Bicycle Tire Pressure Chart – Road, Gravel, MTB & Fat Bike

Posted by: NEXTIE Post: 02/09/2024 View: 38324 Comments: 0

Optimal bicycle tire pressure balances riding speed, comfort, and safety. The right pressure varies depending on your bike type, riding conditions, and personal preferences.

The key factors that influence tire pressure include: system weight (rider + bike + cargo), rim inner width, tire size, rim bead type (hook or hookless), rim strength, weather, and temperature.

Below you'll find our recommended tire pressure values for NEXTIE carbon rims. For a more precise calculation, use the online tire pressure calculator or contact our team.

Tire Pressure Quick Reference

Bicycle Type	Tire Pressure
Road or Cyclocross Bicycle	40 ~ 110 psi
Gravel Bicycle	30 ~ 80 psi
Mountain Bicycle	20 ~ 35 psi
Fat Bike / Beach Bicycle	5 ~ 20 psi

Road or Cyclocross Bike / Tire Pressure

Road and cyclocross tires require higher pressure for speed and efficiency. Select your rim model below to find the recommended range.

Riding	Internal Width	Tire Pressure	Tire Size	System Weight	Reference Model
General Road	Hook 19mm	47 ~ 112 psi	23 ~ 42 mm	80 ~ 134 Kg	NXT35RX
General Road	Hook 19mm	47 ~ 122 psi	23 ~ 42 mm	80 ~ 154 Kg	NXT60RX
General Road	Hook 20mm	38 ~ 106 psi	24 ~ 44 mm	80 ~ 180 Kg	NXT20DRX
General Road	Hook 21mm	36 ~ 100 psi	25 ~ 47 mm	80 ~ 134 Kg	NXT30CRX
General Road	Hook 21mm	36 ~ 114 psi	25 ~ 47 mm	80 ~ 169 Kg	NXT65CRX
General Road	Hook 22mm	33 ~ 98 psi	26 ~ 49 mm	80 ~ 200 Kg	NXT22DRX
General Road	Hook 24mm	30 ~ 82 psi	28 ~ 53 mm	80 ~ 138 Kg	NXT29ARX
General Road	Hook 24mm	30 ~ 96 psi	28 ~ 53 mm	80 ~ 173 Kg	NXT65ARX
General Road	Hook 25mm	28 ~ 81 psi	29 ~ 55 mm	80 ~ 139 Kg	NXT30CGX
General Road	Hook 25mm	28 ~ 91 psi	29 ~ 55 mm	80 ~ 169 Kg	NXT60CGX
General Road	Hookless 25mm	29 ~ 60 psi	33 ~ 50 mm	80 ~ 138 Kg	NXT29ARX-Z
General Road	Hookless 25mm	29 ~ 62 psi	33 ~ 50 mm	80 ~ 163 Kg	NXT54ARX-Z

Gravel Bike / Tire Pressure

Gravel riding balances speed and comfort. These recommendations cover both hook and hookless rim options.

Riding	Internal Width	Tire Pressure	Tire Size	System Weight	Reference Model
Gravel	Hook 20mm	29 ~ 82 psi	28 ~ 50 mm	80 ~ 180 Kg	NXT20DRX
Gravel	Hook 21mm	29 ~ 78 psi	28 ~ 52 mm	80 ~ 134 Kg	NXT30CRX
Gravel	Hook 21mm	29 ~ 89 psi	28 ~ 52 mm	80 ~ 169 Kg	NXT65CRX
Gravel	Hook 22mm	27 ~ 79 psi	28 ~ 55 mm	80 ~ 200 Kg	NXT22DRX
Gravel	Hook 24mm	27 ~ 74 psi	28 ~ 60 mm	80 ~ 138 Kg	NXT29ARX
Gravel	Hook 24mm	27 ~ 85 psi	28 ~ 60 mm	80 ~ 173 Kg	NXT65ARX
Gravel	Hook 25mm	26 ~ 70 psi	29 ~ 62 mm	80 ~ 139 Kg	NXT30CGX
Gravel	Hook 25mm	26 ~ 82 psi	29 ~ 62 mm	80 ~ 169 Kg	NXT60CGX
Gravel	Hook 29mm	20 ~ 60 psi	33 ~ 72 mm	80 ~ 154 Kg	NXT45AGX
Gravel	Hookless 25mm	22 ~ 57 psi	33 ~ 62 mm	80 ~ 138 Kg	NXT29ARX-Z
Gravel	Hookless 25mm	22 ~ 59 psi	33 ~ 62 mm	80 ~ 163 Kg	NXT54ARX-Z
Gravel	Hookless 30mm	19 ~ 48 psi	38 ~ 75 mm	80 ~ 156 Kg	NXT45AGX-Z

Mountain Bike / Tire Pressure

MTB tire pressure varies significantly by discipline. Choose your riding style — Cross Country, All Mountain, Enduro, or Down Hill — for the right range.

Riding	Internal Width (Hookless)	Tire Pressure	Tire Size	System Weight	Reference Model
Cross Country	21mm	23 ~ 34 psi	1.8" ~ 2.15"	85 ~ 126 Kg	NXT29RM27
Cross Country	22mm	22 ~ 32 psi	1.8" ~ 2.2"	85 ~ 120 Kg	NXT29UM27
Cross Country	24mm	22 ~ 31 psi	1.9" ~ 2.3"	85 ~ 103 Kg	NXT29UML30
Cross Country	25mm	21 ~ 30 psi	1.9" ~ 2.35"	85 ~ 137 Kg	NXT29UM30
Cross Country	27mm	20 ~ 30 psi	2.0 ~ 2.45"	85 ~ 120 Kg	NXT29XM33
Cross Country	28mm	19 ~ 27 psi	2.1" ~ 2.5"	85 ~ 112 Kg	NXT29UML34
Cross Country	30mm	18 ~ 30 psi	2.1" ~ 2.6"	85 ~ 143 Kg	Omega 36U
All Mountain	27mm	23 ~ 35 psi	2.0" ~ 2.45"	85 ~ 119 Kg	NXT29XM33
All Mountain	29mm	22 ~ 34 psi	2.1" ~ 2.6"	85 ~ 132 Kg	NXT29XML35
All Mountain	30mm	20 ~ 33 psi	2.1" ~ 2.7"	85 ~ 143 Kg	Omega 36
All Mountain	32mm	19 ~ 30 psi	2.15" ~ 2.9"	85 ~ 132 Kg	NXT29XML38
All Mountain	35mm	18 ~ 29 psi	2.25" ~ 3.1"	85 ~ 145 Kg	NXT29XM41
All Mountain	40mm	17 ~ 25 psi	2.4" ~ 3.3"	85 ~ 136 Kg	NXT29XM46
Enduro	30mm	20 ~ 32 psi	2.1" ~ 2.7"	85 ~ 134 Kg	NXT29XM36
Enduro	32mm	19 ~ 32 psi	2.15" ~ 2.9"	85 ~ 152 Kg	Omega 40
Enduro	35mm	18 ~ 29 psi	2.25" ~ 3.1"	85 ~ 134 Kg	NXT29XM41
Enduro	40mm	17 ~ 27 psi	2.4" ~ 3.3"	85 ~ 136 Kg	NXT29XM46
Enduro	45mm	15 ~ 25 psi	2.6" ~ 3.5"	85 ~ 160 Kg	NXT29JF52-II
Down Hill	30mm	21 ~ 34 psi	2.1" ~ 2.7"	85 ~ 136 Kg	NXT29XD39
Down Hill	32mm	20 ~ 32 psi	2.25" ~ 2.9"	85 ~ 156 Kg	Omega 40D

Fat Bike / Tire Pressure

Fat bike tires run at the lowest pressures for maximum traction on soft terrain. Use these ranges as a starting point and adjust based on conditions.

Internal Width	Tire Pressure	Tire Size	System Weight	Reference Model
49mm	16 ~ 24 psi	2.6" ~ 3.8"	85 ~ 134 Kg	Xiphias 55
58 ~ 59mm	8 ~ 20 psi	3.2" ~ 4.5"	85 ~ 134 Kg	Xiphias 65
64mm	7 ~ 19 psi	3.2" ~ 4.6"	85 ~ 140 Kg	Xiphias 70
74mm	6 ~ 19 psi	3.5" ~ 4.8"	85 ~ 146 Kg	Xiphias 80
78 ~ 79mm	6 ~ 19 psi	3.8" ~ 5.0"	85 ~ 157 Kg	Xiphias 85
83mm	5 ~ 15 psi	4.0" ~ 5.2"	85 ~ 200 Kg	Wild Dragon 90
89mm	5 ~ 15 psi	4.2" ~ 5.5"	85 ~ 177 Kg	Xiphias 95
99mm	4 ~ 12 psi	4.6” ~ 5.5"	85 ~ 185 Kg	Xiphias 105
120mm	3 ~ 10 psi	5.2" ~ 6.0"	85 ~ 200 Kg	Drunken Rhinoceros 128

Generally, higher tire pressure could make riding easier and thus increase riding speed especially on smooth road, while lower tire pressure could improve comfort and grip. We come up with the following recommendations for bicycle tire pressure.

Tips for Tire Pressure

Understanding the factors that affect tire pressure will help you dial in the perfect setup for any ride. Here are six key principles to guide you:

1. Rougher Terrain, Lower Pressure

Rougher the terrain, lower the required tire pressure. Smooth paved roads favor higher pressure for speed, while rough terrain necessitates lower pressure for better traction and control. Mountain bikes, with their wider and knobby tires designed for tackle rough terrain, including loose dirt, rocks, roots, and even jumps, need a lower tire pressure. Lower pressure improves traction and shock absorption, essential for handling rough and uneven surfaces. Road bikes require higher pressure because they are designed to go faster and smoother on even surfaces.

2. Heavier Load, Higher Pressure

Heavier the system weight, higher the required tire pressure. Bicycle wheels generally have an important parameter, which is the maximum system weight. Heavier riders may require higher tire pressures to prevent excessive tire deformation and improve efficiency. For about every 5kg of weight, add or subtract 2 PSI for road bikes and 1 PSI for MTB or gravel bikes, but always within the ranges of recommendations.

3. Wider Tire, Lower Pressure

Wider the tire, lower the required tire pressure. If you use a wider tire, you usually need a wider rim, the required tire pressure should be lower. Generally the tire pressure of fat bike is usually lower than that of mountain bicycle, and the tire pressure of mountain bicycle is lower than that of gravel or road bikes. A wider tire with lower pressure could improve comfort and grip.

4. Hookless Rims Require Lower Pressure

A hookless rim needs lower tire pressure than a hook rim. Tubeless systems often allow for lower tire pressures without the risk of pinch flats, enhancing grip and ride quality.

5. Rim Strength & Tire Quality

The strength of your rims and the quality of your tires directly affect the safe operating pressure range. Higher-quality components allow for greater flexibility in pressure adjustments, giving you more room to fine-tune for different terrains and riding styles. Always check your rim's maximum rated pressure and tire manufacturer guidelines to avoid exceeding safe limits.

6. Weather & Temperature

Weather and temperature also play a role in determining optimal tire pressure. For example, lower tire pressure should be used in wet conditions, as lower tire pressure provides better grip and ensures safe riding in wet conditions. In higher temperatures, we should also lower the tire pressure a little to avoid blowouts.

F.A.Q. about Tire Pressure

1. Why is the right tire pressure important?

Too high or too low tire pressure will not only affect the service life of the tires and rims and the riding experience, like poor driving stability in inclined position or poor damping, but also affect the safety of riding, such as tire blowouts or insufficient grip.

2. How to check your bicycle tire pressure?

To measure the tire pressure in your tire, you’ll need a tire pressure gauge, or a pump fitted with a pressure gauge. When connected to the valve on your bike’s tire, you’ll see what pressure the tire is currently inflated to.

3. How do I calculate the right tire pressure for my bike?

You could refer to the Bicycle Tire Pressure Chart above, or use tire pressure calculator:

4. What happens if I run too high or too low tire pressure?

Running too high pressure reduces traction and makes for a harsh ride, increasing the risk of losing control on rough surfaces. Too low pressure can cause pinch flats (with inner tubes), rim damage, and poor handling, especially when cornering. Always stay within the recommended range for your tire and rim combination.

* System Weight = Rider Weight + Cargo Weight + Bicycle Weight

* Tire Pressure Online Calculator www.sram.com/guides/tire/pressure.