Properly inflated bicycle tires are necessary for a bike to ride well and keep the cyclist safe. Bike tires are easy to air up using a floor air pump in the garage or with a portable pump while out on the road. There are two types of valves used on bicycle tires. Presta valves have a small tip that releases air when pressed downward. Schrader valves have a twist-off cap and look similar to the valves on a car tire. Some air pumps work with only one type of valve, while others work with both.
Step 1
Turn the bicycle wheel so the valve is at the bottom.
Step 2
Check the sidewall of the tire for the PSI number. This number is the recommended pounds per square inch set by the tire manufacturer. It corresponds with the numbers on the tire pressure gauge.
Step 3
Open the valve on the tire. For a Presta valve, first turn the tip and press down briefly to make sure it is open. Simply remove the cap for a Schrader valve.
Step 4
Attach the air pump head to the valve. If there is a lever lock on the pump head, flip it up to attach it to the valve. For Presta valves, be sure to press the pump head down so it covers about half of the valve.
Step 5
Add air to the tire gradually by pressing the pump handle up and down. If the pump has a built-in air pressure gauge, monitor the pressure as you pump and stop once you reach the recommended PSI. If the pump does not have a built-in gauge, stop periodically and check the pressure with a hand-held tire gauge. If you accidentally go over the recommended PSI, slowly let out some air by pushing on the valve.
Step 6
Remove the pump once the tire is fully inflated. Tighten the top of a Presta valve, or replace the cap on a Schrader valve.
Step 7
Check the tire by squeezing it to make sure it feels firm. If the tire feels soft, recheck the air pressure and add more air if necessary.
Tips and Warnings
- Since the rear tire of a bicycle bears more weight than the front, some cyclists inflate the rear tire up to 10 percent higher than the front.
- Never use a car tire air compressor to inflate a bicycle tire. The air comes out so quickly it can cause a bike tire to explode in seconds.
Things You'll Need
- Tire pump
- Air pressure gauge
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