What pressure are you running? Three different pressure monitoring systems, put to the test

Real-time pressure sensors allow you to test your own tire pressures to go faster, be more comfortable, and get fewer flats

Tire pressure monitor: Quarq TyreWiz
(Image credit: Tyler Boucher)
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Sports science in cycling has reached a golden age. Advancements in aerodynamics are rewriting the rulebooks (see: the ongoing aero helmet spat currently unfolding in professional cycling), as well as changing race tactics. Old rules of thumb about how much time a peloton could give a breakaway are being mooted by crafty racers using tuned aerodynamic strategies as part of their arsenal, and race speeds continue to go up and up. 

Tied to this battle for speed is the increased attention given to rolling resistance, specifically, trying to lessen its impact. When it comes to tires, the prevailing wisdom used to be that narrow is fastest, but that’s gone out the window. It’s now known that, especially in races with rough surfaces, wider tires at lower pressures provide a speed advantage. There are other benefits too: increased comfort (which means less fatigue), better grip, and decreased likelihood of puncture.

For races like Paris-Roubaix, tire pressures can be a closely guarded secret that team mechanics go to great pains to maintain. In the last few years we’ve seen multiple products that adjust tire pressure on the fly to optimize pressure for the conditions the riders face. Roubaix has long been a proving ground for new technology, and more often than not these innovations don’t last, but there are always lessons to be learned. For everyday cyclists, figuring out what pressures work for you takes some trial and error. Individual preference is part of the equation: some people like the consistency of a firmer pressure, while others like the floating feeling offered by slightly less air. Tubeless tires and rims have made a wider range of pressures viable, though there are still limits on both ends of the spectrum.

 How low is too low?  

tyre pressure

(Image credit: Future (Andy Jones))

How does one ascertain the optimal pressure? Online pressure calculators like the one Silca and others have developed provide a good jumping off point. By inputting your weight, wheel size, tire width and surface conditions, you can get a good idea of what will provide the best blend of grip, comfort and rolling resistance. 

But there may be additional factors that are pertinent to you, and this is where tire pressure monitoring systems come into play. By using tools like these, you can accurately experiment with different pressures, and crucially, replicate these results over and over again. 

The main premise behind these systems is to make it easier to maintain optimal pressures while riding. You can also enable alerts to remind you if your tire pressure gets too low. For riders who frequently forget to check before they head out the door, this may be a helpful feature.

Conclusion

Tire pressure monitor: SKS airspy

(Image credit: Tyler Boucher)

It was interesting to test these three products together. All of them work more or less as advertised, and though they use different means to get there, the end result is the same: real time, accurate tire pressures. One of the biggest differences between the three was the functionality of the associated apps. Each one has a different interface and set of features available: SKS and Quarq have larger apps useful for many different products, while Tubolito’s app is about as rudimentary as it gets. 

Tubolito’s concept shows promise, but needs further refinement to become as usable as the other two systems and its appeal is limited by being built into a tube. The SKS Airspy is easy to use and feels reliable, though would benefit from being made more compact. Quarq’s TyreWiz boasts impressive accuracy, but its design leaves it vulnerable and it is the most expensive option of the three.

I’m glad these products exist, but realistically I don’t think there’s a massive amount of demand. Yes, tire pressure is worth paying attention to, and optimizing your pressures will help you go faster and be more comfortable, but very few riders (except perhaps professional cyclists) need to know if the tires they’re riding on are at 60 PSI or 61 PSI. In the ballpark is plenty close enough, and there are handheld gauges that will get you there for significantly cheaper than the pressure monitors tested here.

Through my testing, I was surprised to learn just how much air latex tubes can lose in 24 hours. It’s significant: I experienced up to 6 PSI lost just overnight. TPU tubes and tubeless tires lose very little in comparison. I also was reminded that pressure gauges attached to floor pumps or air compressors might be consistent in their readings, but are usually not very accurate. 

If you want to experiment with different pressures in order to find your optimal set up, these tools will help make that easier. I don’t know if that alone can justify the cost. The built in alert systems that let you know if your pressure is off may be helpful for some people, but it’s hard to argue that such a feature is worth the asking price. 

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Tyler Boucher
Tyler Boucher
Freelance Writer

Tyler Boucher is a former (and occasionally still) bike racer across several disciplines. These days, he spends most of his time in the saddle piloting his children around in a cargo bike. His writing has appeared in magazines published in Europe, the UK and North America. He lives in Seattle, Washington.