Feature image: Closeup bicycle tire by Thananat
More about tire pressure
A little more or less air can make a big difference when cycling. But how often should you check the air pressure in your bicycle tires? And what is the optimum tire pressure? The most important tips.-
Tire pressure varies depending on bike type
-
Unfavorable: Too much or too little air pressure
-
Up to 1 bar of air can escape per month
Which bike needs which tire pressure?
The optimum air pressure for bicycle tires depends on various factors. The size of the tires, the weight of the cyclist and the nature of the surface must be taken into account.
The MOUGG indicates the minimum and maximum permissible tire pressure on the side of each bicycle tire.
The optimum air pressure for the bike
The optimum air pressure for bicycles is subject to various criteria, but in general the following effects of a rather high or low air pressure of the bicycle tires can be cited:
High tire pressure
* Low rolling resistance on smooth surfaces (e.g. on an asphalt road or cycle path)
* Low wear and tear
* Less susceptible to punctures / higher puncture protection
Low tire pressure
* Low rolling resistance on uneven surfaces (e.g. forest and gravel paths)
* Greater ride comfort due to shock-absorbing effect
* More grip
Tire pressure for city and trekking bikes
City and trekking bikes are often ridden on very different surfaces: both on asphalt roads in the city and on rough off-road paths during a bike tour. It is therefore safest to ride with medium tire pressure in the pressure range indicated on the tire sidewall. However, depending on your riding style and weight, too low an air pressure can quickly damage tires and rims. When driving over bumps such as kerbs, the tire can puncture and damage the rim.
How often should I check the air pressure?
You should check the air pressure of your bicycle tires regularly and inflate them if necessary. You should check that everything is in order, especially before long bike tours. Even a tight inner tube loses an average of around 1 bar of pressure per month. If you have children who are keen cyclists, you should show them from an early age what to look out for when measuring air pressure.
