How to Clamp Down on the Head of a Foot Pump

Foot pumps for bicycle tires often have two different head settings to accommodate the two available inner tube styles, Schrader and Presta. Leg muscles get put to use instead of arm and hands when using these pumps, making it faster as the leg muscles are among the largest and strongest muscles in the body. Keeping the head on the inner tube fixture seems like a challenge at times unless you know the keys to getting an airtight seal while clamping down.

Instructions

  1. Schrader Valve Head

    • 1

      Inspect the head of the foot pump to find the larger diameter opening. Most dual head pumps have a fixture on either side of the head. Schrader heads are the larger of the two.

    • 2

      Remove the valve cap on the bicycle inner tube. Open the lock latch on the head of the foot pump. This is often a silver metal or black lever running across the top of the head. Push it up so it is perpendicular to the head itself.

    • 3

      Push the Schrader head onto the Schrader inner tube valve. Push down as hard as possible until you hear a slight air pressure release noise from the tube.

    • 4

      Push the lever closed. Push it down over the head, locking and clamping the Schrader head onto the tube.

    Presta Valves

    • 5

      Remove the valve cap on the inner tube. Grip the tip of the Presta valve, a narrow diameter metal tube coming out of the inner tube. Turn the tip counterclockwise to unscrew. Pull it up out of the valve and let it stay loose in the valve.

    • 6

      Open the head lock lever by pushing it up, perpendicular to the pump head.

    • 7

      Push the narrow diameter opening of the head onto the Presta valve on the inner tube. Push the lock lever closed. This clamps and secures the head to the valve and inner tube.