How to Inflate a Tire With a Presta Valve

Do your bicycle's tires use Presta valves?

There are two main types of valves in use on most bicycle tires today: Presta and Schrader. A Presta valve is a valve used often on tire tubes for road and mountain bikes. Presta valves are skinnier and lock open with a nut that screws outward. Schrader valves have a spring mechanism that keeps them closed. This difference makes Presta valves a little more complicated to use, but they do not require as much effort to pump as Schrader valves. A smaller pump with no hose can be used more easily, since you don't have to push pressure past a spring mechanism.

Things You'll Need

• Tire fitted with a tube with a Presta valve
• Bicycle pump compatible with Presta valves

Instructions

1. Unscrew the nut on the valve so that it is at the top end of the valve, farthest from the tire.

2. Press the pump onto the valve and lock it in place with the lever. Pump the tire until it is filled to specification.

3. Unlock the pump lever and remove the pump from the tire quickly, as some air will likely escape during this process. Screw the nut on the valve back down to be snug with the wheel.

Tips & Warnings

• Many bicycle pumps are now compatible with both Schrader and Presta valves, but if yours is not, you can purchase a Schrader adapter for your Presta valve or vice versa.

• Fill the tube only enough to hold its shape before fitting it into the bicycle tire. Once the tube in properly in the tire and the tire is properly on the bicycle , then fill the tube to its desired fullness.

References

• Presta v.s Schrader valves by Jobst Brandt