How Tire Pressure Changes Grip and Rolling Resistance

Tire pressure changes how a bicycle responds to load, roughness and cornering forces. Explore why the best setting depends on the tire, rider, surface and conditions rather than one universal number. Inside this episode: - Pressure supports the load - Casing loss - The rough-road penalty - Grip on uneven surfaces - The contact patch changes shape Sources include Field study of bicycle tire pressure, Rough-road rolling model, and Mountain-bike surfaces and pressure. This episode is a researched narrative summary. Historical records may be incomplete, translated differently, or interpreted differently by scholars. We distinguish documented facts, estimates, disputed interpretations, and later stories where material. Corrections are logged and incorporated into future editions. Follow Cycling Beyond the Pedals for more researched stories about the engineering and strategy of cycling.