How to Inflate Road Bike Tires

Inflating a road bike tire really isn't that much different than inflating a normal bike tire. The stem on a bike tire is generally the main difference and the amount of PSI that you put in.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• floor pump

1. 
   Presta Valve

   Open the Presta valve on your bike tire by unscrewing the top knob of it. If you have a Schrader valve then take the cap off.

2. 

   Get your pump ready. Our pump has two holes in it one being larger than the other. Schrader valves are larger so they use the bigger hole and the smaller hole is for Presta valves.

3. 

   You can purchase an adapter if your pump only fits Schrader valves. You simply screw this adapter onto your Presta valve and then put your pump head onto the adapter.

4. Make sure that the valve is pushed into the pump at least 1/3 of the way.

5. Our pump has a lever lock so in order to inflate a tire it must be flipped up, "locking" the valve into the pump. If you haven't pushed the valve in far enough it won't work right. When you go to push the pump handle down, it won't let you since the air has no way of escaping.

6. 

   On the side of the tire should be the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure. You should take into account the weight of the rider too though. For a rider that weighs 130 lbs, the recommended 100 psi would be fine. For a rider of 230 lbs, you could increase the pressure to 120 psi. Experimenting to find what works best for you and your bike is the best option.

7. You can run less pressure in the front tire than the rear tire due to most of the weight being on the back tire. Keep the front tire at the recommended psi and increase the psi of back tire.

8. 

   Use the gauge on your pump to accurately measure the amount of psi that you pump in.

9. When you are done inflating your tire, flip the lever lock down and remove the pump head from off your valve.

10. Screw the top of the Presta valve back down or replace the cap on the Schrader valve. Put your pump away and enjoy the ride.

Tips & Warnings

• Pump at a slow and steady pace.
• Pumping up your tires at the local gas station can create too much pressure and burst your tires since there is no way to gauge the psi.

Resources

• Bicycle Habitat--step 3 shows a PSI to weight chart

[dsarokin]

on 1/14/2009 Thanks. Very well explained. But *why* did they have to make 'em with different valves???

[justmeboy22]

on 1/14/2009 great article, good tips 5****

[Mitestarossa]

on 1/12/2009 Good tips.

[kkemp]

on 12/23/2008 Great articleand tips!

[paint-it]

on 12/23/2008 Thanks. Well written and thorough! 5*