What do you ride?
Pick your type of bike: each page explains the typical spec, gives tyre pressure charts and – for bikes with suspension – starting values for fork and shock.
Hardtail MTBA hardtail has a suspension fork but no rear shock.Full-suspension MTBA full-suspension bike has suspension at both ends.Hardtail e-MTBA hardtail e-MTB combines motor assistance with a suspension fork and a rigid rear end.Full-suspension e-MTBThe full-suspension e-MTB is the all-rounder for long tours and steep trails: motor, suspension fork and rear shock.Gravel bikeA gravel bike combines the geometry and drop bar of a road bike with wide tyres for gravel, farm tracks and long rides.Road bikeThe road bike is built for speed and efficiency: a light frame, narrow tyres and a drop bar.Touring bikeThe touring bike – also called a trekking bike – is built for long distances on tarmac and cycle paths with luggage.City bikeThe city bike is the everyday bike for town, commuting and shopping: an upright position, often a step-through frame, mudguards, a rack and lights.
How to find the right bike type
Setup differences come mainly from travel, bike weight and terrain. A hardtail has only a fork and needs no shock pressure, while a full-suspension bike also needs SAG at the rear. E-bikes are around 10 kg heavier and get a little more tyre pressure and a slightly firmer suspension setup.
On gravel, road, touring and city bikes, tyre width, rim width and luggage decide the pressure. The charts on the type pages come from the same model as our tyre pressure calculator. If you want exact figures, use the calculator with your own weight. You will find the basics in the guides.