How to blow up a bike tire?

Riding a two-wheeled vehicle with deflated chambers is prohibited. Decreased agility, reduced speed, the risk of punctures and other damage – these and other negative consequences await riders who do not monitor the condition of the bike tires.

The question of how to pump up a bicycle wheel is relevant for many users. There are several effective ways to solve this problem. Useful tips from experts will help you measure bike tire pressure, choose the best indicators for a particular model.

An indispensable accessory for any cyclist is a bike pump.

Before pumping up the wheels of a bicycle, you need to carefully consider the numbers located on the sidewalls of the bike tires. Numbers can range from 35-60 PSI. Beginner riders do not attach importance to adjusting the pressure, however, while riding on over-inflated or under-inflated bike tires, there are pronounced uncomfortable sensations. The value in which the values ​​are reflected deserves attention:

1. BAR. Equal to 1 atmosphere, there are indicators in the range of 2.8-4.6 atm.
2. kPa. Calculated by multiplying BAR by 100, the allowable bike tire pressure is 280–460 kPa.
3. PSI. The value has become widespread in Western countries, where it is customary to denote pressure in pounds per inch. Acceptable values ​​are from 40 to 65 PSI.

All these quantities can be easily converted into each other, knowing their ratio:

1 BAR = 1 atmosphere = 100 kPa = 14.504 PSI

Having figured out how to properly use a bike pump, you need to clarify the allowable indicators. They may differ depending on the type of bike:

• Road bike. The norm is 8–10 atmospheres. It is permissible to use the maximum indicators if a trip is planned on a flat asphalt road.
• City bikes, mountain bikes. The right pressure varies between 2.2–4 atmospheres. Exceeding the norm is not recommended, as this can lead to serious damage to the rims when overcoming obstacles or hard braking.
• Fat bikes. The recommended pressure depends on the characteristics of the surface on which you plan to ski. 10 PSI for packed snow, 8 PSI for hard snow, 6 PSI or less for loose ground.

Pumping bicycle wheels with a hand or car pump must be done regularly. High-quality cameras from well-known manufacturers keep optimal pressure for 1-2 months. Mountain models are checked every 2-3 weeks, road models are checked every day. Following these simple guidelines will make your trips as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Types of bicycle pumps

Pumps can be divided into the following types:

• Floor or automobile;
• Manual or compact;
• Foot;
• Electrical.

The bike pump works thanks to the piston, which is put in action manually. Raise up – the piston draws air through the hole in the body, lower it down – the air moves into the bicycle chamber.

Floor pumps

Also known as automotive pumps. During operation, the user rests the base of this unit on the floor, steps on the base, pulls and pushes the handle to full speed. The connecting hose is screwed to the chamber through a one-way valve installed in the head or inside the auto pump.

It is very convenient to use such a product, since it has a fixed stop on the ground, and you can take hold of its handle with both hands. Convenient for the home, often have a built-in pressure gauge.

The case material is different, plastic and aluminum are popular. With such a pump, any wheel is most quickly pumped up. It is also relevant for pumping road wheels with high pressure. Adapters for different types of nipple are not a problem.

Compact hand pump for bicycle

You can already take such a bike pump with you on the road. Can be attached to the frame, thrown into a backpack or in the pocket of a cycling shirt. Firstly, they are divided into those that have a hose and those that have an integrated head.

A manual bike pump with an integrated head is more reliable. The nipple type can also be adjusted for presta valve/schrader valve.

Double acting pumps are the most efficient. Their piston is sealed on both sides of the cylinder and can force air into the bike tire in both strokes – forward and backward.

When choosing a compact pump, pay attention to the maximum pressure it can pump. This is true if your bike tires need 5 or more atmospheres.

Bicycle foot pump

These pumps are definitely not designed for a road bike. They don’t build up enough pressure to keep narrow road tires working properly. But they are good for wide bike tires, low pressure tires like mountain bikes.

Mostly designed more for cars, since they only have a head for schrader valves. Therefore, you will need a small brass adapter in order to use them on bike tubes with presta valves.

Electric pumps

12V air compressors designed for car tires are also compatible with bike tires.

The main advantage of electric pumps is that the latest models take up less space than hand or foot versions.

Other types of bike pumps

Gas station air pump

You can also pump a bike tire at a gas station air pump. In order not to pump over the tires, it is necessary to inflate in portions and follow the indicators on the pressure gauge. Ask the manager at the gas station for a pressure gauge, they usually have them freely available.

Air damper pumps

A separate type, not related to bike tire inflation, is a high-pressure pump. It directly relates to bicycle accessories, since it is the only one that can inflate the air shock absorber of the fork.

It is almost impossible to do this with a conventional pump, but you can only finally bleed the air from the shock absorber, and not achieve the desired pressure indicator.

CO2 cartridges

Modern gas cartridges are often used by mountain bike or road bike riders to keep weight low and save time when punctured during a race. It can be a disposable balloon or a pump with a replaceable cartridge. Most use standard 16 gram threaded carbon dioxide – CO2 cylinders.

Carbon dioxide flows through the rubber walls more rapidly than air. Although the CO2 molecules are large, they are poorly retained by the rubber, and after a few days an inflated bike tire can become completely flat tire.

What to look for when choosing a bike pump

Here is a short list of things to consider before buying:

1. The maximum level of pressure that the pump pumps.
2. Required working volume. A pump with a large chamber pumps faster, but is limited in pressure.
3. Precise manometer. In many models, built in gauge, but does not display real indicators.
4. Compatible with various nipples. Must support presta valve and schrader valve.
5. Pump size. If we are talking about a compact model, it should be convenient for you to transport it.
6. Pump weight. Also, important for the hand pump, which is always with you.
7. Build quality and material. The price of the final product also depends on this. The more expensive, the more reliable.
8. Maintainability of the pump. This applies to expensive floor models. Many manufacturers provide spare parts for their pumps.

How to blow up a bike tire?

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