How to use an air pump for inflating bicycle wheels?

This seemingly simple procedure requires experience and knowledge of some important points. For example: the most convenient way to inflate a tire, what pressure should be and under what conditions, which pump to use and what the consequences of incorrect inflation may be.

Here are the unpleasant things that can happen when tires are incorrectly inflated:

If the tires are inflated:

• very rough ride
• increased probability of penetration
• extreme reduction of the contact patch will worsen traction
• risk of rupture of the camera and tire

If the tires are soft:

• deterioration of roll and dynamics
• excessive expenditure of energy on pedaling
• punctures, the risk of “snake bite” (puncture of the camera when hitting the rim)
• deterioration of controllability
• rim damage

The average minimum indicator for bicycles is 2 atmospheres. For driving on roads, the recommended value is within 3.5 atm. For off-road riding – 2.6 – 2.8 atm.

How to use hand pump?

The easiest way is to inflate the bicycle wheels with a hand pump. The whole process consists of several stages:

• the wheel is installed so that the nipple is located at the bottom;
• the protective cap is carefully removed, air is released from the bicycle chamber;
• the hose of the device is inserted into the spool, the valve is turned out;
• the pipe is installed vertically, air is gently pumped in due to the movement of the rod.

How to use car pump?

Most modern models of two-wheeled vehicles are equipped with an automobile nipple (Schroeder). Such tires can be pumped up at any gas station. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

1. Remove the cap from the nipple, connect the pump hose;
2. if the wheels are inflated with a universal compressor, you need to fix the jumper outward with the large end;
3. close the front cover, connect the device;
4. In the process of inflation, you should carefully monitor the level of pressure in the tires.

How to use gas station air pumps?

1. Install a special adapter cap on the output end of the tire.
2. Connect the compressor with the “car” output.
3. If the duck is universal, expose the jumper to the outside with the thin end.
4. Pump in small series, gradually reaching the required pressure.

In this case, it is very important to know exactly how many atmospheres it is necessary to run air into the chambers. When the pressure increases, it can burst quickly.

How often should you check your bicycle tire pressure?

How often to inflate bicycle wheels is an individual matter and depends on the type of bicycle, its age, riding style, and the surfaces on which it is used. If the bicycle is new, mountain, routes within the city limits, on decent asphalt, without extreme elements, the pressure can be checked no more than once a month.

On average, the recommendations are as follows – for a mountain bike it will not be superfluous to check the pressure once every couple of weeks, for a road rider it is better to do it every day. In case of a puncture, the low pressure can be observed visually, and it will be quite difficult to ride such a bike.

With the experience of riding comes the feeling of the bike, and it will be clear almost immediately to what extent the pressure in the bicycle tires corresponds to the norm. Low pressure is characterized, firstly, by a too soft ride, unevenness is well swallowed and when driving, even on not very good roads, bumps are practically not felt, while significantly more effort is spent on maintaining speed.

Meanwhile, cyclists feel the lack or excess of pressure much more acutely. When the wheel is not inflated to the required value, you have to exert more effort when moving – the area of ​​contact of the tire with the surface increases. If the tire is inflated too much, this is also not good, as it can lead to a defect in the tube or its explosion.

Tire pressure is checked with a manometer. Usually, the pressure that is recommended for your bike or tires is indicated in the data sheet of the two-wheeled vehicle, or directly on the side of the tire itself (more often indicated in bars – bar, or pounds per square inch – PSI).

What pressure should be used to inflate bicycle wheels?

The maximum and minimum allowable pressure values are indicated on all of them. Two units of measurement are used – atmospheric pressure, measured in Bar (BAR) and pounds-force per square inch (PSI). Pressure gauges usually show the pressure in Bars, if the tire pressure is indicated only in pounds-force, you can convert them to Bars – 1 Bar ≈ 15 PSI.