How to Inflate Old Bike Tires
It’s inevitable. You’re out for a leisurely bike ride when you hit a pothole and hear the hiss of air escaping from your tire. Or, you go to pump up your tires before a long ride, only to discover that they’re flat.
If you have an old bike, chances are its tires are also old. And old bike tires can be difficult to inflate. Here’s how to do it:
First, check the condition of your tires. If they’re cracked or otherwise damaged, they need to be replaced. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
Next, clean the valve with a rag or piece of paper towel. This will help ensure that air flows freely into the tire.Then, use a bicycle pump – either hand-operated or foot-powered – to inflate the tire slowly and evenly until it reaches its recommended pressure level (usually between 30 and 60 PSI).
Don’t overinflate!
- First, use a bike pump to inflate your tire to the recommended pressure
- Next, check your tire for any holes or punctures
- If you find any, use a tire patch kit to repair them
- Once your tires are inflated and patched, if necessary, spin the wheel to make sure everything is working properly before heading out on your ride!
Credit: roadcyclinguk.com
How Do You Put Air in an Old Bike Tire?
Assuming you don’t have a flat, you’ll just need to add air to your bike tire. You can do this with a hand pump or an air compressor. If using a hand pump, first make sure that it is the correct size for your bike tires.
Most hand pumps will have either a Presta or Schrader valve adapter, which will fit most bike tires. Once you’ve determined which type of valve adapter you need, simply screw it onto the valve stem on your tire and start pumping! If using an air compressor, set thePSI to the recommended amount for your bike tires (this will usually be printed on the side of the tire) and attach the hose to the valve stem.
Then just turn on the compressor and let ‘er rip!
How Do You Pump Up a Weird Bike Tire?
Assuming you have a Schrader valve:1. Unscrew the cap at the top of the valve.
2. Place the end of your pump onto the valve – if it’s a tight fit, you may need to wiggle it a bit.
3. Pump up the tire to your desired pressure – most bike tires will require between 30 and 60 PSI.
4. Once you’ve reached your desired pressure, unscrew the pump from the valve and screw the cap back on tightly.
How Do You Pump Up a Bike Tire With a Schrader Valve?
Assuming you don’t have a bike pump and need to do it with just a Schrader valve:1. Remove the cap from the valve stem on the tire.
2. Insert the Schrader valve into the valve stem.
Make sure that it’s inserted all of the way.
3. Use your mouth to start blowing air into the tire until you feel resistance.
4. Once there is resistance, use your thumb to block off the end of the Schrader valve so no air escapes while you’re continuing to blow into the tire.
5. Continue blowing until the tire is inflated to your desired PSI level (usually between 30-60 PSI).
6. Remove your thumb from the end of the Schrader valve and quickly put the cap back onto to keep all of that precious air inside!
How Do You Fill a Tire With a Presta Valve?
If you have a presta valve on your bicycle tire, you’ll need to use a Presta-specific pump to fill it up. Here’s how to do it:1. Unscrew the cap at the top of the presta valve and make sure that the valve is fully open.
2. Place the tip of the pump onto the valve and start pumping air into the tire.3. Once the tire is inflated to your desired pressure, screw the cap back onto the presta valve to prevent air from escaping.And that’s all there is to it!
Filling a tire with a Presta valve is easy once you know how to do it.
How To Pump A Bike Tyre
How to Pump a Bike Tire With a Presta Valve
Assuming you don’t already have a bike pump, you’ll need to purchase one before getting started. There are two main types of bike pumps: floor pumps and hand pumps. Floor pumps are larger and require less effort to use, but they’re not as portable as hand pumps.
Hand pumps are smaller and can be carried with you on your rides, but they take more effort to use.Presta valves are the most common type of valve found on road bikes. They’re narrower than Schrader valves and have a small knob that unscrews to allow air to enter the tire.
To pump up a tire with a Presta valve, start by unscrewing the knob at the top of the valve. This will open up the valve so air can flow through it. Next, place the nozzle of the pump onto the valve and begin pumping.
Once the tire is inflated to your desired pressure, screw the knob back onto the valve to close it off.
Conclusion
If your bike has been sitting in the garage for a while, you may need to inflate the tires before you can ride it. Here’s how to do it:1. Pump up the tires using a hand pump or an air compressor.
If you’re using a hand pump, attach it to the valve and start pumping. If you’re using an air compressor, connect the hose to the valve and turn on the compressor.2. Check the pressure with a tire gauge.
The ideal pressure will depend on your bike and what type of riding you’ll be doing, so consult your bike’s owner manual or ask an expert at your local bike shop.3. Ride your bike! Once the tires are inflated, you’re ready to hit the road (or trail).