Inflation Pressure

• Why is inflation pressure so important in bicycle tires?
• How often should tire pressures be checked?
• What is the correct inflation pressure for my tire?

Why is inflation pressure so important in bicycle tires?

Only a tire with sufficient inflation pressure can bear the weight of a bicycle. The higher the inflation pressure, the lower the rolling resistance and higher pressure also reduces the likelihood of a puncture.

Long-term, under-inflation often leads to premature tire wear and aging, commonly resulting in sidewall cracking and increased tire wear.

On the other hand, an under-inflated tire absorbs road shocks better.

Wide tires are generally used at low pressure. The advantages are that the large air volume absorbs road bumps and holes without the drawbacks of high rolling resistance, less puncture protection and tire wear.

How often should tire pressures be checked?

The inflation pressure should be checked and adjusted at least once a month. Even the best tubes constantly lose pressure as, contrary to car tires, the pressure required in bicycle tires is much higher and wall thickness is much thinner. A pressure loss of 1 bar per month can be viewed as normal, but pressure loss will be much faster if high inflation pressures are used and much slower when low inflation pressures are preferred.

When using latex tubes, it is best to check and adjust inflation pressures before every ride.

Use a pressure gauge to monitor inflation pressure. The widespread thumb-test method is very inaccurate as all tires will feel identically hard from a pressure of 2 bar up.

What is the correct inflation pressure for my tire?

It is impossible to make a general recommendation on inflation pressure for a specific bicycle or a particular tire. The “right” inflation pressure depends mainly on the load exerted on the tire. This weight is mainly influenced by the weight of the rider and any luggage. Contrary to a car, the vehicle weight is only a minor part of the total weight. In addition there is a great diversity of individual preferences with regard to low rolling resistance or suspension comfort.

The permitted inflation pressure range is marked on the tire sidewall. Remember that the higher the inflation pressure, the lower are the rolling resistance, wear and likelihood of a puncture. The lower the inflation pressure, the higher are the comfort and grip that the tires provide.

The list of inflation pressure recommendations on the right can only provide a very general guide. The recommendations are for an “average rider” weighing about 75 kg.

If you are heavier or carry luggage, you should chose a higher inflation pressure. You can also increase the inflation pressure if you prefer lower rolling resistance. It is recommendable that higher inflation pressures are used on very small diameter tires such as low profile race bikes and folding bikes.

Lighter weight riders or riders who prefer a comfortable ride can chose an accordingly lower inflation pressure, but the actual tire pressures should never be higher or lower than the maximum and minimum inflation pressures marked on the tire sidewall.