Professional road bikes require regular maintenance and inspections to keep them running smoothly. An important part of safety, comfort and performance is having the right pressure in the tires. Properly inflated tires will help you ride smoother and faster, and help avoid flats. Because air is continually escaping from tires, check the air pressure before each ride. Make sure you have the proper pump, and never use the car tire pump at a gas station because it can cause your bike tires explode.
Instructions
Step 1
Know what kind of valve you have and purchase the right pump. Most professional road bikes have Presta valves, but double check yours to be certain. The Presta valve looks like a needle with a built-in tip that twists to inflate or deflate the tire. The Schrader valve looks more like a car's valve with a wider stem and a plastic cap on the tip. Many bike pumps can be used for either type of valve, but be sure the pump you have works for your valve.
Step 2
Check your tire's PSI. PSI stands for "pounds per square inch" and refers to how much air to put in the tire. Look at the sidewall of your tire for this number. Some tires give a range for the PSI, such as 100 to 120 PSI, while others give just the maximum PSI. For professional road bikes, inflate to the maximum PSI, but don't go over this because that can cause a blowout. Tires inflated below the recommended PSI are at risk for flats, rim damage and will cause you to ride slower.
Step 3
Loosen the top of the valve and check to be sure it is open. When you push down on the valve, you should hear air coming out. That means it is open properly and ready to pump. Attach the pump and make sure it fits securely with no air is seeping out.
Step 4
Begin to inflate the tire by slowly pushing down on the pump's handle. Do not pump too quickly or you risk damaging the pump. Most pumps have a built-in gauge that measures PSI. Inflate the tire until the gauge reaches the maximum PSI. Remove the pump from the tire and retighten the top of the valve.
Step 5
Check the tire. It should feel firm and solid. If you can squeeze the tire and it feels soft or underinflated, recheck the PSI with your pump's gauge. Monitoring the amount of air in your tires and keeping them properly inflated is important to maintaining the life and performance of your professional road bike.
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