How Do I Inflate My Road Bike Tires?

Riding a road bike is a good and often enjoyable exercise accessible to nearly everyone. A key component of safely riding a bicycle is having properly inflated tires. When tires are properly inflated, it will allow a smoother ride and provide better protection against flats. Inflating a road tire is a simple task that can be completed in a short amount of time and will decrease the chance of injury on your ride.

Step 1

Find the correct tire pressure on the side of wheel. It will be measured in pounds per square inch (psi). The typical inflation range is 90 to 130psi for a road bike tire.

Step 2

Locate the tire valve, which will be sticking out of the rim about an inch and a half high. Remove cap if there is one. Unscrew the knob to the top of the valve.

Step 3

Place the pump's presta valve opening on the tire valve. (It will be the smaller hole.) Make sure the pump's lever is in the down position. Press about a third of the way down and lift the pump's lever up to lock the pump on the valve.

Step 4

Start pumping while constantly monitoring the pump's air gauge--if equipped--as to not over inflate the tire. If the pump does not have an air gauge, then use a separate air gauge to monitor the psi.

Step 5

Check the air gauge to ensure the tire has the correct air pressure. If the pressure is correct, flip the pump lever down and remove the pump. Screw the knob back to the original position and replace the cap if equipped.

Tips and Warnings

Inflate your tires before every ride. If you over-inflate your tires, remove the pump and press on the valve to release air. Weather conditions can affect the amount of tire pressure used. If the roads are wet or snow-covered, run a lower tire pressure. You can run a lower tire pressure in the front wheel to provide a softer ride as the rear tire supports most of the weight.