Anyone that knows me knows that my biggest advice for race day is “wits, not watts.” The smarter we can race, the faster we will be.
And don’t underestimate the small details. Little things can add up to big things if there are enough of them. One such detail to mind is tire pressure.
On the road, an incorrect PSI (pound-force per square inch) means lost watts. On the dirt, it means lost watts and compromised control and bike handling.
Go to a gravel race and ask “What PSI are you running?” and it’s like you are asking about a national secret. It matters.
Why is Tire Pressure so Important?
Without going into too much detail, tire pressure affects three key factors, ground contact area, rolling resistance and shock absorption.
Ground contact area: The surface area of the tire that actually touches the ground. While riding, your tires flatten slightly from the weight of the rider. The higher the pressure, the smaller this area is and vice versa.
Rolling resistance: This is the force of friction that results from the tires’ contact with the ground. This can vary greatly depending on tire size, width and construction but in general, the smaller the ground contact area, the lower the rolling resistance. This results in more speed. (Note that in off road riding, the opposite rules apply, more ground contact area greats more traction)
Shock Absorption: Last but certainly not least is shock absorption. A smooth ride is a fast ride and with the right pressure, your tires can take away a large amount of energy generated by imperfections in the roads. For example, stage 5 of the 2022 Tour de France had 11 sectors of cobblestone roads, riders rode on tire pressure as low as 60 psi. Then, the time trial in stage 21 was on flat roads and showcased much higher pressures.
What do I need to set the right pressure?
The beauty of it is you don’t need a lot to make sure you nail the pressure. You likely have most of the right tools already.