Repair guides › Wheels & Tires
Set tire pressure
The tire gives grip and comfort; the tube inside holds the air. The tire bead hooks under the rim edge. Rim tape covers the spoke holes. Pressure is the biggest free upgrade on any bike: wider tires at lower pressure grip and roll better on rough ground; narrower and firmer is quicker on smooth pavement. Presta valves are thin with a lock nut; Schrader are car-style.
Open this job in RideLoadout▶ Watch it done
Tools
- Floor pump with gauge: Topeak JoeBlow Sport III ($$)
- Presta-to-Schrader valve adapter: AstroAI Brass Presta Valve Adapter (4 pack) ($)
- Digital pressure gauge: Topeak SmartGauge D2 ($$)
Compare Good, Better and Best for each tool
Steps
- Look at My Bike for your calculated pressure. It uses your weight, the tire size and the surface.
- Presta: unscrew the little valve tip, tap it to free it, attach the pump head and flip the lever.
- Pump to the targets shown; the rear is higher because it carries about 60% of your weight; the app works out each wheel separately.
- Never go above the max or below the min printed on the sidewall, or above the rim's max. Hookless (straight-sidewall) rims: 72.5 psi (5 bar) max or lower if the rim says so, and only tubeless tires approved for hookless.
Signs it needs doing
- Flat (pinch flat = two little slits, "snakebite" = pressure too low)
- Cuts or threads showing
- Bulge in the sidewall (stop riding)
- Squared-off tread on the rear