Everything You Think You Know About Bicycle Tire Pressure Is Probably Wrong

When it comes to cycling, some “truths” feel almost sacred—none more so than the idea that higher tire pressure makes you faster. Riders everywhere have spent years obsessing over PSI numbers, pumping their tires rock-hard before every ride, all in pursuit of speed. But what if everything you think you know about tire pressure is not just outdated—but completely wrong?

Jan Heine, a long-time researcher and publisher of Bicycle Quarterly, has spent over a decade investigating this very idea. And what he’s uncovered could transform how you ride forever.

The Real Science: Pressure Doesn’t Equal Speed

The traditional belief was simple: the harder the tire, the faster it rolls. Less deformation meant lower rolling resistance, right? Not quite.

Heine’s in-depth testing revealed something surprising: tire pressure plays a much smaller role in performance than we’ve been led to believe. In fact, when you go beyond a certain point, higher pressure doesn’t make you any faster—and can sometimes slow you down.

How? Because while high pressure reduces tire squish, it increases road vibration. That constant chatter from the pavement saps your energy, making you slower over time. On rough surfaces, high-pressure tires bounce and skip instead of smoothly rolling. The net result? The gains and losses cancel out. Speed stays the same—or gets worse.

The Wider, The Better

Once you throw out the idea that higher pressure equals better performance, everything changes—especially how we look at tire width.

For years, skinny tires were the gold standard. But Heine’s findings show that wider tires, when made with supple casings, actually offer equal or better speed, especially on real-world roads.

With wider tires, you get:

• More comfort: Lower pressures absorb bumps and road chatter.
• Better grip and control: A larger contact patch means more traction, especially in corners and on rough roads.
• No speed penalty: Even 28 mm and 32 mm tires roll just as fast as 23 mm ones, and often faster on imperfect surfaces.

This is why professional cyclists, who once swore by 21 mm or 23 mm tires, have largely switched to 25 mm or wider. The science supports it, and the ride feels better. It’s a rare win-win.

Suppleness Is the Secret

If pressure doesn’t make the difference, what does? It all comes down to the construction of the tire casing.

A supple tire—one that flexes easily and conforms to the road—minimizes energy loss from both deformation and vibration. These tires roll smoothly, almost gliding over the pavement, giving you a faster, more comfortable ride.

On the other hand, a stiff tire, even pumped to perfection, will feel harsh and sluggish. The casing fights the road instead of flowing with it. That means your legs work harder with every mile.

The takeaway? If you're investing in performance, spend more on supple tires, not higher-end pumps or digital pressure gauges.

The Only Tire Pressure Rule You Need

So, what PSI should you use?

Forget the charts. Forget matching pressure to your weight. Heine’s advice is refreshingly simple: Use just enough pressure so your tires don’t collapse during hard cornering. That’s it.

No more chasing “the magic number.” Just focus on a ride that feels stable, smooth, and confident. If your tires aren’t squishing excessively on turns, you’re already in the right range.

Don’t Fear the Fat Tires

A common concern among riders is that wider tires are too heavy or too sluggish. But that’s just another myth. Today’s wider tires can be just as light as narrower ones, especially in smaller wheel sizes like 650B. And because of their improved comfort and control, they’re often faster in real-world conditions.

In fact, the difference in weight is often negligible—but the increase in ride quality is dramatic.

Real-World Tips to Ride Smarter

1. Ditch the obsession with high PSI. Start with a lower pressure and increase only if you feel the tires bottoming out on corners.
2. Upgrade your tires, not your pump. Suppleness is the performance secret—look for tires with high-quality casings.
3. Go wide when possible. If your frame can accommodate wider tires, make the switch. You’ll ride more comfortably without losing speed.
4. Listen to your ride. If the road feels smooth, stable, and quiet, your setup is probably spot on.
5. Focus on the experience. A smoother ride doesn’t just feel better—it helps you go farther and faster with less fatigue.

The Bottom Line

The tire pressure revolution isn’t just about numbers—it’s about redefining performance on the bike. Faster isn’t always harder. More pressure doesn’t equal more speed. In fact, the best upgrade you can make is in how you think about tires.

So next time you reach for your pump, remember: a smoother ride, with wider, supple tires at the right pressure, might just be the fastest choice you’ve ever made.

Let go of old habits. Embrace the revolution. And enjoy the ride like never before.