What the heck is “tubeless” and how much air pressure do I need?
Tubeless tires have become the standard for new mountain bikes. This means that there is no inner tube holding the air pressure between the tire and the rim (the outer metal circle that makes up your wheels). Essentially, the edge of the tire creates a seal by locking into a small lip on the interior of your rim. Using a sealant in combination with this, you eliminate the need to use a tube inside your tire. This leads to a lighter overall wheel weight (think easier pedaling) and allows you to run lower tire pressure (think more traction)!
So, about this tire pressure – the number indicated on the sidewall of the tire is the maximum amount of tire pressure you can safely run. Usually, that number is much higher than you’ll need to run. Your psi is also dependent on your weight, riding style and terrain. The lighter you are the less pressure you’ll need, the more aggressive you are the higher pressure you’ll need. In general, in wet or loose conditions riders will run lower tire pressure. For hard-packed dirt or trails that are very rocky, higher tire pressure could be needed or desired.
The below chart is a good place to start based on rider weight and riding style. Personal preference will affect tire pressure choice, so these recommendations are not set in stone.
Reference: Jen Hudak Liv Cycling
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Recommended Tire Pressure for Tubeless Tires |
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|
Rider Weight (lbs) |
27.5 x 2.0 - 2.2 |
27.5 x 2.2 - 2.4 |
29 x 2.0 - 2.2 |
29 x 2.2 - 2.4 |
More Aggressive Rider |
|
100 |
23 F / 25 R |
21 F / 23 R |
21 F / 23 R |
19 F / 21 R |
(+) 2 psi F & R |
|
110 |
24 F / 26 R |
22 F / 24 R |
22 F / 24 R |
20 F / 22 R |
(+) 2 psi F & R |
|
120 |
25 F / 27 R |
23 F / 25 R |
23 F / 25 R |
21 F / 23 R |
(+) 2 psi F & R |
|
130 |
26 F / 28 R |
24 F / 26 R |
24 F / 26 R |
22 F / 24 R |
(+) 2 psi F & R |
|
140 |
27 F / 29 R |
25 F / 27 R |
25 F / 27 R |
23 F / 25 R |
(+) 2 psi F & R |
|
150 |
28 F / 30 R |
26 F / 28 R |
26 F / 28 R |
24 F / 26 R |
(+) 2 psi F & R |
|
160 |
29 F / 31 R |
27 F / 29 R |
27 F / 29 R |
25 F / 27 R |
(+) 3 psi F & R |
|
170 |
30 F / 32 R |
28 F / 30 R |
28 F / 30 R |
26 F / 28 R |
(+) 3 psi F & R |
|
180 |
31 F / 33 R |
29 F / 31 R |
29 F / 31 R |
27 F / 29 R |
(+) 3 psi F & R |
|
190 |
33 F / 31 R |
30 F / 32 R |
30 F / 32 R |
28 F / 30 R |
(+) 3 psi F & R |
|
200 |
34 F / 32 R |
31 F / 33 R |
31 F / 33 R |
29 F / 31 R |
(+) 3 psi F & R |
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F = Front Tire Pressure |
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