The recommended PSI for bike tires depends on the type of bike and tire width, as well as the riders weight. Every tire has a recommended PSI printed on its side close to where it touches the rim, usually written as a range. Here are some general ranges based on bike type:
- Kids bike tires: 20-40 PSI
- Narrow tires/road bikes: 80-130 PSI
- Medium tires/hybrid bikes: 50-70 PSI
- Thick tires/mountain bikes: 25-40 PSI (off-road), 50 PSI (on-road)
For road bikes, tires should be inflated between 90 and 120 PSI, while mountain bike tires are typically inflated between 25 and 40 PSI. However, these are just general recommendations, and the optimal PSI for a rider depends on their weight and the type of terrain they will be riding on. Roughly, for every 5 kilograms of weight, add or subtract 2 PSI on road bikes and 1 on MTB, hybrid, and gravel bikes. Its important to stay within the minimum and maximum ranges recommended by the tire manufacturer for safety reasons. If a tire doesnt indicate a recommended pressure, a basic rule of thumb is to pump it up until its firm but still slightly squeezable.
