One of the most simple things you can do to your bike to improve the quality of your ride is checking and adjusting your tire pressure periodically.

The desired tire pressure will always depend on the type of bike, rider's weight and preference, riding surface and weather conditions. Generally speaking the lower the tire pressure the more grip you’ll have and the bike will inspire more confidence, especially when cornering. The higher the tire pressure the less rolling resistance you’ll get and the bike will feel faster.

Your tire comes with the minimum and sometimes maximum tire pressures written on the sidewall. When inflating your tires, make sure to stay within that range. Adopting the higher end if you’re a heavier unit and the lower end if you’re closer to say, feather-weight.

MTB

For MTBs we like to go anywhere from 20-40psi. We would recommend running your front tire pressure slightly lower than your rear, so you get better grip and more responsive steering. For tubeless setup we recommend 20-30psi, if you’re running tubes we recommend somewhere between 30-40psi.  

Some of our models come equipped with tubeless ready rims and tires, if that’s the case you’ll just need to add tubeless valves and sealant to get rolling without tubes. Tubeless allows you to run lower pressures without the risk of pinching your tube, providing better traction and a smoother rolling tire.

In case you decide to go tubeless, we definitely recommend considering running some rim protection such as CushCore or Tannus Tubeless Armor, as this would allow you to play with lower pressures and get the most out of your ride without smashing your rims.

ROAD

For road bikes we like to set the tire pressure between 90-110psi on both tires. Tubeless is not as common for roadies as it is for mountain bikers, despite that you can still run a road bike tubeless. For that you’ll need tubeless specific rims and tires, as well as rim tape, valves and sealant. Again, tubeless will allow you to run a lower tire pressure without the risk of punctures, and consequently get improved grip. For road tubeless we recommend setting the pressure somewhere between 70-90psi.

For gravel and cyclocross bikes we would consider 50-70psi for tubes and 40-60psi for tubeless.

HYBRID

For hybrid, commuters and urban bikes we would set tire pressure between 60-80psi, considering the manufacturer’s specifications.

Now you have your head around different tire pressures and the impact that it can have on your next ride, make sure to check it periodically as the tire pressure will naturally go down with time.

And there you have it, how to set your tire pressure like a pro! For more fine adjustments guides, check out our Workshop Series. Make sure to enjoy your time maintaining your bike as much as you do riding it, and happy riding!

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