How to Put Air in My Road Bike Tires

Proper tire inflation is critical to fun and safe road bike riding. Low tire pressure puts more surface area in contact with the road, forcing you to pedal harder. Low pressure reduces the tire's ability to absorb impacts, leading to a rougher ride and the greater likelihood of a pinch flat. Sidewall wear also increases as tire pressure drops, boosting the chance of a catastrophic blowout. Thankfully, adding air to road bike tires is a quick and easy process you can perform at the start of every ride.

Things You'll Need

  • Bicycle tire pump (with Presta valve attachment)
  • Tire pressure gauge
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the valve cap. Unscrew the black rubber cap that sits at the end of the tube's valve stem.

    • 2

      Unscrew the valve and attach the pump head lever. The vast majority of road bikes tire tubes have valves known as Presta valves. They are narrower and designed to hold greater amounts of pressure than Schrader valves, the type most commonly seen on mountain bikes. To pump air into a tube with a Presta valve, gently twist the valve to the left a few times to unscrew it. Next, give a slight tap to the end of the valve to break the seal inside. Finally, with the valve stem positioned as close to the ground as possible, attach the head of your tire pump to the valve. Make sure the pump head lever points down, not straight out.

    • 3

      Pump air into the tire tube. With the pump head securely fastened to the valve, lock the pump in place by flipping the lever so that it points straight out. You should feel the pump head grab the valve slightly. Once this happens, begin pumping air into the tire tube. The air flows into the tire easily at first, but you will have to pump with more effort as the pressure builds. Continue pumping until the tire pressure meets or slightly exceeds the limit posted on the sidewall of your tire.

    • 4

      Remove the pump head. Flip the pump head lever to release it from the valve, then remove the head gently to avoid breaking off the fragile end of the Presta valve. Some air will escape during this step. The release of air is normal; it is the reason you pumped slightly more air than necessary into your tube in the previous step.

    • 5

      Screw the valve closed and reattach the valve cap. Tighten the Presta valve with a few gentle turns to the right, making sure not to overtighten it. Replace the rubber cap you removed in Step 1 to keep the valve clear of dirt and road debris.