What is a good Crr for road cycling?

Top-tier road race tires achieve Crr of 0.003–0.004 on smooth surfaces. Training tires with puncture protection typically range from 0.004–0.006. Values above 0.006 indicate a focus on durability over speed.

How much power does rolling resistance cost?

At 30 km/h with a total weight of 82 kg, a road race tire (Crr 0.0033) costs about 22 watts. A puncture-resistant training tire (Crr 0.0055) costs about 37 watts. Rolling resistance power scales linearly with both speed and Crr.

Does surface quality affect rolling resistance?

Significantly. Rough asphalt increases effective Crr by roughly 40%. Packed gravel can double the rolling resistance, and loose gravel can triple it compared to smooth asphalt.

Does tire pressure affect rolling resistance?

Yes. Lower pressure increases the contact patch and Crr. However, on rough surfaces, excessive pressure can increase vibration losses that exceed the rolling resistance savings. The optimal pressure depends on surface quality.

Cycling Rolling Resistance Calculator

Name: Cycling Rolling Resistance Calculator
Author: Manish Kumar

Key Takeaways

Rolling resistance (Crr) represents the energy lost as a tire deforms against the road surface. Lower Crr means fewer watts wasted and higher speed at the same power.^[1]
A high-quality road race tire (Crr ~0.003) saves approximately 5–10 watts compared to a puncture-resistant training tire (Crr ~0.006) at 30 km/h.^[2]
Surface quality has a major impact. The same tire rolling on rough asphalt has ~40% higher effective Crr than on smooth asphalt.
Rolling resistance power increases linearly with speed, while aerodynamic drag increases with the cube of speed. At low speeds (<20 km/h), rolling resistance is the dominant loss.

The Rolling Resistance Formula

F_rr = Crr × m × g × cos(θ)

P_rr = F_rr × v

Where Crr is the coefficient of rolling resistance, m is total mass (kg), g is gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²), θ is the road grade angle, and v is speed (m/s). The cos(θ) term accounts for reduced normal force on inclines.^[1]

Temperature and Pressure Effects

Cold Weather

Rubber compounds stiffen in cold conditions, increasing hysteresis losses. Crr can increase by 15–20% at temperatures below 5°C (41°F) compared to 20°C (68°F).^[2]

Tire Pressure

Lower tire pressure increases contact patch area and rolling resistance. However, on rough surfaces, the comfort gain and vibration reduction from lower pressure can offset the Crr increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References

Bicycle Tire Rolling Resistance Testing Methodology. Bicycle Rolling Resistance. Independent Testing Database (2024)
Factors Affecting Cycling Rolling Resistance. Multiple authors. Journal of Science and Cycling (2019)
A Mathematical Model for Cycling Power. Martin JC, Milliken DL, Cobb JE et al.. Journal of Applied Biomechanics (1998)

Manish Kumar

Certified Personal Trainer & Sports Nutritionist

NASM-CPTCertified Sports Nutritionist10+ Years Experience500+ Clients Coached

NASM-certified fitness and nutrition coach with over 10 years of hands-on experience helping people build strength, lose fat, and live healthier lives. Specializing in gym-based workouts with a strong focus on lifting technique, biomechanics, and practical exercise science. Through FitLifeRegime, sharing the tools, tips, and insights that have worked for hundreds of clients — helping you start your own fitness journey with confidence and clarity.

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Certified Personal Trainer & Sports Nutritionist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine

This tool is for informational and journaling purposes only.

I am NOT a doctor.