{"id":50814,"date":"2023-06-16T17:00:06","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T15:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=734615"},"modified":"2023-06-16T17:35:38","modified_gmt":"2023-06-16T15:35:38","slug":"gravel-bike-tyre-pressure-explained-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/gravel-bike-tyre-pressure-explained-everything-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Gravel bike tyre pressure explained | Everything you need to know\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to find the correct tyre pressure for your gravel bike\u00a0 <\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 16 June 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Tyre choice and tyre pressure are the two factors that will have the biggest impact on the performance, control and comfort of your gravel bike.<\/p>\n

Tyre pressure is the easiest of these two variables to control, and getting the right gravel tyre pressure for your bike will make a huge difference to your ride.<\/p>\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll run through why getting your gravel bike tyre pressure right is so important and the factors that can help you find a pressure that works best for you.<\/p>\n

While the exact pressure will be specific to every rider, their bike and the trails they ride on, it\u2019s fairly easy to get into the right ballpark.<\/p>\n

We contacted WTB for additional guidance on optimising your gravel bike tyre pressure and have included some of the brand\u2019s opinions below.<\/p>\n

However, you can also skip to our recommended gravel tyre pressure chart<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve also got guides to road bike tyre pressures<\/a> and mountain bike tyre pressures<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Key points to consider<\/h2>\n

Before we delve into the details, it\u2019s worth considering why optimising the pressure of your gravel bike tyres<\/a> is so important.<\/p>\n

Why is gravel tyre pressure so important?<\/h3>\n
\""Vittoria\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Your tyres are the one component that connect your bike to the road or trail.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Finding the optimal tyre pressure will make your gravel riding<\/a> easier, more comfortable and you\u2019ll find an increase in grip on all terrain, as well as a reduced risk of puncturing.<\/p>\n

In fact, WTB says \u201ctyre pressure is the only way to fine-tune how your bike reacts to the terrain\u201d.<\/p>\n

Optimising gravel bike tyre pressure is also critical to reduce rolling resistance \u2013 how much energy your tyres absorb as they roll \u2013 and improve comfort.<\/p>\n

If your gravel bike tyre pressure is too low, it will take more effort to maintain your chosen speed because energy is lost in the deformation of the tyre casing and friction between the tyre and ground.<\/p>\n

You also risk potential sidewall and rim damage. The tyre will squirm under you as you ride and if you\u2019re running tubeless tyres<\/a>, you also risk burping the tyre. A burp is where the tyre bead briefly comes away from the rim, expelling air.<\/p>\n

\""Basso\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Rock-hard tyres aren\u2019t really good for anything.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If your pressure is too high, the tyre will transfer vibrations from the road or trail to your hands, resulting in decreased comfort and wasted energy.<\/p>\n

An over-inflated tyre reduces deformation when you hit a rock or root and the tyre will also be more prone to sliding out.<\/p>\n

An over-inflated tyre may also be slower because it will be unable to deform to imperfections on the trail.<\/p>\n

Harder does not always equal faster<\/h3>\n
\""Mountain\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Minimum and maximum pressure is displayed on the tyre\u2019s sidewall.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Although high tyre pressures might feel fast, they\u2019re usually not unless you only ride your gravel bike<\/a> on the road \u2013 and, even then, it\u2019s not always the case.<\/p>\n

Once you go past a certain point, increased pressure will decrease grip, increass high-frequency vibrations and cause extra muscular fatigue.<\/p>\n

WTB says \u201cif you\u2019re unsure where to start, it\u2019s best to start with your tyres a little firmer, then drop the pressure as you go until it feels right\u201d because it\u2019s easier to drop pressure in small increments than have to stop and inflate the tyre with a mini-pump mid-ride.<\/p>\n

What you\u2019ll need<\/h3>\n
\""Silca\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A pressure gauge is a crucial feature.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Marvin \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Ideally, you\u2019ll need a good-quality track or floor pump<\/a> with an in-built pressure gauge.<\/p>\n

Although you don\u2019t need to spend the earth, it\u2019s worth investing in the best possible option you can because it will see a lot of long-term use.<\/p>\n

Investing in one of the best tyre pressure gauges<\/a> can work wonders too if you really want to fine-tune your tyres.<\/p>\n

Recommended gravel bike tyre pressures<\/h2>\n
\""Topeak\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A digital pressure gauge can help you fine-tune your pressures.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Some tyre manufacturers offer specific pressure recommendations or calculators for their range of gravel bike tyres depending on your weight. These can often make for a good starting point.<\/p>\n

Once you have inflated your tyre, it is worth measuring the actual size. Gravel bike wheels<\/a> vary in rim widths and you might find the tyre measures narrower or wider than the size stated on the sidewall.<\/p>\n

If the actual inflated tyre width is wider, you\u2019ll want to use slightly less pressure than recommended and vice versa.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth noting if there is an upper pressure limit set by the rim and tyre manufacturer, which will typically be found on the rim or tyre sidewall. You shouldn\u2019t exceed the lower measurement of the two.<\/p>\n

If you have a set of wheels with hookless rims, the maximum permitted tyre pressure may be much lower than with hooked rims.<\/p>\n

Below is a table of recommended gravel tyre pressures for a range of system weights and tyre widths. This is based on our experience, recommendations from tyre brands and suggested pressures from tyre calculators.<\/p>\n

Again, it\u2019s worth stressing these are just starting points \u2013 experimentation is encouraged to find the right gravel tyre pressure for you.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also want to make sure you check your pressures before every ride because tyres deflate over time.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup>
\ufeffMeasured tyre width (mm)<\/th>System weight (kg)<\/th>Suggested front tyre pressure (psi)<\/th>Suggested rear tyre pressure (psi) <\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
35<\/td>65<\/td>36<\/td>38<\/td> <\/tr>
75<\/td>37<\/td>39<\/td> <\/tr>
85<\/td>38<\/td>40<\/td> <\/tr>
95<\/td>39<\/td>41<\/td> <\/tr>
105<\/td>40<\/td>42<\/td> <\/tr>
40<\/td>65<\/td>29<\/td>31<\/td> <\/tr>
75<\/td>30<\/td>32<\/td> <\/tr>
85<\/td>31<\/td>33<\/td> <\/tr>
95<\/td>32<\/td>34<\/td> <\/tr>
105<\/td>33<\/td>35<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>