The effect of tyre pressure on the economy of cycling

Abstract

Cycling requires power generation to overcome gravity, air resistance, and rolling resistance. When rolling surface and roiling speed are constant for a given tyre, rolling resistance is determined by tyre inflation pressure and the combined weight (CW) of the bicycle and rider. In this study, the oxygen uptake per unit CW (V˙O₂ ·CW⁻¹) of seven trained bicycle racers (5 men, 2 women, 24 ± 2 years) was measured while each cycled up a 4% incline at 19·3 km·h⁻¹ and 75 revolutions·min⁻¹ on a motor-driven treadmill, using randomly-ordered tyre pressures of 552, 690, 827, and 965 kPa. Subjects (55·8–78·4 kg) rode their racing bicycles equipped with the same set of sew-up tyres and wheels. V˙O₂·CW⁻¹ was averaged over the last 3 min of a 5 min ride at each pressure. A repeated measures analysis of variance was performed and significance set at p<0·05. V˙O₂·CW⁻¹ ranged from 28·1 ± 0·6 to 28·9±0·5 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ and was not significantly different between tyre pressures. We conclude that differences in rolling resistance caused by varying tyre pressure between 552 and 965 kPa, are too small to be detected physiologically.

Keywords:

• Oxygen uptake
• Energy expenditure
• Cycling