Bicycle tyre pressure and width compatibility

The following bicycle tyre pressure table is based on an average bicycle load 95.5kgs (210 lbs), comprising rider 80kgs (176 lbs) and bicycle 15.5kgs (34 lbs), distributed 45% and 55% over front and rear wheels respectively. The pressure should be adjusted accordingly to your circumstances, e.g. if you have a front basket fitted and are using it for carrying things you should have increased your front tyre pressure to reflect such change in total weight distribution.

Similarly, if the total load your bike carries (rider + bike + load) is over 210 lbs you should add 1 psi for every lb over (or if the total load is less than 210 lbs, subtract 1 psi for every lb). Also, if you use your bike differently from commuting, like downhill, jumps, etc., you should work with even load distribution and inflate your front tyre to the same tyre pressure as the rear one.

If the desired pressure is higher than maximum pressure marked on tyre, you would be better getting slightly wider tyre (if the rim and the frame/forks allow for that) or tyre that is made for higher pressure (higher density of casing cord, or TPI).

If you wish to know more about bicycle tyres and tubes, I can highly recommend Sheldon Brown’s Cycle Tyres and Tubes.

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