A Guide On How To Pump A Bike Tire - 5 Easy Steps

Are you planning to go for a bike ride this weekend? Have you planned the route or destination to visit? Obviously, you would have planned the trip and shortlisted the items to take along. But have you thought of checking your bike tire pressure before going for a seamless journey?

Make sure to check before going, and no wonder the tire pressure may be low if you are going after a long time. Don't worry if you don't know how to pump a bike tire, we will teach you the procedure. It's an easy process and won't take much time unless you don't know how to do it.

In this blog, we will teach you how to inflate a bike tire with a pump in 5 easy steps. Just follow the steps, and then you are good to ride your bike wherever you want.

How to Pump a Bike Tire in 5 Steps?

There are 5 simple steps to inflate a bike tire with a pump. Every step contains instructions on how to inflate the bike tire. Whether it's your first time or a routine matter, this information is entirely useful for you.

Bikes usually come with Presta (French), Schrader (American), and Dunlop (English) tire valves, you must know how to deal with each one to save your time and energy while being on your journey. Usually, bikes come with Presta and Schrader valves because of their convenient inflating options for riders. So, it is most likely that you have to treat them mostly.

Step 1: Find the Recommended PSI

PSI stands for pounds per square inch, and it tells the air pressure your bike tire needs to run smoothly. You can find the recommended psi by looking at the side of your bike tire where it touches the rim. Tyre manufacturers have usually printed the air pressure to be maintained on the bike tires for riders to follow.

Psi is generally written as (90 to 115) on tires to ensure you get a comfortable journey. If you are unable to locate the recommended psi for your bike, then as a rule of thumb, you can inflate the tire until it gets stiff but slightly squeezable.

Step 2: Unscrew the Valve Cap

After finding the recommended psi on your bike tire, you can move toward the next step for pumping up your bike tire. Now unscrew the valve cap from the tire and place it aside to screw it up again after inflating the tire.

Valve caps are installed on bike tires to protect the air-inserting valve from dust or other particles, which can block the nozzle from letting air in. So, it is necessary to always keep your valve cap on your bike. After unscrewing the cap, you have to figure out which valve is attached to your bike tire: Presta, Schrader, or Dunlop.

Figuring out the type of valve is necessary to check whether your pump is the right fit for it or not. Tire inflating pumps usually support Presta or Schrader valves because of their mass availability in bike tires.

If you are using an e-bike, then you can consider Engwe's pumps as they are suitable for almost all e-bike models, avoiding troubles while riding.

Step 3: Attach the Pump

Now, you are on the brink of inflating your bike tires according to the recommended psi. Attach your pump to your bike or bicycle air valve and insert the air to pump it up. You just need to attach the hose pipe of your pump to the air valve and make sure to lock up the air pin after connecting it to the tire.

Remember to unscrew the locking nut on the valve stem to insert the air in case of Presta ones. Also, tap on the end of the valve to confirm that the air is escaping and check whether the inner tube is ready to reinflate. Clamp the pump firmly to the valve to make an air-tight connection.

Now, you can begin pumping the tire using your pump. Also, be careful to stay in alignment during all the pumping sessions to avoid damaging the valve (specifically, the Presta valve).

Step 4: Inflate the Tire

Now, you are ready to learn how to inflate a bike tire with a pump. If you are using a hand pump, you need to pump up and down to insert the air, or if you are using a foot pump, you have to press the piston back and forth with your foot to insert the air.

Also, keep an eye on the pressure gauge to obtain the required pressure reading. If you are planning to travel with your electric bike, then you should like the Engwe Mini Bike Air Pump, which is not only easy to carry but also makes it easy to inflate the tires.

Step 5: Detach and Check

After reaching the correct level of air pressure, swiftly disengage the pump and screw up the valve cap again. Do this carefully and quickly to minimise any loss of air pressure in the bike tire, and move on to the other tire, and repeat the same steps.

Now pump the other tire and return to the first tire to check the pressure again. If there is a drop in air pressure, you may have a slow puncture, such as a hole in the tube, a defective sealant, or a damaged rim base. This implies that the tyre needs to be repaired or replaced before riding the bike.

Ideal Pressure (PSI) For Bike Tire

There isn't a fixed pressure suited for all bike and bicycle tire types and situations. However, different manufacturers recommend ideal tire pressures for bike tires. For example, a mountain bike rider may need more tire pressure than a guy cycling on a road bike. Likewise, the recommended tire pressure for a folding bike may differ from other bikes.

The only thing to remember is that under-inflated bicycle tyres create more rolling resistance and, therefore, make cycling harder. They also create risks of punctures, material damage, or poor handling. On the other hand, overinflated bike tires can also cause problems.

The following are recommended ideal pressure ranges accepted based on bike type:

What Type Of Pump Do You Need?

It is crucial to figure out the type of pump most relevant to your bike or bicycle to inflate the tire. You must first find the pump required to learn how to pump a bike tire. We will help you understand the types of pumps and their compatibility with different bikes.

If you have an electric bike requiring psi up to 100, then you must go for our Engwe mini bike air pump. If you have a bicycle and you love to ride along the shores of the city or to nearby forests or mountain treks, then you must buy our Bicycle Pump for bicycle tires because of its portability.

Words in the End

Learning how to pump a bike tire is a relatively easy nut to crack. You just need to be willing to learn and have proper equipment, like the right pump for your bike. We have outlined 5 easy steps to learn how to pump up a bike tire without hustling too much.

Follow the steps mentioned above and inflate your bike tires yourself without getting help from anyone while being at home. So keep riding and improving your rides with Engwe bikes and accesories.

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