A bike tire pressure gauge is a must have for bike riders.

 

Dear bike and ebike riding friends. For the best riding comfort and flat prevention, it’s important to have your tires inflated to the optimal pounds per square inch (PSI).  A bike tire pressure gauge is a crucial tool that should be included in your bike tire repair kit. 

 

We will show you several different types of bike tire gauges that you can use to dial in the PSI of your bike tires.

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What PSI do you need for bike riding? 

Bicycle tire PSI will vary, depending on 

• Rider weight
• Bike tire width
• Difficulty of terrain 

The recommended PSI for your tires can be found on the sidewall of the rubber tread. 

The example tire in the photo has a wide all terrain tire (4 inches). The recommended PSI for this tire is (Min 5lbs- Max 30lbs.) We will inflate this tire to 20lbs. 

Hybrid Bicycles typically have a PSI of 40-70 lbs. 

Narrower road bike tires (21-25mm)  often require a higher PS of 80-130 lbs. 

As a general rule, the bumpier your ride and wider tire, the lower the PSI.

If you plan on riding bumps and jumps you will want to pump tires at the lower range of the tire’s recommendation. 

Riding smooth roads on a bike with skinny tires will require a higher PSI. 

 

Check out this video of how to use a bike tire pressure gauge. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel 

Why do I need to check my bike tire pressure? 

 

Even if the tires on your bike are new, it may be possible for them to leak air. 

Remember to check the pressure of your bike tires regularly. 

If you don’t make a habit out of checking the tire pressure weekly, chances are you’re riding with the wrong pressure most of the time.

 In order to do this accurately you will need a bike tire gauge. It’s important to get the best bike tire pressure gauge that fits the valve of your tire. 

 

What type of valve does my bike tire have? 

There are two main types of bike tire valves. The Presta valve and the Schrader valve. 

If you want to learn how to operate the valves of your bike to put air in your tires, check out this blog.

Some floor pumps come equipped with a PSI gauge but these gauges can be difficult to read to get a precise pressure. 

If you have the Schrader valves on your bike, you will not need a gauge that reads Presta valves. 

It’s important to know your ideal PSI for maximum comfort and optimal performance of your bike. 

In order to get the most accurate PSI reading carefully press the gauge fully onto the valve stem and pause for a second.  

 

Which bicycle tire pressure gauge is best for me? 

 

Digital pressure gauges have gained popularity because they are quick to use and easy to read.  The tire PSI is displayed on a LCD screen. This type of gauge requires batteries. 

This is the low cost digital pressure gauge that we used for our cycle safety tips blog. 

 

AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge for Bike, Car or Truck. 

 

Pros 

• Easy to Use and confirm PSI
• This gauges provide a very accurate reading
• Can be used in low light conditions.
• Inexpensive

Cons

• This gauge only works with the Schrader Valve. 

 

Topeak SmartGauge D2

Pros 

• This bike tire pressure gauge works with Schrader and Presta Valve 
• No need to change parts to switch between Schrader and Presta valve
• The device provides an accurate reading
• Includes an air release button to deflate tires
• A rotating head makes it easy to use the gauge on the valve at a straight angle

 

Cons 

• More expensive since it has multi valve features

 

PRO BIKE TOOL  Mini Bicycle Tire Pump for Road, Mountain and BMX

Pros

• Comes with bike mounting attachment
• Works with both Presta and Schrader valves
• Pumps bike tires and provides PSI reading
• This is a well made bike tool

Con

• This is not a digital gauge, can be harder to get exact psi

 

Valve-Loc Pencil Analog Tire Pressure Gauge

Pros

• Very small design and can be easily stored
• These pencil bicycle tire pressure gauges come with two in pack
• These gauges are constructed of stainless steel
• Thick valve that prevents air leaks at the nozzle

Cons

• Not made for Presta Valves 
• Not a digital gauge can be harder to get exact psi 

A bike tire pressure gauge for all occasions

Now you know a bit more about choosing the best tire pressure gauge for your rides. All of the bicycle tire gauges recommended today have consistently high ratings of durability and accuracy.

For the first few months of riding ebikes we initially relied on our floor pump as a PSI gauge. Unfortunately this gauge didn’t help us out when we were riding and got a flat. Also, we found that after purchasing a digital gauge we were able to get a much more consistent and accurate pressure level between the front and back tires.

This floor bike pump can help you inflate a bike tire about 10 times faster than a hand pump.

You are now armed with the knowledge of how to select your optimal PSI for different tires and terrains.  You have the correct insight on how to identify the valve on your tires.

You will be checking your pressure regularly for optimal riding and even be able to help out fellow riders with their PSI.

Have a a great ride!