How to Use a Bike Suspension Pump

Providing a more comfortable ride, suspension is a feature on many of today's mountain- and hybrid-style bikes. These systems absorb road shock, lessening impact upon the body. Some bikes include suspension only at the front, while others may have it at both the front and rear. The pressure within each suspension unit should be set to accommodate a rider's weight (if you're unsure of the setting, check your manual or contact the manufacturer). Riders use a special pump to add pressure to either unit

Things You'll Need

• Bike suspension pump

Instructions

1. Remove the valve cap from each valve. On the front suspension, there is a valve at the top of each leg of the fork. On rear suspension, there is just one valve, located where the suspension attaches to the bike frame.

2. Attach the head of the pump to the valve. Operate the plunger at the opposite end of the pump to push air into the suspension.

3. Continue to add air to the suspension until achieving the recommended pressure, as indicated on the pump dial. If you over-inflate, press the bleed button on the side of the pump to release air from the suspension.

4. Repeat for both sides of the suspension fork. If adding pressure to rear suspension only, proceed to the next step.

5. Remove the pump head from the valve, and replace the valve cap.

References

• "Bicycle Maintenance & Repair for Road and Mountain Bikes;" Todd Downs; 2005
• BikeWebsite: Suspension Basics