It’s happened to all of us. You’re out on a ride, and suddenly your bike tire goes flat. What do you do? If you don’t know how to pump a bike tire, you’re in for a long walk home! In this guide, we will show you how to pump up your bike tires like a pro. So whether you’re a beginner cyclist or an experienced rider, read on for tips on how to fix that flat fast!
Contents
Tools Needed
The first step is to make sure you have the right tools.
You’ll need a pump, which can be anything from an old-fashioned hand pump to more modern options such as CO_ powered pumps that run off of compressed air cylinders (these are expensive but worth it if you plan on doing lots of road biking).
A frame bag for carrying essentials like puncture repair kits will also come in handy later down the line when those flats inevitably happen again!
If you don’t want to spend any money at all then just use your mouth and blow into the valve until it inflates—just make sure not to swallow too much air!
Steps To Pump A Bike Tire
Next up we’re going to show how easy this job really is by using our simple instructions below:
Step One: Remove the wheel and tire from your bike.
This is where having a frame bag will come in handy as there are lots of small parts that need to be taken out including nuts, bolts etc…
Once this has been done carefully place them somewhere safe so they don’t get lost while working on fixing your flat tire!
Step Two: After removing all necessary pieces it’s time for some elbow grease (or mouth power)!
Use either method mentioned above depending on what pump you have available before checking pressure using an air gauge; if needed adjust accordingly until reaching the desired level then put everything back together again by reversing previous steps.
Make sure not to forget any little bits like those pesky axel caps which can sometimes fall off during removal or putting in new tires if they are not tight enough.
Step Three: Once you’ve pumped up your tire, put it back on the bike and go for a ride!
If all goes well then congratulations—you just fixed your flat tire with no problems at all.
However, sometimes this doesn’t always happen so read through these tips again before attempting another repair session next time round because practice makes perfect when learning how to pump up tires like a pro cyclist would do!
Remember that having fun while doing something is more important than getting things done perfectly!
Types of bike pumps
Frame pump
These are the most common type of bike pumps. They have a lever that you put on your frame and then use to inflate tires by pumping air through it.
A good example of this would be a Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HV with ABS Flex hose which costs around $80 or £60.
This particular model comes with features like a pressure gauge so there’s no guessing how much air has been pumped into tires yet still needs manual control over speed when pumping up so don’t expect any quick fixes here unless someone is willing to help out!
Mini pump
These are smaller than a frame pump but still able to fit in your pocket.
They usually have a lever that you place on top of the tire valve before pumping air into it using small amounts at a time until fully inflated.
The drawback with these is they take longer and can’t produce as much pressure so if you’re looking for something fast then this isn’t going to do anything for you except maybe provide some entertainment while waiting around!
However, mini pumps are best used during emergencies where there’s no other option available such as when travelling abroad or being stuck out somewhere remote without access to facilities like petrol stations etcetera; so perhaps even carrying just one could prove invaluable later down the line should trouble arise unexpectedly.
At any rate, they’re worth considering if you need something really lightweight that won’t take too much space either since there’s only one lever on top which means fewer hands needed when pumping up tires manually.
CO_gas
These are the most expensive type of bike pumps but also have several advantages over other options in terms of ease of use and convenience.
They rely heavily on CO_gas cartridges for their operation so you can expect them to be very quick at inflating tires; however, it does mean having to carry around extra weight as well as spending money replacing empty cartridges once used up so think about whether this is something worth investing your time/money into before committing yourself further down line!
How To Choose The Right Bike Pump
Now that you know all there is to know about the different types of bike pumps on offer, how do you decide which one is right for you?
Here are a few factors worth considering before making your purchase:
Type of cyclist
If you’re someone who likes mountain biking or cycling long distances then you’ll need something that can generate more pressure than what mini pumps can provide. A frame pump would be the best option in this case as it can reach up to 160 psi!
Frequency of use
How often do you plan on using the pump and does it need to be easily portable so you can take it with you wherever you go? If not, then a CO_gas pump might be more suitable.
Budget
This is always a key consideration when it comes to any purchase, no matter what it may be. Frame pumps are generally more expensive than mini pumps but the former tend to be more durable and last longer in terms of use.
Tips For Maintaining Your Bike Pump
As with all things in life, bike pumps require some maintenance to ensure they stay in tip-top condition. Here are a few tips on how you can keep yours working like new:
Make sure it’s clean before use by wiping off any dirt or dust that may have accumulated after each ride; this will prevent any clogging from occurring which could lead to damage over time!
If there is an air filter present then replace it once every two years as this will help maintain the pressure within your pump for longer periods of time – just make sure not too often otherwise there won’t be enough compressed gas left inside when needed most urgently!
Keep an eye out for leaks around seals and valves so that no moisture gets where it shouldn’t and causes corrosion over time.
If you’re using a CO_gas pump, don’t forget to tighten the cartridge securely after each use and keep it in a dry place – otherwise, you’ll be looking for a new one sooner than expected!
And that’s it – just follow these simple tips and your bike pump should last you many happy years of cycling!