Tire Pressure

Pumping up your tires is an important part of a training ride or race. The appropriate pressure will limit flats and give you a comfortable ride. Don’t dwell on higher PSI, it’s not always better. The only case an extremely hard tire would be beneficial is on a completely smooth Velodrome. For your day to day riding, and pretty much every triathlon or Ironman out there, you’ll be hitting some rougher stuff. If your tire is too hard it won’t absorb the little bumps inherent in most paved roads. Small bumps send micro vibrations up your bike frame, wasting forward momentum into the vertical vibrations. It’s a small amount of forward moving energy that is wasted, but over 180 kilometers you can bet it will add up. Time aside, your body will thank you with the slightly decreased pressure and reduced vibrations. You can, however, go too low. Not enough air pressure in your tires leaves you open to flat tires and a higher rolling resistance.
So, no matter what type of tire you’re running, if you’re on a normal road (one that has not been paved in the United Arab Emirates within the last 5 years), max out the pressure at 130 PSI and don’t go lower than 110 PSI.  That’s the perfect range for speed and comfort – keeping in mind that going to 160 PSI does not equal less rolling resistance nor a faster bike.  Have you ever heard that guy’s tire blow up in transition? PSI was probably through the roof.

Another thing to keep in mind is how hot it is, and how much breaking you’ll be doing.  Both direct sun and plenty of breaking can heat up the rim/tire increasing your overall PSI.  Bottom line, don’t stress about your tire pressure, this is the last thing you need to worry about on race day.  Stick it in that range (110-130) and you’ll be good.