Bike type
Gravel bike
A gravel bike combines the geometry and drop bar of a road bike with wide tyres for gravel, farm tracks and long rides. It usually has no suspension – comfort and grip come almost entirely from tyre pressure.
Typical spec
- 700C wheels, sometimes 650B with wider tyres
- Tyres 35–50 mm, mostly tubeless
- Rigid fork, disc brakes, often a 1× drivetrain
- Internal rim width usually 21–25 mm, increasingly hookless
Tyre pressure chart
Starting values in bar (front / rear), tubeless, bike weight 10 kg.
| Rider | 35 mm | 40 mm | 45 mm | 50 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 2.3 / 2.533 / 37 psi | 1.8 / 2.026 / 29 psi | 1.5 / 1.621 / 23 psi | 1.3 / 1.319 / 19 psi |
| 70 kg | 2.6 / 2.938 / 42 psi | 2.0 / 2.230 / 33 psi | 1.6 / 1.824 / 26 psi | 1.4 / 1.520 / 22 psi |
| 80 kg | 2.9 / 3.242 / 46 psi | 2.3 / 2.533 / 36 psi | 1.8 / 2.027 / 29 psi | 1.5 / 1.722 / 24 psi |
| 90 kg | 3.2 / 3.546 / 51 psi | 2.5 / 2.836 / 40 psi | 2.0 / 2.229 / 32 psi | 1.7 / 1.824 / 27 psi |
| 100 kg | 3.5 / 3.850 / 55 psi | 2.7 / 3.039 / 43 psi | 2.2 / 2.432 / 35 psi | 1.8 / 2.026 / 29 psi |
| 110 kg | 3.7 / 4.154 / 60 psi | 2.9 / 3.243 / 47 psi | 2.4 / 2.634 / 38 psi | 2.0 / 2.229 / 31 psi |
Setup tips
- Tyre pressure is a gravel bike’s suspension: even 0.2 bar (2.9 psi) makes a clear difference to comfort and grip.
- Run a little less on loose ground and a little more on mostly tarmac rides.
- Never exceed 5 bar (72.5 psi) on hookless rims – choose a wider tyre instead.
- Tubeless allows lower pressures without pinch flats.
Frequently asked questions
What tyre pressure for a gravel bike?
With 40 mm tubeless tyres, a 70 kg rider and a 10 kg bike, typical starting values are about 2.0 bar (29 psi) front and 2.2 bar (32 psi) rear. Heavier riders and narrower tyres need more.
Tubeless or inner tubes on a gravel bike?
Tubeless allows lower pressures and protects against pinch flats. With inner tubes, our calculator adds about 10 % pressure.
Other bike types
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.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.