system weight, bike and gear weight also matter. Lightweight road bikes with minimal gear can benefit from slightly lower pressures. Conversely, loaded touring bikes or bikes with bikepacking bags may require higher pressures.
Weight distribution on a road bike is usually uneven, with the rear wheel carrying slightly more load than the front. As a general guideline, reduce front tyre pressure by a few psi compared to the rear.
Road Surface Conditions
The condition of the roads you ride will have an impact on the ideal pressure of your tyres. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Smooth velodromes favour higher pressures for speed. However, on real-world imperfect roads, very high pressures induce vibrations and slow you down. Rougher roads necessitate lower tyre pressures.
On very rough surfaces, smaller tyres (25mm or less) at low pressure may not offer sufficient rim or tube protection, particularly for heavier riders, increasing pinch flat and rim damage risks.
If you ride on rough roads, or roads with a generous coating of gravel, dropping your tyre pressure can help improve comfort and reduce the likelihood of pinch flats. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Larger tyres provide more volume, allowing for pressure adjustments to balance rolling resistance and comfort on poor roads. This is why professional cyclists use 28mm+ tyres for races like Paris-Roubaix.
Weather and Temperature Effects
Dropping your tyre pressure a little in wet conditions might give you more grip. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
In wet conditions or anticipated rain, reducing tyre pressure by about 5psi can enhance grip by increasing tyre contact with the road.
Higher temperatures, especially from rim braking, can increase tyre pressure. Avoid over-inflating tyres before long, hot descents, especially with rim brakes and carbon wheels or latex inner tubes, to prevent dangerously high pressures.
Tyre Construction and Materials
The materials and construction of a tyre can also affect the optimum pressure. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Tyre construction and materials slightly influence optimal pressure. Racing or summer tyres use thinner casings with higher TPI (Threads Per Inch) counts and minimal tread, enhancing flexibility and speed. Winter tyres use stiffer, more durable casings with lower TPI and thicker tread for durability and puncture resistance. You might need to slightly lower pressure with winter tyres due to their construction.
Tubeless Tyre Advantages
Running tubeless tyres removes the risk of pinch flats. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Tubeless tyres eliminate pinch flat risks, allowing for safely running lower pressures. Lower pressures improve grip, making tubeless setups beneficial for road bikes venturing onto light off-road or gravel surfaces, especially with larger tyres.
Why Road Bike Tyres Lose Pressure Over Time
Continental Grand Prix 5000 AS TR tyres
Tyres naturally lose pressure over time due to permeation—air passing through the tyre structure. This is inherent to tyre materials. Regularly check tyre pressure before each ride and top up as needed. For long-term bike storage, hanging the bike or periodically inflating tyres prevents tube damage from prolonged ground contact when deflated.
Fine-Tuning Your Road Bike Tyre Pressure for Optimal Performance
No one likes to be stuck at the side of the road fixing a puncture. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Experimentation is key to fine-tuning tyre pressure. Start with recommended pressures and consider your typical road conditions. For pristine tarmac, recommendations are likely close to optimal. For rougher roads, gradually reduce pressure in small increments (around 5psi) with each ride. Pay attention to how the bike feels to identify the sweet spot between speed and comfort. Aim for a smooth ride without the tyres feeling unstable in corners. Remember, it’s better to err slightly on the lower side.
Advanced Field Testing for Tyre Pressure Optimisation
If you're really serious, you could conduct some basic field testing with a power meter to try to find your optimal pressure. Simon Bromley / Immediate Media
For serious optimisation, use a reliable power meter for field testing. Find a consistent climb with a gradient over 5%. Test different tyre pressures, noting the power needed to maintain a speed, or speed achieved at a set power. The goal is to find the pressure requiring the least power for a given speed or yielding the highest speed for a set power output. Maintain consistent variables (system weight, position, weather) for accurate results.
Selecting the Right Tyres for Your Riding Style
Different tyres perform uniquely. Over time, you’ll discover which tyres suit your riding preferences. Consult buyer’s guides for the best road bike tyres and best tubeless tyres when considering new tyres.
