Ideal Road Bike Tire Pressure for Maximum Performance and Comfort

While high tire pressure has been shown to increase speed on a velodrome, on a road bike, too much pressure can actually slow down the ride. Why is that? We'll discuss this in this article.

On road bikes, the often uneven roads cause problems when using high tire pressures. Unsmooth surfaces, such as small potholes, speed bumps, and other irregularities, cause the bike to vibrate and jump. Although these vibrations feel fast, in reality, they slow the bike down.

Lower tire pressure can be a solution. With lower pressure, the bike tire can adjust to uneven road surfaces without having to make the whole bike go up and down. This is not only more efficient, but also increases the tire's grip on the road, giving you more confidence when going through turns and descents at high speed.

Bicycle tire pressure should be adjusted to the overall system weight, which includes the weight of the bike, the load being carried, and the weight of the rider. To determine the appropriate tire pressure, you can use a tire pressure calculator available online. Tire width also plays an important role in determining the required pressure.

It is important to ensure that the selected tire pressure does not exceed the specifications of the rim and tire used. This can cause problems with the safety, performance, and life of the components. For example, here are the tire pressure specifications for the Strummer Aeroflow Pro D35 carbon rim:

Table: Example of tire pressure limit specifications on Strummer Aeroflow D35 carbon rims. These specifications apply only to Strummer Aeroflow D35 Carbon rims. Other rims may have different tire pressure limits.

So, high tire pressure is suitable for velodromes with smooth surfaces, while lower tire pressure is more recommended for road bikes that operate on roads that are often perfect. This low tire pressure can increase speed, comfort, and safety during the trip.