Proper tire pressure on a bicycle is crucial. Few people realize that it influences many factors. Firstly, a tire that is more inflated has less rolling resistance, and conversely, the lower the pressure, the greater the rolling resistance. Secondly, less air makes the tire softer, which improves ride comfort. High tire pressure, on the other hand, limits comfort solely to the comfort of the saddle on your bike. However, this only works in ideal conditions – on a track or a flat road. In practice, a very hard tire will bounce over bumps, resulting in... greater resistance. That's why wider tires, allowing for lower tire pressure, have become prevalent on road bikes in recent years. However, too low tire pressure can cause rim damage, which can result in a trip to a bike shop for wheel truing or the need to buy a new one. Another argument for maintaining proper tire pressure is the risk of pinching an inner tube. We therefore recommend maintaining the correct pressure in your bicycle tires.

Detailed information about valves - Bicycle valve - types and applications

Recommended bicycle tire pressure

Most bicycle tires have the pressure listed on the sidewall. Sometimes, you don't need to search for and read manuals; simply checking the tire's information is enough. If that's not enough, some manufacturers list the optimal pressure on their websites (Continental, Michelin, Schwalbe, etc.). A lot also depends on the user's weight and preferences. There's no single correct setting for all tire types and users. Weight and the terrain you'll be riding on are key. Remember, even the best inner tubes aren't perfectly airtight, and the air pressure should be checked at least every 2-3 weeks. Also, take care of your valves —especially Presta-style valves are susceptible to damage from low-quality pumps.

Information about the recommended tire pressure is standard, but sometimes it is not visible at first glance.

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1 bar is how much psi

Bicycle tire pressure is measured in one of these two units. In sports, psi is typically used, but most "regular" users prefer the more familiar unit. The conversion rate is as follows: 1 bar is approximately 14.5 psi.

Mountain bike pressure

The optimal pressure range isn't wide, but it all depends on the terrain we plan to explore. If we want to ride in the mountains, we need to remember that the terrain we'll be riding on is very demanding. Low pressure will expose us to rim damage or a flat tire, while over-inflated tires will cause us to bounce over roots and rocks, and instead of absorbing bumps, we'll end up bouncing over them. A regular ride in the woods, on the other hand, requires lower pressure. Tubeless systems have allowed us to reduce the pressure to exceptionally low values. This allows us to achieve tremendous traction and confident cycling. The recommended pressure for inner tubes is 2.0-3.5 bar. Tubeless systems will be 1.4-2.5 bar (although I know some that go below 1.0, but I recommend this only with wide, high-quality rims and a low rider weight).

Road bike pressure

These bikes are designed for fast riding on paved roads, and we use quite high pressures for them, by cycling standards. If you're training, I recommend using slightly lower pressures, which will significantly improve your comfort and grip. On the other hand, during competitions, I recommend using slightly higher pressures – this will reduce rolling resistance and improve your time. It's worth sticking to the manufacturer's recommendations (located on the tires), but I recommend experimenting a bit and adjusting the optimal pressure to your own preferences. Recommended pressure is 5.0-9 bar. Tubular tires typically use slightly higher pressures, in extreme cases even up to 15 bar, but we don't recommend such attempts for everyday use.

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Pressure in a cross and trekking bike

Here, tire pressure is a compromise between ride comfort and rolling resistance. For hard roads, you can increase the pressure; for gravel, you can reduce it slightly. The recommended pressure is 2.5–5.5 bar.

City bike pressure

It's worth using a little more pressure, as these bikes are primarily intended for paved roads. Many people ride with too little pressure, which negatively impacts the tires and often results in replacing the inner tube. The recommended pressure is 2.5-5.0 bar. Our bikes are a bit of an exception here – due to their road bike origins, they typically require higher tire pressure.

Fatbike pressure

We use relatively low pressure in these fat tires, allowing them to handle even the most uneven surfaces. They perform excellently off-road, but asphalt is no friend to a fat bike. Remember what the manufacturer's tire says! Recommended pressure is 0.5-2.0 bar. Still unclear? Ask us a question! In summary, it's always worth following the manufacturer's recommendations, but we have a range of settings that allow you to adjust the settings to your own preferences. Tire choice is half the battle when it comes to cycling comfort. Brand-name tires are made of higher-quality rubber, and the tread is always adapted to the terrain you ride on. There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all tire, and there's no such thing as one perfect tire pressure!

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