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Step-by-Step Guide (14 Steps)

The more precise your inputs, the more reliable the result for your bike setup. Take the time to fill in each field carefully — exact weight, tire sizes, actual terrain conditions, and so on.

Step 1 — Choose your bike type

  • Select the category that best matches your bike: road, gravel, XC, trail, enduro, downhill.
  • The bike type influences the recommended pressure range based on expected riding behaviour (grip, comfort, resistance).

Step 2 — Choose your weight unit

  • Specify whether you're entering weight in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs).
  • Using the unit you're most comfortable with avoids conversion errors and keeps the calculation accurate.

Step 3 — Specify whether it's an e-bike

  • Electric bikes (e-bikes) are generally heavier and put different demands on tires.
  • If you're riding an e-bike, select "Yes" so the calculation accounts for the extra weight (battery, motor) and assisted riding dynamics.

Step 4 — Enter rider weight (with kit and gear)

  • Enter your actual weight, including clothing, shoes, and everything you normally carry on a ride.
  • Don't forget accessories (backpack, panniers, etc.) if you regularly ride loaded.

Step 5 — Enter bike weight (with accessories)

  • Enter the bike weight on its own, then add any accessories you use: bottle cages, bags, lights, etc.
  • The more accurate this figure, the more precise the calculated pressure will be.

Step 6 — Choose wheel diameter

  • Select the wheel diameter you have: 700C / 29" / 27.5" / 26" depending on your bike.
  • This matters because it affects the contact patch and rolling dynamics.

Step 7 — Enter internal rim width (optional but useful)

  • If you know your internal rim width (in millimetres), enter it here.
  • This refines the pressure recommendation, especially for tubeless tires or wider tires.

Step 8 — Enter front tire width

  • Enter the actual front tire width as printed on the sidewall (e.g. 28 mm, 2.25", etc.).
  • For more accuracy, measure the tire width with calipers if you can — the actual inflated width sometimes differs from the marked size.

Step 9 — Choose front tire casing type

  • Select the sidewall protection or casing level (no reinforcement, single reinforcement, double reinforcement).
  • A reinforced casing tolerates slightly lower pressures without risk of pinch flats — this affects the calculation.

Step 10 — Enter rear tire width

  • Same approach as the front: enter the rear tire width.
  • It's common to run different widths front and rear — rear pressure is often slightly higher to compensate for the greater load on the back wheel.

Step 11 — Choose rear tire casing type

  • As with the front, select the rear tire casing type: this affects puncture resistance, deformation behaviour, and so on.

Step 12 — Choose setup type

  • Specify your setup: inner tube, tubeless, or tubeless + insert (foam insert).
  • Tubeless and inserts allow you to run lower pressures by eliminating the pinch flat risk.

Step 13 — Select terrain condition

  • Choose the terrain state for today's ride: dry, wet, or mixed.
  • Terrain condition affects grip, safety, and therefore optimal pressure.

Step 14 — Choose surface type

  • Specify the main surface you'll be riding on: smooth road, rough road, forest track, gravel, rocky terrain, cobbles, etc.
  • The more irregular or aggressive the surface, the more a lower pressure can improve comfort and reduce puncture risk.

Step 15 — Run the calculation

  • Once all fields are filled in, click "Calculate pressure".
  • You'll get a recommended pressure for front and rear (in Bar and/or PSI).

Expert Tips and Practical Advice to Optimise Your PSI

Tip #1 — Interpreting the result

  • The result gives you a base ideal pressure.
  • Think of it as a recommendation, not a rule — but one built on your actual data.
  • Our calculations are based on technical data and real-world feedback to give you the best starting point. Don't hesitate to adjust slightly based on personal feel and actual conditions on the day.

Tip #2 — Test it in real riding conditions

  • Try the recommended pressure on a ride.
  • Pay attention to how it feels: comfort, stability, grip, rolling noise.
  • If the tire feels too hard (vibrations, poor shock absorption), go slightly lower. If you get pinch flats or the sidewalls look squashed on obstacles, go higher.

Tip #3 — Check and adjust regularly

  • Check pressure before every ride if you ride frequently.
  • Otherwise, at least once a week or every 10 days.
  • Tires lose pressure over time, and weather changes and altitude can also have an effect.

Tip #4 — Respect the tire's pressure limits

  • Never exceed the maximum pressure marked on the tire sidewall.
  • Don't go below the recommended minimum pressure either — this risks pinch flats or deformation that could damage the rim or tire.

Tip #5 — Get out and ride

A bike ride is a concentrated dose of physical and mental wellbeing — great cardiovascular exercise with low joint impact. It tones the body, reduces stress, and lifts your mood by boosting circulation and exposure to natural light. Notably, a major study published in the British Medical Journal in 2017 found that commuting by bike was associated with a 45% reduction in cancer risk and a 46% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk.


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