What Tyre Pressure Should I Use on My Bike?
If you have ever pumped up your tyres and wondered whether you have got it right, you are not alone. What tyre pressure should I use on my bike is one of the questions we are asked most at our Heathfield workshop, and the good news is the answer is simple: stay within the range printed on the sidewall, then fine-tune it for your bike, your weight and where you ride. In this guide we run through the typical pressures for road, hybrid, gravel, mountain and electric bikes, how weight and weather change things, tubeless versus inner tubes, and how often to check, so you can get it right every time you head out across East Sussex.
What Tyre Pressure Should I Use on My Bike?
The most reliable guide is printed on the tyre itself. Every bike tyre has a recommended pressure range moulded into the sidewall, usually shown in psi (pounds per square inch) and bar. Staying within that range is the golden rule, and you should never go above the maximum. Within the range, lighter riders and wet or loose surfaces suit the lower end, while heavier riders and smooth, dry roads suit the higher end. Wider tyres run at lower pressures than narrow ones, and tubeless setups can usually go lower still without the risk of a pinch flat. Below we break the typical ranges down by the type of bike you ride.
Recommended Tyre Pressures by Bike Type
These are typical guide ranges. Always check your own sidewall first, as the exact figures vary between tyres.
Road bikes
Road tyres run at the highest pressures. As a rough guide, a 25mm road bike tyre sits around 65 to 95 psi, a 28mm tyre around 60 to 90 psi, and a narrow 23mm tyre can go up towards 100 psi. Modern road bikes have moved towards wider tyres at slightly lower pressures for better comfort and grip, so do not assume higher is always faster.
Hybrid and commuter bikes
Hybrid and commuter tyres usually sit in the middle, often around 50 to 70 psi depending on width. These tyres vary a lot, so the sidewall is your best guide. A little less pressure gives a more comfortable ride on rough lanes, while a little more rolls faster on smooth tarmac.
Gravel and adventure bikes
Gravel tyres are wider and run much softer, typically around 30 to 50 psi depending on width and whether you are on the road or loose ground. Lower pressures give grip and comfort off-road, but go too low on inner tubes and you risk pinch punctures.
Mountain bikes
Mountain bike tyres run lowest of all, usually around 22 to 35 psi, and often lower on wide tubeless setups. The softer the tyre, the more grip you get on loose or rocky ground, but too soft and it can squirm or burp air. Many riders set the front tyre a couple of psi lower than the rear.
Electric bikes
Electric bikes are heavier and carry more weight through the tyres, so they generally need pressure at the firmer end of the range for their tyre width. Many e-bike tyres are built for specific limits, so it is especially important to check the sidewall and keep them topped up.
Children’s bikes
Children’s bike tyres are small and the correct pressure is always printed on the sidewall. As with any bike, stay within that range and check it regularly, as smaller tyres lose air noticeably.
How Your Weight and the Conditions Change It
What tyre pressure should I use on my bike also depends on you and where you ride. A heavier rider needs more pressure than a lighter one on the same tyre, roughly a few psi more for every extra stone or so of body and kit weight. Wet, muddy or loose surfaces call for slightly lower pressure to gain grip, while smooth, dry roads suit a firmer tyre that rolls faster. The hills and lanes around Crowborough, the South Downs and the Cuckoo Trail throw up a real mix of surfaces, so it is worth adjusting to suit the ride rather than setting it once and forgetting.
Tubeless or Inner Tubes?
The type of setup you run changes the numbers. Tyres with inner tubes need enough pressure to stop the tube pinching against the rim on bumps, which is what causes a pinch flat. Tubeless tyres have no inner tube, so you can safely run lower pressures for more grip and comfort, and that is one of the main reasons riders make the switch. Whichever you run, the range on the sidewall still applies.
What Happens if the Pressure Is Wrong?
Too little pressure and the tyre feels sluggish, rolls slowly, and is far more likely to pinch flat or roll on the rim in corners. Too much and the ride becomes harsh, grip drops on anything but smooth tarmac, and the tyre can wear unevenly down the centre. Setting the pressure correctly is one of the simplest ways to make your bike feel better without spending a penny. If you find yourself losing pressure quickly and topping up all the time, that is often a sign of a slow puncture or a tyre reaching the end of its life, which we cover in our guide on when to replace bike tyres.
How Often Should You Check Tyre Pressure?
Tyres lose air naturally over time, so a quick check before you ride is a good habit to get into. Road and gravel tyres lose pressure fastest and are worth checking every ride or two. Mountain and hybrid tyres hold air a little longer but still benefit from a weekly check. Knowing what tyre pressure should I use on my bike is only half the job; keeping it topped up is the other half. A floor pump, or track pump, with a built-in gauge is far more accurate than guessing by squeezing the tyre, and it makes setting the right pressure quick and easy.
Let Us Help at Cycle Revival in Heathfield
If you are not sure what pressure your tyres should be, or you would like the bike checked over, bring it in. We are an independent, family-run bike shop in Heathfield, East Sussex, and we have been looking after local riders since 1980. Our workshop is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5:30pm. We can set your tyres up correctly, check for wear or slow punctures, and get everything running smoothly as part of a regular bike service. If a tyre needs replacing or a repair is needed, we can usually sort it there and then.
Tyre pressure is just one part of keeping a bike safe and comfortable. If you are working through the rest of your maintenance, our guide on how to prepare your bike for a long ride is a useful companion read, along with our look at what actually happens in a full bike service.
Get In Touch
What tyre pressure should I use on my bike really comes down to staying within the range on the sidewall and fine-tuning it for your weight, your tyres and the conditions you ride in. Get it right and your bike will feel more comfortable, grip better and puncture less often. Whether you want us to check your tyres, fit a new set or book a full service, our team at Cycle Revival is here to help. Give the shop a call on 01435 866118, email us or fill out our contact form, and we will keep you rolling smoothly across East Sussex.
