{"id":50874,"date":"2023-06-27T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-27T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=302201"},"modified":"2023-06-27T18:35:43","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T16:35:43","slug":"how-to-pump-up-a-bike-tyre-in-five-simple-steps-plus-everything-you-need-to-know-about-pumps-valves-pressure-and-more","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/how-to-pump-up-a-bike-tyre-in-five-simple-steps-plus-everything-you-need-to-know-about-pumps-valves-pressure-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"How to pump up a bike tyre in five simple steps | Plus, everything you need to know about pumps, valves, pressure and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

The ins and outs of getting your tyres pumped and primed <\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 27 June 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Being able to pump up your bike\u2019s tyres is an essential skill for any cyclist.<\/p>\n

If your tyres are insufficiently inflated, they\u2019ll feel sluggish to ride, lack grip on the road or trail and you also run the risk of a puncture<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll run you through a step-by-step guide on how to pump your tyres, the different valve types, pump options and the rough pressure you should inflate your tyres to.<\/p>\n

How to pump up a bike tyre<\/h2>\n

1. Find the right pump<\/h3>\n
\""Inflating\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
This pump works with both Presta and Schrader valves.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Ascertain what valve you have and make sure you have a compatible pump. Most pumps will work with a Schrader or Presta valve and many work with both.<\/p>\n

If the valve has a plastic dust cap, the first step is to remove it. Don\u2019t worry if your valve doesn\u2019t have one \u2013 they are simply cosmetic.<\/p>\n

2. Prepare the valve<\/h3>\n
\""Inflating\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
It\u2019s easy to bend a Presta valve core, so take care.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re working with a Schrader valve, you can move onto the next step.<\/p>\n

Once the dust cap is removed from a Presta valve, it will reveal another threaded lockring. This needs to be unscrewed before you can inflate or deflate your tyre.<\/p>\n

Gently unscrew the thread.<\/p>\n

3. Attach the pump to the valve<\/h3>\n
\""Inflating\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
We need to flick the lever to lock it in place on the valve.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Attach the head of your pump to the open valve.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re attaching the pump head to a Presta valve, take care not to push too tight because they are more delicate.<\/p>\n

Pump heads can differ in design. On some, you may need to flick a lever to lock the pump in position, whereas others simply lock into place by pushing the head firmly onto the valve.<\/p>\n

If your tyre is completely flat, you may find it\u2019s initially difficult to fit the head because the valve has a tendency to push back on the rim. If that happens, hold the valve from behind by pushing on the outside of the tyre so you can lock the head on properly.<\/p>\n

Once the pump head is locked to the valve, the connection should be airtight. If you hear a little air escaping when attaching the pump, that\u2019s normal.<\/p>\n

4. Pump the tyre<\/h3>\n
\""Inflating\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
It\u2019s now time to inflate the tyre.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Inflate the tyre to the desired pressure. Make sure you use the full stroke of the pump and use your body weight as well as your arms on the downstroke if using a track pump because it will be much easier and quicker to inflate the tyre.<\/p>\n

If the tyre won\u2019t inflate, check the head is attached correctly.<\/p>\n

If the tyre still isn\u2019t inflating, no matter how much air you pump into it, or if it quickly loses air, the inner tube inside may be punctured.<\/p>\n

5. Disengage<\/h3>\n
\""Inflating\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Don\u2019t worry if you hear a slight hiss when you remove the pump.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Remove the pump head from the valve.<\/p>\n

If the pump head has a locking mechanism, you\u2019ll first need to flick the lever back to the open position and then remove the pump quickly. You may hear a hissing noise, but don\u2019t worry \u2013 this is just the pressured air escaping from the pump rather than the valve.<\/p>\n

6. Close the valve<\/h3>\n
\""Inflating\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Close the valve and reattach the dust cap, if applicable.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

On a Presta valve, screw the threaded cap clockwise and then reinstall the dust cap. On a Schrader valve, you only need to replace the dust cap.<\/p>\n

What valve does my bicycle have?<\/h2>\n
\""Presta\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Presta (top) and Schrader are the two main types of valve.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Before pumping up your tyre, you\u2019ll need to establish what valves your bike has.<\/p>\n

If your pump isn\u2019t compatible with your valve, you can buy an adaptor that threads onto the head.<\/p>\n

For a deeper dive into the different valve types, check out our Presta vs Schrader guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Presta valve<\/h3>\n
\""Presta\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Presta valves are found on the majority of bikes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A Presta valve is bicycle-specific and found on the vast majority of bikes over \u00a3500\/$500<\/a>. It\u2019s much thinner than a Schrader valve and it\u2019s secured with a nut that holds the valve closed, so air doesn\u2019t escape. Some feature a removable valve core, which can be useful for setting up tubeless tyres.<\/p>\n

Schrader valve<\/h3>\n
\""Schrader\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Schrader valves are less common, but are still found on some entry-level bikes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Schrader valves were commonplace on bicycles before the Presta standard largely usurped them. However, they are still often found on older bikes and many cheaper bikes under \u00a3500\/$500. The same valves are found on car tyres.<\/p>\n

Dunlop\/Woods valve<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\""Dunlop\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Dunlop\/Woods valves are rare but still around.<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Woods valve (originally known as Dunlop) is common on Dutch-style bikes but rarely found on production bikes anymore. It uses the same valve core as a Presta valve, with a locking nut keeping it in place to avoid the tube deflating.<\/p>\n

Tubeless valve<\/h3>\n
\""The\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Tubeless valves come in all shapes and sizes.<\/span><\/figcaption> David Rome \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Valves for tubeless setups<\/a> are attached directly to the rim via a threaded locknut, rather than being a part of an inner tube. Although Schrader examples exist, they are almost always Presta.<\/p>\n

What pressure (psi) should my bike tyres be?<\/h2>\n
\""Silca\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A pressure gauge on a track pump is a must-have.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tom Marvin \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The correct tyre pressure will make a transformatory difference to your ride.<\/p>\n

Rock-hard tyres aren\u2019t really good for anything and will transfer vibrations from the road or trail to your hands.<\/p>\n

This results in decreased comfort and wasted energy because the tyre cannot deform when you hit a rock, root or road imperfection.<\/p>\n

If the pressure is too low, it will take more effort to maintain your chosen speed and the tyres will squirm under you as you ride. You also risk pinch-flatting the tyre.<\/p>\n

As a general rule, your tyre should be solid enough to prevent it deflecting all the way to the rim, though compliant enough to provide some suspension. After all, the beauty of a pneumatic tyre is you don\u2019t have to have a bone-jarringly hard ride.<\/p>\n

\""Vittoria\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Minimum and maximum pressures will be printed somewhere on the tyre sidewall.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Most tyres will have minimum and maximum pressure ratings printed on the tyre\u2019s sidewall. It\u2019s advisable not to go under or over those limits because manufacturers have specified them for a reason.<\/p>\n

Optimising your tyre pressures more minutely can be a process of trial and error, but it\u2019s one we\u2019d recommend because it\u2019s a free upgrade and will make a huge difference to your ride.<\/p>\n

We have specific guides on how to optimise your road<\/a>, gravel<\/a> and mountain bike tyre pressure<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What type of pump do I need?<\/h2>\n

You should ideally own two bike pumps<\/a> \u2013 a track pump for home use because it\u2019s efficient, quick and easy to use and a secondary mini-pump in case you need to pump your tyre when you are out on a ride.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re buying a pump, it\u2019s important to check if it will work with the type of valve your bike has, or ideally, if it works with both Presta and Schrader valves.<\/p>\n

Track pump<\/h3>\n
\""Topeak\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A track pump is a home essential.<\/span><\/figcaption> Julia Broussier \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A track pump (also known as a floor pump) offers a long flexible hose, a large camber for a quick air transfer and a base to put your weight on. Most, if not all, feature a pressure gauge so you can inflate your tyre to the correct pressure.<\/p>\n