How to ensure your bike has the correct tire pressure
Just like with driving a car, it is essential that your bike tires have the correct tire pressure. This makes cycling a lot more comfortable and makes sure that you are safe while on the way. Every different type of bike has a different ideal tire pressure. In this blog we’ll talk about the ideal tire pressure for each type of bike, why proper tire pressure is essential and how you can check the tire pressure yourself.
Why is the right tire pressure important?
First of all, riding a bike with the correct tire pressure is much more comfortable. If the tires are too soft, it becomes harder to move forward; if they are too hard, you feel every bump and have less grip. Additionally, maintaining the correct tire pressure prevents unnecessary wear and tear. For electric bikes, there’s an added benefit: the battery lasts longer when you ride with the correct tire pressure, as the bike operates more efficiently.
The tire pressure of your bike is easiest checked by a tire pressure meter. This handy device immediately tells you the tire pressure of your bike. Another way to do this is by using a bike pump with built-in pressure gauge.
The values we mention below for each type of bike apply to average weather conditions. If it is very slippery or wet, you might consider letting some air out of the tires to gain a bit more grip on the road.
The tire pressure for an electric bike
Let’s start with electric bikes. Although the tire pressure of electrical bikes often gets checked during maintenance, it’s still important to do this yourself regularly. Ideally, you would check this every 4 weeks. The ideal tire pressure lies between 4 and 5.5 bar, depending on factors such as the type of tire, size and the rider’s body weight. If you want to know exactly what the tire pressure should be in your situation, your local bike shop can assist you with this.
Ideal tire pressure for a city bike
City bikes may resemble electric bikes in terms of their design, but due to the absence of the entire electrical system, these bikes are often much lighter. This means that the tire pressure doesn’t need to be as high: typically, between 3.5 and 4.5 bar is sufficient. If you have wider tires than average, slightly less pressure may be adequate.
The correct tire pressure for a racing bike
The tires of a racing bike usually get pumped up more so that the driver can race on the road surface in the smoothest way possible. The average tire pressure for racing bikes usually lies between 6 and 8 bar. Pay attention that you don’t pump up your tires too hard; that increases the risk of a flat tire.
Mountainbikes: check your terrain
For mountain bikes, it’s difficult to give a general recommendation because the amount of pressure needed in the tire is highly personal. Generally, it’s assumed that the rougher the terrain, the lower the pressure can be. This provides more grip on the trail. However, be careful not to let the pressure get too low. Otherwise, it becomes too difficult to move forward and there’s a greater risk of getting a puncture. A good starting point is around 2.5 bar.
And finally: this is the ideal tire pressure for children’s bikes
To determine the tire pressure for a children’s bike, it’s mainly important to know the size of the wheel in inches. From there, the following values can be used as guidelines:
- Children’s bikes with small wheels (12-16 inch):
- Average tire pressure: 2 to 3 bar.
Lower pressure makes for more comfort on uneven surfaces
- Children’s bikes with medium wheels (18-20 inch):
- Average tire pressure: 2.5 tot 3.5 bar.
- Adjust the pressure based on the weight of the child and the type of use.
- Children’s bikes with bigger wheels (22-24 inch):
- Average tire pressure: 3 tot 4.5 bar.
- Higher pressure makes for better rolling performance on hard roads.
Need help? Ask for advice
To get the tire pressure of your bike right, you can also follow the data often provided on the side of the tire, in addition to the averages mentioned above. However, keep in mind that the amount of bar indicated there is considered too high by some experts. If you’re unsure about the suitable tire pressure for your bike, seek advice from your local bike shop or reach out to our experts at SunRace!
