Road Bike Tire Pressure

This article is for those of us that simply grab the old tire pump and start cranking away on it until our road bike tires are satisfactorily firm to touch and call it good. This will usually suffice and most of the time the ride will go off without a hitch. However, a little attention to the actual pressure and some small adjustments will make the ride more comfortable and maximize the rolling efficiency of the tires on the asphalt.

First thing is first. You really need a tire pump with a pressure gauge built into it. This will save you the hassle of removing the pump nozzle and applying a separate pressure gauge to check where you are. There are all kinds of different models out there and honestly just about any one will work. Note: A word of caution on buying a cheap plastic pump. They tend to break or leak fairly quickly, so spend the few extra bucks on a decent pump.

 

Road cycling tire pressures generally range between 80-105 psi. This may seem like a narrow range and that the difference is minimal, but remember that these are slender tires and tubes and a little change makes a big difference. The following are some factors that will require consideration when inflating the tires:
1. Air temperature. Cold = more air (100psi). Hot = less air (90-95psi).
2. Riding surface. Rough, cracked roads = more air to avoid pinch flats, but this results in rougher ride too.
3. Flat vs. Hilly ride. On a flat ride you can run lower air pressure and be more comfortable. On a climbing day it is advisable to increase the pressure to decrease rolling resistance and maximize efficiency for those grueling workouts (100-103psi).
4. Tire condition. If your tires are becoming worn, then be very careful not to over inflate or under inflate. This will increase your risk of flats on the ride, and nobody wants that.

Always check the inflation recommendations made by the manufacturer before adding or subtracting air from your bicycle tires.
An interesting thing about bike tires is that they tend to slowly leak when sitting in the garage for a few days and so we recommend that you check your tire pressure before every ride. This just helps to ensure a more enjoyable outing.