How to Inflate Road Bike Tires

Tires on a bike should be properly inflated to provide the bike with adequate traction and shock absorption. If the tires do not contain adequate air pressure it will decrease the performance of the bike and can also lead to the bike malfunctioning.

1. Find the valves on the tires of the bike. They will be on the inside of the rim and standing in an upright position. A road bike will either have a Presto valve or a Schrader valve. The Presto valve will have a threaded knob on the tip and the Schrader valve will not.


2. Use your hand to unscrew the cap on the valve if it is a Presto. If it is a Schrader valve you will need to just pull it off. 


3. Screw the end of the valve adapter on the Presto valve. You will not need to do this if it is a Schrader because you will not need to use an adapter.


4. Place the pump head on the valve and lock it in place.


5. Look on the sidewall of the tire to determine what the tire pressure should be. If you cannot find this information on the sidewall it may be printed on the side of the casing.


6. Use the pump to inflate the tire. You should not go over the recommended amount because it could cause damage to the tire.


7. Remove the head of the pump from the valve after you have properly inflated the tire.


8. Remove the adapter valve if you used one.


9. Replace the caps on the valves.