# Bicycle tires vs automobile tires **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 20, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860 "2023-10-20T21:39:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/41 "2023-10-26T06:59:36Z")
I use a battery-powered electric pump that has a built-in pressure gauge. It seems to be accurate as far as I can tell. That calculator is telling me I should have my front and rear tires at 28.5 and 30.5, though, which is lower than the minimum pressure labeled on my tires and considerably lower than what I’ve actually been keeping them at (45 and 55). I don’t know if it’s wrong or I am. ---
**Author:** ![gnarator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gnarator/32/8266_2.png) [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/42 "2023-10-26T07:05:09Z")
If it were me, I’d pump the rear one to 60 and the front one to 50. This should give you plenty of time before it starts to lose enough air to bother you. If you don’t like it, 55 and 45 sound fine to me. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/43 "2023-10-26T09:03:20Z")
The pressures the calculator reports for my weight/tires are pretty much bang on. Did you select some other more exotic road surfaces/speeds? ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/44 "2023-10-26T10:54:25Z")
I was also struck by this in the OP: > [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I can literally go years without needing to put air in my car and truck tires I put air in my car tires about five times per year, and this across a number of vehicles over many years. At the very least, whenever I put on summer vs. winter tires, the pressures are out of whack to a varying degree. I’m not a car guy, but even I can easily tell my car tires aren’t inflated enough, or are inflated unevenly, just from how the car handles itself. Wouldn’t dream of just ignoring it, knowing how much effect it has in the long run / in an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/45 "2023-10-26T13:08:45Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > For your described riding I’d suggest higher pressure unless it feels harsh or you start losing traction. Agree with this as a good starting point - pump to the max indicated on the sidewall. If the ride is all paved but feels harsh, let out some air until it feels comfortable yet efficient. Once you have it dialed-in, use a guage to see what PSI each tire is, and just keep them there. ---
**Author:** ![jjakucyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/46 "2023-10-26T13:26:12Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > Higher pressures are more efficient, lower pressures are grippier. That’s not entirely true, though tire construction definitely is a factor. Racing bikes have been moving to wider softer tires at lower pressures because vibration/suspension losses from very high pressure tires outweighs the benefit of lower rolling resistance and lack of deformation. > **[Myths Debunked: Higher Tire Pressure is NOT Faster](https://www.renehersecycles.com/myth-16-higher-tire-pressure-is-faster/)** > > This used to be one of the first things you learned as a cyclist: If you want to go fast, make sure your tires are pumped up to the maximum pressure. The harder your tires are inflated, the faster they roll. We now know that… ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/47 "2023-10-26T15:19:44Z")
I vaguely recall inflating my plain one or three speed bike tires to 30psi as a kid. Back in the mid-60’s - remember Sturmey-Archer 3-speed bike hubs? a derailleur 5 speed was high tech. One idiot I knew cranked the gas station pump to maximum (100psi?) and proceeded to fill his bike tire. It went “BANG” and the sidewall ripped open about 6 inches long. Stupid is as stupid does. Because of that, I always thought filling my bike tires today to 60psi was pushing limits, but apparently it’s normal. Of course, the tire is thinner and I weight about 3 times what I did back then. If it dips below 40psi, there’s a noticeable bulge and corner slide. OTOH, I have yet to get a flat tire in the last few decades, and I was constantly fixing flats back then - plenty of bike maintenance experience. (Another fun task was replacing the front axle after one too many times trying to jump the curb. Canadian Tire had a full set of bike parts for kids like me.) ---
**Author:** ![MonkeysBrother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@MonkeysBrother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeysBrother)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/48 "2023-10-26T17:09:51Z")
> [@jjakucyk](#): > > > [@outlierrn](#): > > > > Higher pressures are more efficient, lower pressures are grippier. > > That’s not entirely true, though tire construction definitely is a factor. Racing bikes have been moving to wider softer tires at lower pressures because vibration/suspension losses from very high pressure tires outweighs the benefit of lower rolling resistance and lack of deformation. > > [Myths Debunked: Higher Tire Pressure is NOT Faster – Rene Herse Cycles](https://www.renehersecycles.com/myth-16-higher-tire-pressure-is-faster/) Really interesting read. Let’s hear it for actual, experimental science. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/49 "2023-10-26T18:50:28Z")
> [@jjakucyk](#): > > That’s not entirely true, though tire construction definitely is a factor. Well, that’s all good information, but I wouldn’t think it applied to **Smapti’s** question. That data set is a fair ways from the bike he’s riding, and the conclusion, that a harsh ride is too much pressure, is in line with my own. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/50 "2023-10-26T18:54:20Z")
> [@MonkeysBrother](#): > > Really interesting read. Let’s hear it for actual, experimental science. Hard agree, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen something that ‘everyone knew’ get some actual science done on it and have surprise results. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/51 "2023-10-26T19:07:15Z")
> [@MonkeysBrother](#): > > > [@jjakucyk](#): > > > > > [@outlierrn](#): > > > > > > Higher pressures are more efficient, lower pressures are grippier. > > > > That’s not entirely true, though tire construction definitely is a factor. Racing bikes have been moving to wider softer tires at lower pressures because vibration/suspension losses from very high pressure tires outweighs the benefit of lower rolling resistance and lack of deformation. - > > > > [Myths Debunked: Higher Tire Pressure is NOT Faster – Rene Herse Cycles](https://www.renehersecycles.com/myth-16-higher-tire-pressure-is-faster/) > > Really interesting read. Let’s hear it for actual, experimental science. > **[Bicycle Rolling Resistance | Rolling Resistance Tests](https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/)** > > Bicycle Rolling Resistance publishes detailed reviews and articles about mountain bike and road bike tires, which have been tested on our rolling resistance roller ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/52 "2023-10-26T19:52:29Z")
The problem with the tests on that site is that they are not examining the effects of the whole system including the bicycle and rider. That’s the point of the testing that the Rene Herse people did. Their point is that a tire turning a steel drum is not a sufficient test. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/53 "2023-10-26T20:57:57Z")
I will caution that there’s lots of room for apples and oranges in tire discussions. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/54 "2023-10-26T22:05:11Z")
I disagree - neither apples nor oranges are likely to provide sufficient grip whether fitted to a car or bike. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/55 "2023-10-26T22:44:27Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > Hard agree, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen something that ‘everyone knew’ get some actual science done on it and have surprise results. … And the ‘everyone knew’ crowd doesn’t believe the science, right? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/56 "2023-10-27T02:04:25Z")
> [@The\_Librarian](#): > > Did you select some other more exotic road surfaces/speeds? I went with “worn pavement/some cracks” and “recreational”. I have 27.5"x2.1" tires and myself, plus my bike, plus my gear probably comes to somewhere around 340-350 lbs. Those numbers plugged into the calculator are recommending a pressure that’s below the minimum marked on my tires, so I think I’m gonna stick with 45/55, which gives me a fairly smooth ride, lets me get a decent speed if I’m pedaling on level ground without the motor on (with the motor I can cruise at 20 MPH effortlessly) and I don’t get pinch flats anymore like I did when I was first getting used to biking after not having owned a bike for 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/57 "2023-10-27T02:39:11Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > I disagree - neither apples nor oranges are likely to provide sufficient grip whether fitted to a car or bike. And bananas are right out! ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/58 "2023-10-27T02:50:29Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > And bananas are right out! What about coconuts? I’ve heard that swallows carry them around effortlessly. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/59 "2023-10-27T05:17:24Z")
Not European swallows… That’s my point. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860/60 "2023-10-27T13:47:20Z")
I guess you plugged in ~52mm tyres? Did you measure those inflated on the rim or is that what it says on the box? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tires-vs-automobile-tires/991860.md?page=4)