Inflating a tyre correctly
Pumping up bicycle tyres isn't that difficult, right? Pump on, pump it, done. While generally simple, there are a few things to consider. The most important thing is the type of valve. There are three different types of bike valves. As well as different designations for each valve:
Valve types and their synonyms:
- Schrader valve: Presta valve, car valve
- Dunlop valve: DV valve, lightning valve, normal valve
- Presta valve: SV valve, Sclaverand valve, road valve, French valve
How do I pump up the different valves?
Adjust the pump
Was mentioned above, there are three different valve types. A Presta valve and the Dunlop valve can be inflated with the same valve head. A Schrader valve requires a different valve head or another pump.
Our CONTEC "Mini-pump Air Support" includes attachments for all valves. To do this, you have to screw on the valve head and turn it and the associated seal.
Special feature of the Presta valve
The Schrader and Dunlop valves are easy to inflate. Fit the correct valve head and pump it up. Presta valves, however, are a little special. Before you attach the valve head on the Presta valve, you first need to unscrew the valve. You have to be careful that you only open the valve and do not remove the entire valve core.
What happens if there is too little air?
If there is too little air in the tyre, it is very likely that something will work itself into the tyre carcass. In addition, the probability of a puncture increases, in which the tube in the tyre is crushed between the rim and an edge (e.g. curb, pothole) and holes develop (also called a snakebite). Then the tube is popped and must be patched or replaced before the tyre will hold air again.
Another problem with too little air pressure in the bike tyre is that the tyre beads spring out of the rim edges more quickly. This is also due to the lack of counter pressure. If the tyre is not pushed into the rim edge by the air pressure, it will slide out. This is often the case when taking a corner. Worst case scenario, the tyre slips completely off the rim, and a crash follows.
In addition to the above mentioned points, tyre wear increases dramatically. Due to the low pressure, the tyre is more compressed. This results in more of the tyre touching the ground under load. In addition, the wear of the tyre's carcass increases. For these reasons, you should always look at the air pressure specifications for the minimum tyre pressure.
The right air pressure
The amount of air you need is indicated on your tyre in bar and/or psi. A pressure gauge on your pump shows you the current air pressure in the tyre as you inflate. There are even mini-pumps with pressure gauges that you can take on a tour. This includes our "CT Air Support Pocket Pro Gauge". It has the pressure gauge in the hose.
Find the right air pressure without a pressure gauge
You want to pump on the go, but don't know how much, because you don't have a pump with a pressure gauge? Two tips will help you get close:
- Sit on the saddle with all your weight. Your bike should stay firm. If the rear tyre becomes deforms or if the rim hits the ground, you should pump some air. The profile of the tyre should be roughly 80% on the ground under your weight, if there’s more, you will see a marked deformation of the tyre.
- Many people squeeze the tyre from above to control the air pressure. The thick tread, often with strong puncture protection on trekking and city bikes, makes the tyre appear more robust with this type of check because you feel the resistance of the rubber layer. If you squeeze the tyre sideways, you'll have a better feel about how full the tyre is and whether you need to pump it.
Pump up bicycle tyres at a gas station
Despite tyres with very thick anti-puncture layers and sealant, a flat is always a possibility. If you don't have a mini-pump or a bike shop isn’t nearby, gas stations are a good way to pump up your bike. In fact, you can re-inflate your tyre with any valve at the gas station. Of course, you can connect Schrader-, i.e. car valves to the air station without an adapter. For Dunlop and Presta valves you need a valve adapter. The adapters are very small and very easy to store. It never hurts to have an adapter attached to your bike or in your kit. In the event of a flat, it can be very practical.
Tubeless valves
Tubeless valves are special valves and are usually available as a Presta valve or Schrader valve. Unlike bicycle tubes, where the valve is connected, tubeless valves consist of the valve and seal only. Tubeless has been standard for car tyres for decades. To mount tubeless, the valve is inserted into the rim hole. In combination with tubeless rim tape and a tyre, an air-tight chamber is created. The tyre can therefore be ridden without a tube. For additional sealing, the tyres are filled with a tubeless sealant, which directly seals small holes or leaks.
Convert to tubeless
Your tube is constantly popping and you have to keep patching it? How about tubeless tyres. We'll show you how to upgrade your tyres.
What happens when there is too much air?
Too much air in a bicycle tyre can also lead to frightening moments. Therefore, the maximum pressure specification of the tyres must also be observed. If the internal pressure is too high, the air can push the tyre off the rim or the tube can burst.
The rim can also be blown if the pressure is too high. However, this only happens in extreme cases and is due to a damage on the rim as well.