Gravel Bike Tire Pressure: Finding the Right Balance

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, understanding the factors that influence gravel bike tire pressure can help you determine the best pressure and riding style for your bike and the terrain you intend to ride.

 The pressure you set your gravel bike tires to  has a big impact on how your bike feels, how it handles, how it copes with obstacles, and how much effort it requires to pedal. It might seem easy to overlook, but it’s impactful. Luckily, it’s also very easy to set up, tweak and adjust using just basic tools – although, like everything in cycling, there’s always a more expensive, fancier tool when you’re ready to upgrade.

Tire pressure is important in gravel cycling in particular, because you’re tackling bumpy, unpredictable surfaces with variable grip. You’re not quite equipped to roll over anything like you would be on a full-suspension mountain bike, but there’s also a little bit more focus on speed in gravel – especially if you’re racing – and so there is a fine balance to be struck. Check out our article for expert guidance on adjusting your MTB tire pressure for optimal performance.

Before we dive into specific tire pressures, it's important to understand the factors that influence tire pressure for gravel bikes. These factors include:

The weight of the rider affects how much pressure is needed to support the bike and to maintain proper handling. A heavier rider needs to run their pressures higher than their featherweight riding buddy. In fact, when we think about weight and its relation to gravel bike tire pressure, we must go beyond just that of the rider. Adding bikepacking bags or a loaded pannier rack to your gravel bike will increase the overall load, and you will need to increase the pressure in your tires to account for this. If you keep riding at the same tire pressure but add 20kg of weight to your bike, you may quickly find that the handling is compromised – or even that you are dinging your rim when you hit rocks and tree roots on the trail.

26”, 650b, 650c, 700c are all wheel sizes you may encounter. Generally speaking, the smaller wheel sizes run a slightly higher pressure. Narrower tires also run at higher pressure than wider ones. This is because wider gravel bike tires have a greater air volume, which allows them to support the same load at a lower pressure. The width of the tire also impacts how much surface area is in contact with the ground, which can impact grip and rolling resistance. Narrow rims generally need a bit more pressure, to prevent burping or the tire moving around in the rim bed.

Learn more about bike tire sizes in our helpful guide.

Inner tubes can result in pinch-flats when the rim of the wheel impacts with a hard surface. The solution to this is to run the tires at very high pressure, to try to prevent the rim coming into contact with the inner tube material. This works OK on road bike tires, but with the much rougher terrain encountered on a gravel bike it can be counter-productive, leading to a jagged and jarring ride feel, and poor control. Tubeless setups all but eliminate the risk of pinch flats and this is why tubeless is much more common on gravel bikes. Tubeless can be run at lower pressures better suited to gravel.

We’ve written a guide for gravel tires which explains some of the key differences between some of the popular tire brands. 

The type of terrain you're riding on can also impact the ideal tire pressure. For example, softer surfaces like mud or sand may require lower pressure for better traction, while harder surfaces like hard-packed gravel; may require a high pressure for efficiency. Your preferred riding style, whether it's more aggressive or more leisurely, can also impact the ideal tire pressure. If you are focused on going fast to the exclusion of comfort, you’ll likely opt for a higher tire pressure. Conversely, if you want to ride far, or get around with comfort as top priority, then slightly more forgiving, lower gravel bike tire pressures will suit you best.

To find the ideal tire pressure for your gravel bike, consider the factors listed above, and then experiment with different pressures until you find the right balance for your needs.

Here are some general guidelines to get you started:

• Start with the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure, which is usually listed on the sidewall of the tire. This will give you a range. 
• Adjust the pressure based on your weight. Most online charts range from around 90 lbs to 250lbs. If you’re at the bottom end of the scale, start near the bottom of your tire pressure range, and if you’re closer to the top, start nearer the top of the pressure range.
• Consider the terrain you'll be riding on. For loose or slippery surfaces like mud or gravel, you may want to lower the pressure by 5-10psi for better traction. For harder surfaces like tarmac, you may want to increase the pressure by 5-10psi for better rolling efficiency.
• Fine-tune the pressure based on your riding style. If you prefer a more aggressive riding style, you may want to run slightly higher pressure to get that extra speed. If you prefer a more leisurely riding style, you may want to run slightly lower pressure for better comfort – at the cost of a little bit of extra resistance.
• Bear in mind that you will probably want to run slightly lower pressure on the front than the rear. This is to give optimal traction on the front wheel with slightly better rolling resistance at the rear.

If you want a more precise way to calculate the ideal tire pressure for your gravel bike, there are some gravel bike tire pressure calculators available online. These calculators take into account your weight, wheel size, rim & tire width, and riding style to provide a recommended pressure range. To use the calculator, simply enter your weight, tire size, surface, speed and riding style, and the calculator will provide recommended pressures for both the front and rear tires. 

Checking your tire pressure is an essential part of maintaining your gravel bike's performance and safety. Here's how to check your tire pressure:

• Get a tire pressure gauge. There are many types of gauges available, including digital, analog and dial gauges. Some pumps even have a built-in gauge. It also helps to check when the tire is cool – pressure changes as you ride and the tire heats up.
• Use the methods listed above to find your ideal pressure. Remember, the pressure will vary from ride to ride depending on the conditions and the surface, and on how fast you plan to ride.
• Use the gauge to measure the pressure: Remove the cap from the valve stem and press the gauge onto the valve stem. You should hear a hissing sound as air escapes from the tire and enters the gauge. Once the gauge has stopped moving, take a reading.
• Adjust the pressure as needed: If the pressure is too high or too low, use a pump with a pressure gauge to add or remove air until the pressure matches your target pressure.
• Check tire pressure regularly: Tire pressure can decrease over time, even if there are no visible punctures or leaks. Make it a habit to check both tires’ pressure before every ride, or at least once a week.

By following these tips and checking your tire pressure regularly, you can ensure that your gravel bike is performing at its best for all conditions.

Finding the right gravel bike tire pressure can make a noticeable difference in your ride. By taking into account factors like your weight, tire width, terrain and riding style, you can dial in a pressure that works best for your needs. Whether you prefer to adjust based on feel or use an online calculator for more precision, experimenting within the recommended range will help you find the sweet spot. Keeping an eye on tire pressure will help ensure your bike performs well no matter the conditions.