Tire pressure in cycling: the definitive guide
Properly adjusting your tire pressure is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your performance, comfort, and safety. Correct pressure optimizes grip, reduces the risk of punctures, and helps you ride faster with less effort.
Key factors that determine pressure
- Type: road or gravel.
- Tire type: tubeless or with inner tube.
- Tire width: wider = less pressure.
- Cyclist's weight: the greater the weight, the more pressure.
- Terrain: smooth, rough, compacted gravel, loose terrain.
Recommended tire pressures for road use
Indicative values in BAR for asphalt, rider + bike + luggage included in the weight. Adjust ±0.2 bar according to terrain and feel.
| Weight (kg) | 23mm Camera | 23 mm Tubeless | 25mm Camera | 25 mm Tubeless | 28mm Camera | 28 mm Tubeless | 30mm Camera | 30 mm Tubeless | 32mm Camera | 32 mm Tubeless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 |
| 60 | 7.3 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| 65 | 7.6 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 4.8 |
| 70 | 8.0 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| 75 | 8.3 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 5.3 |
| 80 | 8.6 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 5.5 |
| 85 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 5.8 |
| 90 | 9.3 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| 95 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 6.3 |
Recommended tire pressures for gravel
Guideline values in BAR for compact slopes. Reduce by 0.2–0.5 bar on loose or technical terrain.
| Weight (kg) | 35mm Camera | 35 mm Tubeless | 38mm Camera | 38 mm Tubeless | 40mm Camera | 40 mm Tubeless | 42mm Camera | 42 mm Tubeless | 45mm Camera | 45 mm Tubeless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 23 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 23 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| 60 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 23 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 23 | 1.8 |
| 65 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 23 | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| 70 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 23 |
| 75 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
| 80 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 2.8 |
| 85 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| 90 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.3 |
| 95 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
Adjustments according to conditions
- Intense heat: drops 0.2 bar to compensate for expansion.
- Cold: slightly higher initial pressure.
- Rain: reduce 0.3–0.5 bar to gain grip.
- Altitude: Pressure set at the starting level; avoid overinflating at high altitude.
Common mistakes
- Always use the maximum pressure indicated on the tire.
- Not taking into account your actual weight with luggage.
- Not checking the pressure before a long ride.
At Dog Days we advise you
If you want to know the exact pressure for your setup, at Dog Days we can help you adjust your tires, whether for road, gravel, or mixed use. Contact us or stop by our shop for a complete check-up.
