It would seem that pumping the tires on your bike would be a simple task, but given the range of pump and valve options available, sometimes what seems simple gets complicated pretty quickly. Hopefully this how-to will help demystify the bike-tire pumping process.
Step 1
Identify your valve type. There are mainly two types of valve: Schrader and Presta. Schrader are like the valves on car tires (at least in North America), while Presta appear smaller and much thinner. Most importantly, Presta also have an additional small nut which gets unscrewed before pumping can proceed. Most new pumps come equipped to handle both.
Step 2
Locate an appropriate bike pump. I say "locate" rather than "buy" because maybe you have a gas station down the street that will do just fine. If not, you'll want to get a pump that makes sense for you. Many are the stand-up variety, where you stand on part while the handle goes up and down. Others are more compact--"mini" according to a number of companies' labels--which can be handy when you are not in the city.
Step 3
Remove the plastic valve cap from the valve, and keep in a safe place, such as your back pocket. If you lose your caps, the valves can get dirty, leading to pumping difficulties, and will lose air more quickly.
Step 4
At this point, if you have a Presta valve, you will need to unscrew the nut on the valve itself. It's a small bit that you should be able to turn just with your fingers. Unscrew this nut until you can't unscrew it any more. At this point it will be fairly high up on the valve, and the Presta valve is considered "open." (This additional annoyance of Presta valves is made up for by the fact that they retain air better, and are easier to pump when unscrewed.) Be sure to unscrew the nut! If you don't you might damage your pump.
Step 5
If your pump has a lever near the pump nozzle, ensure this is pressed down against the hose or pump -- this is the "unlocked" position and makes getting the nozzle on a bit easier.
Step 6
Attach pump nozzle to valve. If your pump has two holes to attach, make sure you put it in the correctly-sized one, or if you use a valve attachment, make sure it's the right one.
Step 7
Lock pump in place. If your pump has a lever near the pump nozzle, flip it up now so that it is sticking out. This lever is usually a piece of metal or plastic an inch or so long, and locks the pump to the valve, making sure that little air will escape (at least on good pumps).
Step 8
Commence pumping action. Periodically check the pressure as your tire is being inflated. Some newer bike pumps will have a gauge built in that tells you the pressure of your tire as you are pumping. Your tire might also indicate the recommended pressure it is to be filled to somewhere away from the treads, near the rim perhaps. Mountain bike tires should not be filled more than about 40psi, whereas a road bike can be highly pressurized quite safely.
Step 9
Check pressure -- if not yet full, return to previous step. If you're unsure about how much air should be put in or you don't have a pressure indicator on your pump, just fill the tires until they are firm, yet so you can still squeeze them ever so slightly.
Step 10
Once pumping is complete, remove nozzle. Press down the thumb/valve lock and quickly remove the nozzle from the valve before too much air escapes.
Step 11
Return the caps to your valves. Do not be alarmed if you have exchanged the valve cap from your front with the one from your back tire. Both should be interchangeable with one another. If they are not, you may want to reconsider biking altogether.
Step 12
Check your air pressure in a few days to make sure that your tires are still properly inflated. If they are not, you may want to replace your tires or inner tubes. (Please use the wiki how site to locate such an article.)
Tips
- If you cannot determine the type of your valve, take a photo of it. Bring it in with you when you are going to get your bike pump. Afterward you'll be able to print the picture to hang on your fridge, frame and put on your bedside table, or enlarge and put over your fireplace.
- 65 PSI (pounds per square inch) seems a reasonable amount of pressure to inflate your tires to, but check your own tires to make sure. If in doubt, or without a gauge, try pressing into the outside tread with the end of your thumb. Your tire will have enough pressure when the tire no longer gives more than a millimeter--or just when you think it looks really, really full. Come on, this is inflating tires, if you think it's done, you're probably right.
Warnings
- Keep newly inflated tires from sharp objects, and vice versa.
Things You'll Need
- A bike (yours or a friend's)
- Access to a bike pump
