How to Inflate a Bike Tire

Inflating a bike tire can be a frustrating task. Several things could go wrong. Once you fill the tire, all the air you just put in it could leak out. You could over-inflate it and pop the inside tube. But, if you do it correctly, you shouldn't have these problems. The right inflation will make a bike ride more enjoyable. The following steps will help you inflate a tire correctly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Find a bike pump. The bike pump could be manual or attached to your cigarette lighter in the car and pump automatically.
2. Unscrew the small black top on the valve. Place the small black cap in a safe location where it will not get lost.
3. Place the pump nozzle on top of the valve. You may hear some air escaping. This is okay since you will replace the lost air.
4. Secure the pump nozzle. Some nozzles have a black or silver nozzle lever that starts in the upright position and is pushed down to a 90 degree angle. This secures the pump to the tire valve.
5. Begin pumping. If you are using a foot pump, stand upright and inflate. If you are using an electric pump, turn the machine to "on."
6. Inflate the tire to the manufacturer's recommended pressure. This will be printed on the tire wall.