How to Properly Inflate Bike Tires
Inflating bike tires is an important part of regular maintenance. Under-inflated tires can lead to a flat tire, while over-inflated tires can make for a bumpy ride. Here are some tips on how to properly inflate bike tires:
First, check the pressure of your tires with a tire pressure gauge. The ideal pressure will vary depending on the type of tire you have. For example, road bike tires typically require 80-130 PSI, while mountain bike tires usually only need 30-40 PSI.
Next, use a pump to add air to your tires. If you don’t have a pump, you can also use a compressor or even just your mouth (although this isn’t recommended). Once the desired pressure is reached, put the cap back on the valve and give it a few extra pumps just in case.
- Check your bike tires to see what the recommended PSI is
- You can find this information on the side of the tire
- Use a bike pump to inflate your bike tires
- Make sure to attach the pump to the valve on the tire securely
- Pump air into the tire until it reaches the recommended PSI
- You may need to check the PSI with a gauge as you go to make sure you don’t over-inflate or under-inflate the tire
- Once the tire is inflated, remove the pump and replace the valve cap on the tire valve
How To Pump A Bike Tyre
How to Inflate Bike Tire Presta Valve
Bike tires can go flat for a number of reasons, but most often it’s because of a slow leak. If you have a Presta valve on your bike tire, here’s how to inflate it:
1. Start by unscrewing the cap at the top of the valve.
2. Use a bike pump to start inflating the tire. You may need to hold onto the base of the valve while you do this in order to get a tight seal.
3. Once the tire is inflated to your desired pressure, screw the cap back onto the valve and you’re done!
Credit: www.bikeradar.com
How Do You Tell If Bike Tires are Properly Inflated?
Assuming you don’t have a fancy digital tire gauge:
Press the thumb test: If you can press the tire with your thumb and the tire doesn’t give much, it means there’s still room for more air. The harder it is to press in, the better.
Spin the wheel test: Another way to check if a bike tire is properly inflated is by spinning the wheel and checking how freely it turns. If it rotates quickly and smoothly, then most likely the bike tires are fine. However, if they spin slowly or make grinding noises, then they definitely need more air.
How Much Should I Inflate My Bike Tires?
Bike tires are like car tires in that they need to be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. The range is usually between 80 and 130 PSI (pounds per square inch). You can find this information on the sidewall of your tire.
If you’re unsure of how much air to put in your bike tires, err on the side of slightly less air than is suggested. It’s better for your bike tires to be a little under-inflated than it is for them to be over-inflated.
Over-inflating your bike tires can lead to a number of problems, including:
decreased traction and grip, which can be dangerous when riding on wet or icy roads;
a harsher ride, as the tire will bounce more on the road;
premature wear and tear on the tire, as well as on other parts of the bike such as the wheels and frame;
and a greater chance of puncturing the tire.
Conversely, under-inflating your bike tires can also cause problems:
the tire is more likely to suffer a blowout; // what does this mean?
-A //A: A blowout is when too much pressure causes the inner tube to explode out throught he hole in teh rim that it sits in. This often happens with car tyres when driven at high speeds for long periods of time without a break. However, it can happen to bicycle tyres if they are not inflated enough or if there is a sharp object poking throught he tyre wall fromt he inside outwards.
If this happens it can cause serious injury so make sure you check your tyre pressures regularly!
it’s harder for the bike to roll, making pedaling more difficult;
increased wear and tear on both the tire and wheel rim.
To avoid these problems, simply check your bike’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) frequently and inflate or deflate accordingly.
Conclusion
To properly inflate bike tires, you’ll need a good quality pump. You can either use a hand pump or an air compressor. If using a hand pump, it’s important to attach it to the valve stem securely.
For Schrader valves, which have a small pin in the center of the valve, you’ll need to depress the pin before attaching the pump. Once the pump is attached, start pumping until the tire is at the desired pressure. For Presta valves, which don’t have a pin in the center of the valve, you’ll need to unscrew the cap before attaching the pump.
When finished pumping, screw the cap back on tightly.
