Tyre pressure is the cheapest, fastest tune on the bike, and the most overlooked. A swing of 0.2 bar changes grip, rolling speed and how much the casing protects your rims. The maximum printed on the sidewall is a safety ceiling, not a recommendation, and for trail riding it is almost always far too high.
Why the sidewall number is wrong for you
Sidewall figures are conservative ceilings set for the lightest tube-type use. Modern tubeless tyres at trail widths run far lower. The right pressure depends on variables the sidewall cannot know:
- Rider weight in full kit, the biggest single factor.
- Tyre volume: a 2.6in tyre runs lower than a 2.3in for the same support.
- Casing: a tough enduro casing supports itself and can run softer; a thin XC casing needs more air.
- Terrain: rocky and rooty wants more protection; loam and hardpack wants more grip.
Run the rear 0.15–0.25 bar higher than the front. The rear carries more weight and takes the harder square-edge hits, while the front is where you want maximum cornering grip.
A starting point by rider weight
Tubeless, ~2.4in trail tyres, no insert. Treat these as a baseline, then adjust by feel.
| Rider (kitted) | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| Under 65 kg | 1.30 bar | 1.50 bar |
| 65–80 kg | 1.45 bar | 1.65 bar |
| 80–95 kg | 1.60 bar | 1.85 bar |
| Over 95 kg | 1.75 bar | 2.05 bar |
Dialing it in on the trail
Set the baseline cold
Use a quality digital gauge, not the floor pump dial. Pressure reads low when the tyre is cold, so always set before you ride.
Drop until you feel the rim
On a known rocky section, lower the front in 0.1 bar steps until you feel the rim ping a square edge, then add 0.1 bar back. That is your grip limit.
Protect the rear
Repeat for the rear but stay a touch firmer; the rear takes the harshest hits and burping or denting a rim there ends the ride.
Log it per tyre
Record front and rear pressure against the tyre and terrain in Dialed so wet-day and bike-park pressures are one tap away.
Inserts change everything. A rear insert lets you run 0.2–0.3 bar lower safely because it backs up the casing and protects the rim. Without one, do not chase the very lowest pressure; a burp mid-corner or a dented rim is not worth the marginal grip.