Too-soft tires feel like you’re pedalling through syrup, but go too hard and you’ll bounce straight off the saddle. A single bar up or down might seem like a small detail, yet it has a massive impact on your performance. So how do you make sure your tyre pressure is always dialled?
The power of proper pressure
Perfect tyre pressure is key for performance, and it also defines your grip and comfort. When your tyres are too soft, rolling resistance shoots up and you dramatically increase the risk of pinch flats. In other words, you’re leaking watts you shouldn’t. Overinflated tyres hurt performance too. The moment the road gets even slightly rough, they can’t absorb vibrations. Those micro-shocks pass straight into your body, making you less stable and wasting more energy.
Right in-between lies the sweet spot: the perfect pressure. A tenth of a bar up or down decides how much grip, comfort and speed you unlock from your bike. There’s a reason pro teams run different pressures front and rear, tuned to the course, temperature and surface, allowing for minimal rolling resistance and maximum control.
The ideal tyre pressure
There is no one size fits all when it comes to pressure. The pressure range printed on your tyre sidewall is broad, too broad. Finding out where you should fall within that range for peak performance takes the same fine-tuning the pros do.
Your perfect setup depends on:
your tyre width and brand
your weight
the surface and temperature
and ultimately: personal preference
Precision down to the decimal
Every tyre loses air. Always. Even when your bike is sitting still in the shed. So: check your pressure before every ride.
A floor pump with a gauge works, but let’s be honest: once the pressure climbs, it becomes a sweaty battle before your training even starts.
With an electric pump like the Turblo and Turblo+ the whole process becomes smoother. Set your desired pressure, and the Turblo inflates with 0.10-bar precision while the Turblo+ hits 0.05-bar accuracy.
Thanks to the automatic stop feature you’ll never overinflate. A smart bonus on the Turblo+ is its preset function, letting you store four different pressures for road, gravel and MTB. No guessing, just spot-on pressure every time.
Pro tip: Travelling? The Turblo+ is cabin-friendly and powerful enough to pump up to ten tyres on a single charge, plenty for the whole crew.
Fast, precise pressure, just like at home.
From flat tyre to perfect pressure
On the road you won’t have a floor pump or Turblo+ to save you. Luckily, you’ve got options. Here’s the honest breakdown.
Hand pump
Advantage: works anywhere, easy to carry.
Disadvantage: slow, tiring and you never quite know the exact pressure.
CO₂ cartridge
Advantage: compact, pocketable.
Disadvantage: CO₂ requires serious accuracy. It blasts air in quickly but doesn’t stop at your target pressure, so it’s easy to overshoot and end up deflating again. Plus, it’s single-use.
Turblo: electric mini pump
Advantage: super-accurate, hands-free, auto-stop and fits in a jersey pocket or saddle bag.
Disadvantage: everyone on the group ride will want to borrow it.
Essential on every cycling trip
Before your flight you deflate your tyres, but once you arrive you want to ride immediately. The Turblo+ fits in your hand luggage and brings your tyres up to perfect pressure in seconds. No compromises, no half-flat tyres, just build up and roll out.
Heading out bikepacking? Then the Turblo is your best mate: small, light, USB-C rechargeable and always precise. Exactly what you need when your gear has to deliver, no excuses.
Do you want to know more about these electric e-pumps?
Check them out!
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