Bike type
Touring bike
The touring bike – also called a trekking bike – is built for long distances on tarmac and cycle paths with luggage. Mudguards, a rack and lights are standard, often a short-travel suspension fork too. For tyre pressure, total weight including bags is what counts.
Typical spec
- 28″ (700C) wheels, tyres 40–55 mm
- Suspension fork with around 60–75 mm of travel, or a rigid fork
- Rack, mudguards, hub dynamo and lights
- Usually inner tubes and puncture-resistant tyres
Tyre pressure chart
Starting values in bar (front / rear), with inner tubes, bike weight 22 kg including luggage.
| Rider | 40 mm | 47 mm | 50 mm | 55 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 3.6 / 4.152 / 59 psi | 2.7 / 3.139 / 44 psi | 2.4 / 2.735 / 40 psi | 2.0 / 2.329 / 34 psi |
| 70 kg | 3.9 / 4.557 / 66 psi | 3.0 / 3.443 / 49 psi | 2.6 / 3.038 / 44 psi | 2.2 / 2.632 / 37 psi |
| 80 kg | 4.3 / 5.063 / 72 psi | 3.2 / 3.747 / 54 psi | 2.9 / 3.342 / 48 psi | 2.4 / 2.835 / 41 psi |
| 90 kg | 4.7 / 5.468 / 79 psi | 3.5 / 4.151 / 59 psi | 3.2 / 3.646 / 53 psi | 2.7 / 3.139 / 44 psi |
| 100 kg | 5.1 / 5.574 / 80 psi | 3.8 / 4.455 / 64 psi | 3.4 / 3.949 / 57 psi | 2.9 / 3.342 / 48 psi |
| 110 kg | 5.5 / 5.579 / 80 psi | 4.1 / 4.759 / 68 psi | 3.7 / 4.253 / 61 psi | 3.1 / 3.545 / 51 psi |
Setup tips
- Include luggage when working out tyre pressure – simply add it to the bike weight in the calculator.
- More pressure at the rear than at the front: rider and luggage load the rear wheel most.
- Always respect the minimum and maximum pressure printed on the tyre sidewall.
- Suspension forks on trekking bikes: set preload so the fork only sags slightly when you get on.
Frequently asked questions
What tyre pressure for a trekking bike?
With 47 mm tyres and inner tubes, an 80 kg rider and 22 kg for bike and luggage, typical starting values are about 3.2 bar (46 psi) front and 3.7 bar (54 psi) rear.
Do I need more pressure with luggage?
Yes. More load needs more pressure, especially at the rear, so the tyre does not compress too much and pinch flats are avoided.
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.Road bikeThe road bike is built for speed and efficiency: a light frame, narrow tyres and a drop bar.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.