How to Fill a Presta Valve Bicycle Tire

Bicycle tubes come with either Schrader or Presta valves. Presta valves are narrower than Schrader valves and contain a built-in valve cap in the form of a threaded nut. If you find that the head of your pump is too large to fit the Presta valve, an adapter will be required to make the pump compatible. A Presta valve adapter can be purchased at your local bike shop or online.

Things You'll Need

• Presta valve adapter (as needed)
• Air pump

Instructions

1. Unscrew and remove the black plastic cap from the tip of the Presta valve. Unthread the nut until it’s all the way out. The nut is not removed.

2. If the pump head is too big for the Presta valve, thread a Presta valve adaptor onto the valve until it’s fully seated.

3. Fit the pump head onto the valve and lock the head in place.

4. Check the recommended tire pressure on the sidewall of the tire. The pressure will be listed in pounds-per-square inch, or PSI.

5. Inflate the tire to the recommended tire pressure. Unlock and remove the pump head from the Presta valve.

6. Thread the nut all the way down onto the valve. Replace the black plastic cap.

References

• SheldonBrown: "Presta vs Scrader Valves" by Jobst Brandt
• MatthewBikes: Presta Valve Adapter Lesson