Is There A Perfect Bike Tire Pressure For Speed & Comfort?

Рет қаралды 166,173

2 жыл бұрын

Manufacturers have been telling us that wider tires at lower pressures roll faster and ride smoother. But is there an optimum tire pressure you need to get the best of both worlds? Alex has been experimenting with the help of his phone’s accelerometer and a pressure gauge to find out…
____________________
🚴 With the 2022 road season promising to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, subscribe to GCN+ for live racing all year round, exclusive shows & cycling adventure films: gcn.eu/plus
Download the GCN App 📲 for FREE & be part of the world's largest cycling community: gcn.eu/app
Join thousands of other cycling fans in receiving our free weekly ✉️ newsletter roundup, including news, competitions and discounts: gcn.eu/3K7
Subscribe: gcntech.co/subscribetogcntech
The GCN Shop: gcn.eu/NewArrivals
#Cycling #GCN #GCNTech #RoadBike
What are your thoughts on tire pressure and what do you use in yours? Let us know down below
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍
Watch more on GCN Tech...
📹 What's The Most Desirable Bike In The WORLD? 👉 gcn.eu/6WF
Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Beachwalk - Ran the Man
Copycat - Far Orange
Dark Horse - Tigerblood Jewel
Jet Stream - Jones Meadow
Leaving Gravity - Aiyo
Make It in Time (DJ Mayson Remix) (Instrumental Version) - Gamma Skies
Shortcomings (SLCT Remix) (Instrumental Version) - Rospigg
True Form - Raccy
Two Time Champion - oomiee
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/
Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech is the only channel you need for all things bike tech - past, present and future.
Simply put, we’re obsessed with tech: we seek out and showcase the best in bikes, components, tech, accessories, upgrades and more from races and events, tech shows and product launches across the globe to bring you the best in road bike technology.
We’ve also got great maintenance videos to help you get the most from your bike; pro-bike tours from all the biggest races; special features and the weekly GCN Tech Show. We also take a deeper look into the future of cycling, apps, smart tech and virtual riding.
Join us on the channel and the GCN App to submit your content, vote on the latest tech and keep abreast of exciting new trends.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Castelli Clothing: gcn.eu/Castelli
Giro Helmets: gcn.eu/Giro
Pinarello Bikes: gcn.eu/Pinarello
Zipp Wheels: gcn.eu/Zipp
Enervit Nutrition: gcn.eu/Enervit
Topeak Tools: gcn.eu/Topeak
Canyon Bikes: gcn.eu/-Canyon
Pirelli Tyres: gcn.eu/Pirelli
Orbea Bikes: gcn.eu/Orbea
Vision Wheels: gcn.eu/Vision
Wahoo Fitness: gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: gcn.eu/-parktool
Elite Bottles: gcn.eu/EliteBottles
Whoop Fitness: gcn.eu/Whoop
Komoot: gcn.eu/komoot
Selle Italia: gcn.eu/SelleItalia
Zwift: gcn.eu/Zwift
Shimano Wheels: gcn.eu/Shimano
Shadow Stand: gcn.eu/ShadowStand
DMT Shoes: gcn.eu/DMT
Muc-Off: gcn.eu/MucOff
Facebook: gcntech.co/gcntechfb
Instagram: gcntech.co/gcntechinsta
Twitter: gcntech.co/gcntechtweet
KZfaq: gcntech.co/subscribe
GCN: gcn.eu/SubscribeToGCN
GCN Japan: gcn.eu/subscribe-gcn-japan
GCN Italia: gcn.eu/GCN-Italia
GCN en Español: gcn.eu/Suscribirse
GCN auf Deutsch: gcn.eu/auf-deutsch
GCN en Français: gcn.eu/GCNENFRANCAIS
GCN Training: gcn.eu/gcntraining
GCN Racing: gcn.eu/gcn-racing
GMBN: gmbn.eu/subscribe
GMBN Tech: gmbn.tech/subscribe
EMBN: embn.me/subscribe
Leave us a comment below!

Пікірлер: 365

@gcntech 2 жыл бұрын

What are your thoughts on tire pressure and what do you use in yours?

@rogersimmons8788 2 жыл бұрын

Rough and bumpy roads. I'm a road cyclist and never ride on anything other than roads. However, finding a decent, smooth, pothole free, good condition road surface is a novelty.

@MikeSmith-qu5ew 2 жыл бұрын

At age late 70s I road for years at 120 or higher on 24 with tires and it was dangerously a hard ride. I now ride at 100 and looking forward to ridding this coming year at 80.

@adamsheret149 2 жыл бұрын

Would have been interesting to see you refine it even more, say try 70psi then go 5 either way depending on what 70 showed. Also would have been handy to know what the wheels are, so what the rim dimensions are?

@firepyro2 2 жыл бұрын

Good video - just wondering if there is also a way to work out how pressure affects the risk of getting a puncture - this is an especially important consideration for those who use their bike to commute on bumpy roads!

@nicbuo8319 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. After riding at 125 psi on 23 & 25 for a dozen or more years. I did a similar exercise and the-new t/p is 25 psi lower on 25 mm tyre , improving handling and comfort immediately. Make the adjustments across on 32 & 40 with immediate results and will continue to hone in on the sweet spot for 28 , 32 & 42 mm tyres.

@eurobubble7068 2 жыл бұрын

the guys from that rolling resistance website test on a threaded steeldrum, quite different to tarmac, where lower pressure is needed.

@TheScoons1 2 жыл бұрын

I love an endurance ride 150-250km on a Sunday so reduced vibration is very important with respect to rider fatigue. I’m 90kg and ride with a 28mm up front at 80psi and a 32mm out back at 70psi on Hunt Supa Dura wheels which are designed for 28-32mm tyres.

@jefferycampbell2243 2 жыл бұрын

My understanding is that tire companies optimize side wall and tread design to operate best at 15% rim drop. For me, that's 47 psi front, 55 psi rear on 32mm tires. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this not only rode a lot smoother, but handling and stability in corners also improved vs higher pressures.

@philspencelayh5464 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting video, illustrates the difference between a "Road Bike" and what we used to call a "Hybrid" usually used on the road or cycle tracks.The bike I normally use has suspension forks and a suspension seat post, 44mm tyres running at their rated maximum of 4.5bar. If traction is compromised for mud or ice I reduce the pressure by 1-1.5 bar. The bike then feels "soggy". No more comfortable just less agile, and harder to pedal.

@whatwelearned 2 жыл бұрын

Apparently the tubeless Panaracers I've been trying to seat for the last few days think the perfect pressure is 0 bar (0 PSI) 😅

@JMHertford09 2 жыл бұрын

I always run a slightly lower pressure on the front to help with grip (especially in the winter). I find my ideal balance between speed & comfort is 95 rear (as I'm a bit lardy..) and 90 at the front. However, after seeing this vid I might try 85 at the rear and 80 at the front. Really useful vid Alex! :-)

@ebikescrapper3925 2 жыл бұрын

That rubber band phone solution should be in 'hack or bodge'.

@christophwiesmeyr9960 2 жыл бұрын

i like the idea to use your phone to objectively measure vibrations. about the experiment: it would be important to repeat runs with the same settings to see how consistent the results are. then it would be possible to say whether the differences are real or a statistical artifact. about too high pressure: I think that often feels fast because you feel more of the vibrations through the frame. testing wheel rolling resistance in the lab is done on a smooth surface. on a real road less pressure can be faster because the bike does less horizontal movement.

@AveryAbbott 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, GCN! Any chance we could see how the road surface and tire pressure affect bike speed when you're actually putting down effort? Might be a great opportunity for a test using an e-bike pushing a steady (x)w. Also, as someone else pointed out, an average time from 3-5 runs would help compensate for wind, slight changes in line, etc. Again, great work!

@kevinpower5880 2 жыл бұрын

I usually use 60psi on my winter tyres (32c alloy wheels) and a manufacturer recommended 80psi (28c Hunt carbon 44 wheels) . The summer tyres are definitely less comfortable but do feel quicker.

@leswatson40

Thanks for doing this test. Something I'm constantly changing is my tyre pressures. I'm not the fittest or youngest (51 years old) so always thought that riding with the highest psi (120 on my current tyres) would allow me to ride at my fastest and use less energy so long as I can put up with the harsher ride. I'm currently experiencing discomfort around the back of my neck and I'm guessing it's down to the harsh rides I've recently done. After watching this video I am now going to reduce my psi to 80, I totally get why you experience a faster ride with the slightly less up and down movement which is actually a lot of wasted energy.

@mahinhinrider 2 жыл бұрын

Would be glad to see if you have a video regarding this tire pressure topic during a climb. Would love to know which psi is faster. :)

@cinelliestrada3228 2 жыл бұрын

Very useful video. Thanks mate.

@FRamirez1A 2 жыл бұрын

When I went from 25mm to 28mm tires, I started with a bit higher than the recommended PSI for my set up and weight, then I did the same exact ride few times a week reducing few PSI per ride (about 3 at the time) until I found the sweet spot. I went from 97/95 on my 25mm to 67/65 on my 28mm (different wheels of course). It took me few weeks, but it was definitely worth it the time and I wouldn't go back!!!