It’s a lovely day, the sun is shining, and you’re itching to get out on your bike, but you’ve got a flat tire. If you haven’t ridden your bike in a while, you likely have low tire pressure. You need bike air pump it’s a simple to use.
How Bike Air Pump Works?
We’ll demonstrate (step-by-step) how to inflate a bicycle tire with two types of cycle air pumps: a floor bike air pump and a hand bike air pump.
You’ve got this, no matter how mechanically challenged you are!
Check to see if your bike tire has a Presta or Schrader valve.
Take time to examine your tire before you even think of pulling out the pump.
There are two types of valves on bicycle tires (or rather, inner tubes). There are two types of valves: Presta and Schrader. You need to figure out what sort of Valve you have in your cycle.
But, if valve like it’s made of plastic. That’s because a plastic dust cap protects your Valve. Unscrew it to remove it.
What difference does it make? What type of Valve you have? Because various valves necessitate a variety of pump nozzles. The majority of current pumps (both floor and hand pumps) contain both, but you must use the proper one.
Other pumps will only work with Schrader valves, so you’ll need to buy an adaptor if you want to use a Presta valve (if your tires are Presta).
Determine Your Tires’ Appropriate Tire Pressure
The following step, before you start pumping, is to determine the proper tire pressure.
The air pressure in bicycle tires (and automobile tires) is measured in pounds per square inch or PSI. You want a lot of pressure so you can roll quickly, but not so much that the ride is unpleasant. Furthermore, if you overinflate your tires, you risk blowing the tire off the rim. (Don’t worry—this is a difficult task.)
Check the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure on the sidewall of your tire. If your tire doesn’t have this (which most do), follow these basic guidelines:
For road bike tire pressure should be between 80 and 130 psi.
Tire pressure on a cruiser bike or hybrid: 40-70 psi
Tire air pressure for mountain bikes is 25-35 psi.
Stick to the lower end of the psi range if you’re a light rider; if you’re heavy, go higher.
How to Use a Floor Bike Air Pump
Step 1:
You should remove your Valve’s dust cap.
The top of your Valve is most likely covered with a plastic cap. Remove it by unscrewing and unscrewing it. Remember: loose on the left, tight on the right.
Place it somewhere secure so that you can replace it later.
Step 2:
Open the Presta Valve if you have one (Otherwise, Skip)
Do you own a Schraeder valve? You can skip this step. However, if you have a Presta valve, you will need to open it to let air in.
Unscrew it a few times. Lefty is loose, and righty is tight. It may be tough to remove your bike’s dust cap if it has been sitting unused for a long time or if it is missing. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to release it in this situation.
Unscrew the Valve many times to release it.
Once the Valve is loose, push down on the top for a brief moment to release it.
Step 3
Place the Pump Nozzle on the Valve.
The majority of floor pumps will have two nozzle holes, one for a Schraeder valve and a Presta valve. The large hole is for a Schraeder, whereas the little hole is for a Presta.
Press the proper nozzle hole into the Valve until it is securely attached. While you’re doing this, a small amount of air may escape from the tire. That’s OK.
Step 4
Raise the Pump Lever to a 90-degree angle.
You’ll find a lever on most air pumps that you’ll need to engage. Pull up on the lever until it’s fully rotated 90 degrees.
Pull the lever up once the nozzle is on the Valve.
It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t the case with every pump. A lever will be present on certain professional pumps that you must push in. The great majority of commercial pumps, however, are built to be pushed upon.
5th Step
Pump Until the Appropriate Air Pressure Is Attained
Place both feet on the pump’s base and use both arms to lift the pump up and then down. Continue pumping until the air gauge indicates that your tire pressure is at the proper level.
Step 6
Remove the Pump Lever from the Valve by pushing it down.
Pull the nozzle from your Valve by pushing the pump lever back down (90 degrees). Again, it’s fine if a little air escapes.
Step 7
Close the Valve (if it’s a Presta valve) and replace the dust cap.
If you have a Presta valve, be careful to tighten it again.
Also, if you took off a dust cap at the start, replace it.
You’ve completed the task!
A Guide to Using a Hand Bike Air Pump
A hand pump is more difficult to use for two reasons: 1) Each hand pump is unique, and 2) reaching your target tire pressure takes a lot more pumping.
Step1:
Remove the dust cap from your Valve
If your Valve has a plastic dust cap, remove it first. Screw it to the left to loosen it, then store it somewhere secure so you may replace it later.
Step 2:
Open the Presta Valve if you have one (Otherwise, Skip)
If your tire has a Presta valve, you must first open it before adding air. Turn the Valve to the left several times to unscrew the top. It’s important to note that nothing falls off; it simply loosens.
Then, for a split second, press down on the Valve. You should hear a brief burst of air. This indicates that the Valve has been opened and is ready to be pumped.
Step 3
Place the Pump Nozzle on the Valve i.
Most hand pumps will have two nozzle holes, one for a Schraeder valve and one for a Presta valve, similar to a floor pump. Schraeder is the larger of the two, while Presta is the smaller.
A nozzle on the end of a hose is found on other hand pumps, such as the Lezyne HV Drive. The hose has two sides, one for Schraeder and the other for Presta.
One side of this hand pump has a Schrader nozzle, while the other has a Presta nozzle.
Regardless of the hand pump you have, attempt to figure out which nozzle to use first.
Then either press or screw the nozzle onto the Valve (again, this varies depending on the hand pump model). It’s fine if some air escapes throughout the procedure.
Step 4
Pump Until the Appropriate Air Pressure Is Attained
Hold the nozzle firmly on the Valve with one hand while pumping with the other. Because hand pumps have limited volume, it will take many pumps to inflate your tire fully. When you’re tired, take a break.
Some hand pumps, but not all, include a button that allows you to go from “high volume” to “high pressure.” It would help if you started pumping in high volume mode and transition to high-pressure mode whenever pumping becomes too difficult.
A pressure gauge is seen on many hand pumps. Continue pumping until your tire pressure reaches the required level.
If your pump doesn’t have a pressure gauge, you’ll have to physically feel your tire to see if it’s inflated sufficiently. Squeeze all sides of your tire with both hands. It should have a solid, not mushy, feel to it.
Step 5
Remove the pump nozzle from the Valve.
Remove the nozzle by unscrewing or pulling it. If you hear a little burst of air, don’t be alarmed.
Step 6
Replace the Dust Cap and screw the Valve Closed (if Presta).
If you have a Presta valve, make sure you securely close it by screwing it down.
Also, if you have a plastic dust cap, check sure it is well fastened.
You’ve completed the task!
ALSO READ: Natural Sources of Vitamin b12