Bike type
Road bike
The road bike is built for speed and efficiency: a light frame, narrow tyres and a drop bar. Modern road bikes run wider tyres at lower pressure than they used to – which is faster and more comfortable on real roads.
Typical spec
- 700C wheels, tyres usually 25–32 mm
- Carbon rigid fork, disc or rim brakes
- Internal rim width usually 19–25 mm, tubeless or with inner tubes
- 2× drivetrain, weight usually 7–9 kg
Tyre pressure chart
Starting values in bar (front / rear), tubeless, bike weight 8.5 kg.
| Rider | 25 mm | 28 mm | 30 mm | 32 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 4.9 / 5.571 / 79 psi | 3.9 / 4.356 / 63 psi | 3.4 / 3.849 / 55 psi | 3.0 / 3.344 / 48 psi |
| 70 kg | 5.5 / 6.280 / 89 psi | 4.4 / 4.964 / 71 psi | 3.8 / 4.355 / 62 psi | 3.4 / 3.849 / 55 psi |
| 80 kg | 6.1 / 6.989 / 100 psi | 4.9 / 5.571 / 79 psi | 4.3 / 4.862 / 69 psi | 3.7 / 4.254 / 61 psi |
| 90 kg | 6.8 / 7.698 / 110 psi | 5.4 / 6.078 / 87 psi | 4.7 / 5.368 / 76 psi | 4.1 / 4.660 / 67 psi |
| 100 kg | 7.4 / 8.3107 / 120 psi | 5.9 / 6.685 / 95 psi | 5.1 / 5.774 / 83 psi | 4.5 / 5.065 / 73 psi |
| 110 kg | 8.0 / 8.3116 / 120 psi | 6.4 / 7.192 / 103 psi | 5.5 / 6.280 / 90 psi | 4.9 / 5.571 / 79 psi |
Setup tips
- More pressure is not automatically faster: on rough tarmac, slightly lower pressures often roll better.
- About 10 % less pressure at the front than at the rear – the rear wheel carries more weight.
- Wider rims make the tyre wider and allow slightly lower pressure.
- On hookless rims the 5 bar (73 psi) limit applies; use approved tubeless tyres only.
Frequently asked questions
What tyre pressure for a road bike?
With 28 mm tubeless tyres and a 75 kg rider, typical starting values are about 4.6 bar (67 psi) front and 5.2 bar (75 psi) rear. A little more with 25 mm tyres or inner tubes.
Are wider tyres slower on a road bike?
On normal roads, usually not: wider tyres at suitably lower pressure lose less energy on rough surfaces and offer more comfort and grip.
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.Gravel bikeA gravel bike combines the geometry and drop bar of a road bike with wide tyres for gravel, farm tracks and long rides.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.