How to Pump a Bicycle Tire

Bicycle tires require the proper inflation for top performance.

The ability to pump up a bicycle tire is an essential skill for any person who owns a bike and uses it to any degree. A properly inflated bicycle tire is also a key preventative maintenance issue for the bike. If the air pressure is too low in a bicycle tire, it runs the risk of a snake-bite puncture on its tube due to the low pressure.

Things You'll Need

• Bicycle pump

Instructions

1. Determine whether the valve on your tire is a Schrader or Presta valve. The Schrader type is more common and resembles the valve on your car tire. It will have a cap. More expensive bikes often have presta valves, which are longer and narrower.

2. Use the appropriate pump. You need to use a bicycle pump that is compatible with your particular bicycle tire valve. Some bicycle pumps will accommodate both types of valves. The packaging or manual will be able to tell you which valve it works with.

3. Attach the pump to the valve. Most pumps have a lever to do this. Then begin filling the tire with air. Some pumps you'll operate with your arms, while floor pumps can be operated with your leg.

4. Don't exceed the recommended pounds per square inches. The recommended PSI of most tires can be found right on the outside wall of the tire. Most tires on department store brand bikes can safely be inflated to 50 PSI; mountain bikes to 65 PSI; and road bikes to 100 PSI.

5. Check with your local bike shop if you can't inflate the tire. You may have a deeper issue, like a puncture in your tube, a bad rim strip, a broken spoke, a malfunctioning valve or sharp debris inside the tire wall. If this is the case, you should check with your local bike mechanics. They should quickly be able to assess the problem for you and answer any of your questions and concerns.

Tips & Warnings

• If your bicycle tire uses a Presta valve, be gentle when attaching and removing the pump from the valve so you don't bend the smaller release valve piece.

• Check the pressure in your tires often.

References

• Sheldon Brown: Bicycle Tires and Tubes