Criterium racing and road racing not only place huge demands on riders, but on equipment as well. If you’re curious what pressures we’re running when we race, check out our quick guide below.
Tubes vs. Tubeless
The biggest determinant of tire pressure will be what tires you’re running- thanks to our Campagnolo Bora WTO wheels, riders have an option of riding either Tubeless Continental GP5000 tires or Clincher GP5000s, with Supersonic innertubes. Tubeless allows for lower pressures due to the lack of an inner tube, and depending on tire width, can allow you to go significantly lower than with a clincher. Inner tubes require more pressure, but latex innertubes drastically cut down on rolling resistance while providing ease of installation.
Tire Width
Tire width also is a factor for consideration- the wider the tire, the lower the pressure you can run. Our riders are racing on 25-28c tires, though some of our gravel riders may opt for 32 or even 35 c tires depending on the race and conditions. In general, for fast road racing, a 25 or 28 c tire will be perfect.
Rider Weight
The last major consideration for tire pressure is rider weight- heavier riders will need to pump their pressures higher than lighter riders, due to the increased forces on the tire and wheel system. We advise adding an extra 5-10 psi from what we recommend below. Lighter riders (under 150 lbs) can get away with slightly lower pressures for the same reason.
Tire Pressure Recommendation
Using a clincher tire with 25 c tires, we advise the following pressures (dry conditions, 150 lb rider):
-Front: 90 PSI, Rear 95 PSI
With a tubeless tire (25 c, dry, 150 lb rider), we race on the following:
-Front 78 PSI, Rear 83 PSI
For 28 c tires, you can lower the above pressures by an additional 5 psi due to the increased air volume in the tire.
Correctly inflating your tires will provide a more enjoyable riding and racing experience, as well as better protect you from snake-bites. Race hard, get dialed, and we look forward to riding with you soon!
