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. 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 pinch flats and a higher rolling resistance.
So, no matter what type of tire you’re running, max out the pressure at 125 PSI and don’t go lower than 100 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.
