Wait, wait, you’re telling me you still ride your mountain bike without knowing everything about tire pressure? If so, your secret is safe with me. But why don’t you go ahead and learn about psi? If you think it’s not that important, you probably don’t know what you are missing out on.
Therefore, stay with me as you will get a detailed guide on what psi your mountain bike tire should be. You might have this idea that psi is the same for every rider. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Hence, read to know the best pressure for your mountain bike tires.
Why Do You Need Correct Pressure in Mountain Bike Tires?
Before I answer your question, let me tell you briefly about pressure. You are well aware that tires need pressure and this pressure is measured in psi. Psi means pounds per square inch.
Now, getting the correct tire pressure is essential. Here’s why:
- You can end up with a flat tire if the pressure is high. The ride is uncomfortable when you have low pressure.
- Keeping a check on the tire pressure would more likely increase the life of your tires.
- Pressure directly affects the bike’s performance. If the pressure is set too high, controlling the bike will become difficult. It will start bouncing off the ground.
- In case of too low pressure, you will end up with a sluggish bike that gets stuck in sand or mud.
- In addition, maintaining your tire pressure is crucial for your safety too.
- When you know the pressure, you’ll be able to handle your bike well. Besides, the ride will become comfortable, and you can avoid punctures, too.
Factors Affecting the PSI of Mountain Bike Tires
Are there any factors that influence optimal psi? Yes, there are. Let’s talk about them.
1. Rider Weight
For a heavier rider, more pressure is needed, and vice versa. There is a reason for it. A heavier person would put relatively more force on the tires.
Therefore, to balance this force, high pressure comes into play. This high pressure would ensure better stability and prevent any damage to the tire. Now, for a lightweight rider, pressure can be kept low. Low pressure helps in enhanced comfort and grip.
2. Terrain Type
High pressure suits technical, rocky, and rough terrains as the tire deforms less. Also, the chance of a puncture lessens. But, low pressure is needed in case of smooth and muddy tracks. This low pressure helps in deforming the tire along with increasing the grip.
3. Riding Style
Less pressure would work in your favor if you are an aggressive rider. Due to this low pressure, you’ll have better control and stability. However, a casual rider uses higher pressure. This high pressure makes pedaling easy, and speed and control are well balanced.
4. Tire Type
There are two types of tires:
- Tubed
- Tubeless
Both require separate pressure. Mountain bike tire pressure for tubeless ones is low. This is for better traction and comfort. Tubed tires require comparatively high pressure to prevent the risk of pinch flats.
You should also read: How to Measure Bike Wheel Size in Inches?
You should also read: What is a Clincher Bike Tire?
What PSI Should Mountain Bike Tires be?
Finally, it’s time to answer your question. For a mountain bike, the pressure range is from 22-35 psi. In bars, the mountain bike tire pressure ranges from 1.5 to 2.4. Also, the rear wheel has to have a little high pressure.
With that said, let me give you a mountain bike tire pressure chart that you could use as a starting point.
| Weight of the Rider (kg/lb) | Tire Pressure in psi (Front/Rear) | |||||||
| Trail | XC | Downhill | Enduro | |||||
| Tube | Tubeless | Tube | Tubeless | Tube | Tubeless | Tube | Tubeless | |
| 45/100 | 22/24 | 18 / 21 | 23 / 26 | 21 / 23 | 22 / 24 | 13 / 16 | 22 / 24 | 16 / 19 |
| 54/120 | 22/24 | 18 / 21 | 23 / 26 | 21 / 23 | 22 / 24 | 13 / 16 | 22 / 24 | 16 / 19 |
| 64/140 | 23/25 | 19 / 22 | 25 / 28 | 22 / 25 | 23 / 25 | 15 / 17 | 23 / 25 | 17 / 20 |
| 73/160 | 23/26 | 20 / 23 | 26 / 29 | 23 / 26 | 23 / 25 | 15 / 17 | 23 / 25 | 17 / 20 |
| 82/180 | 25 / 28 | 22 / 25 | 28 / 30 | 25 / 28 | 23 / 25 | 17 / 20 | 23 / 25 | 19 / 23 |
| 91/200 | 28 / 30 | 25 / 28 | 30 / 33 | 28 / 30 | 23 / 25 | 19 / 23 | 25 / 28 | 23 / 25 |
| 100/220 | 29 / 32 | 26 / 29 | 33 / 36 | 30 / 33 | 25 / 28 | 23 / 25 | 28 / 30 | 25 / 28 |
How to Adjust PSI of Your Mountain Bike Tires?
Tools Needed
- A pump (either floor pump or hand pump)
- Tire pressure gauge
Now, this is pretty easy. You’ve got the tools. All you need to do is:
- Take the tire pressure gauge and check the pressure of both your tires.
- By now, you know what pressure you need keeping in mind the factors I have previously discussed.
- You can add and release the air with the help of the floor pump according to your needs.
- In case you have a hand pump, you can do the same. But, it will take a little longer.
Expert Tips About Testing the Pressure in Bike Tires
If the PSI is not right for your riding conditions, you are unable to enjoy your ride. For example, if your pressure is higher, you will have poor traction. You can bounce off the trail and slide on dirt.
If the tire is giving a bendy feel, know that the pressure is low. You would also feel as if you are carrying extra weight.
Common Mistakes About Tires PSI and How to Avoid Them
1. Overinflation
Overinflation can be extremely dangerous. For an overinflated tire, there is a risk of the tube blowing during pumping. It can also be due to a sudden impact while you are riding. Besides, overinflation makes the ride uncomfortable.
2. Underinflation
An underinflated tire means low pressure. Low pressure leads to pinch flats. This can cause harm to the tire along with damage to the rim. Moreover, a flat tire would require you to pedal hard, and this, in turn, slows you down.
3. Regular Maintenance
Even when you think that you have perfectly set your tire pressure, it will still leak air. Sometimes this leakage is a few drops. But, if your usage and the environment are harsh, this leakage can become worse.
Therefore, you must check your tires regularly to avoid punctures. Also, if you ride once in a while, it is preferable to check your tire pressure before every ride.
Conclusion:
Knowing fully about how tire pressure works, you can now make your rides fun and comfortable. Furthermore, you can get help from an MTB tire pressure calculator to get the exact pressure. There are many available online.
Still, have questions to ask? Great. Read on to find more answers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bike Tires Pressure
How weather changes can affect tire pressure?
You always need to check the pressure of your tires before you start riding at the track. This is because the temperature is different everywhere. Similarly, the same terrain that is wet would require a different pressure than when it is dry.
What is the ideal PSI for mountain bike tires?
Mountain bike manufacturers recommend 30 psi for off-road riding. Whereas the tire pressure for mountain bikes on the road is 50 psi. However, the ideal PSI depends on several factors, such as weight, riding style, tire type, etc.
How often should I check my tire pressure?
You should check it regularly, as this would help you dodge pinch flats and many other issues. If you can’t do that, checking it once every month would also be sufficient.
Can I use the same PSI for all types of terrain?
The one-word answer to this is no. Every terrain calls for a different pressure. So, before you pump your tires, ask yourself the kind of terrain you’ll be getting on. Set the required pressure for that specific terrain.