A free tool from Veloi — AI cycling coach
Cycling Tyre Pressure Calculator
Find your optimal front and rear tyre pressure based on your weight, tyres, and riding surface. Independent, research-backed recommendations as a starting point for your setup.
Important — read before riding
This calculator provides general pressure recommendations based on published research and real-world data. These are starting points for experimentation, not definitive specifications for your equipment.
This tool makes no claims about the compatibility of your specific rim, tyre, and tube combination. If the recommended pressures fall outside your manufacturer's specifications, always follow the manufacturer's limits. Tyre and rim manufacturers set pressure ranges for good reason — exceeding them risks tyre blowoff, rim damage, and serious injury.
Hookless (TSS) rims have strict ETRTO pressure limits — typically 5.0 bar (73 psi) for tyres up to 29mm, and 4.5 bar (65 psi) for 30mm and wider. Exceeding these limits risks the tyre blowing off the rim. Enable the 'Hookless rims' option above if you have hookless wheels. Always check your rim and tyre manufacturer's maximum pressure ratings before inflating.
When in doubt, check your manufacturer's specs and start at the lower end of the recommended range.
Why isn't this AI-powered?
We're Veloi — an AI cycling coach that analyses your training data, builds personalised plans, and adapts as you progress. We love AI. But tyre pressure is physics, not coaching. The research is clear, the maths is straightforward, and you deserve an instant answer — no chatbot required.
See what our AI coach actually doesHow tyre pressure works
Optimal tyre pressure is the point where rolling resistance, grip, and comfort are balanced. Too high, and the tyre bounces over imperfections — wasting energy as your body absorbs the shock. Too low, and the tyre deforms excessively, increasing drag and risking rim damage.
Modern research has overturned decades of conventional wisdom. On real-world road surfaces, slightly lower pressures reduce "suspension losses" (energy absorbed by your body) more than they increase rolling resistance. The net result: lower pressure is often faster, not slower.
Wider tyres compound this effect. A wider tyre at lower pressure has a shorter, wider contact patch that rolls more efficiently than a narrow tyre pumped hard. This is why the cycling world has moved from 23mm at 120 psi to 28–32mm at 70–80 psi over the past decade.
Common tyre pressure myths
Higher pressure means faster rolling, right?
On a perfectly smooth surface like a velodrome, yes. On any real road, no. The energy your body absorbs from vibration (suspension loss) outweighs the small reduction in tyre deformation. Slightly lower pressures are faster on real roads.
Should I inflate to the number on the tyre sidewall?
That number is the maximum rated pressure, not the recommended pressure. It's a safety ceiling, not a target. Most riders should run well below it.
Should front and rear be the same pressure?
No. Your rear wheel carries more weight (typically 55% for drop-bar bikes, up to 60% for mountain bikes). The rear tyre needs more pressure; the front can run lower for better grip and comfort.
Tubeless is only for mountain bikes?
Road and gravel tubeless is well established. It significantly reduces the risk of pinch flats, allowing you to run 5–10% lower pressures for better comfort and grip — with no puncture risk increase thanks to the sealant.
Built by cyclists, for cyclists
Veloi syncs with your Strava, tracks your fitness, and coaches you with AI that actually understands cycling. The tyre pressure calculator is free — the coaching is too, for your first 3 messages a day.
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