How to Pump a Schrader Valve

While returning from a nice ride in the park, you notice that your bicycle seems a bit sluggish. Before heading out on your next excursion, you should inflate your tubes to the recommended PSI. Tubes arrive with either a schrader or presta valve. Presta types are long, slender valves secured by a rotating nut at the top. The schrader type is a short, wide valve which is closed with a thread-on plastic cap. Schrader valves are simple to inflate with an average bicycle pump.

Things You'll Need

  • Bicycle pump
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the protruding valve on the inside of your bicycle's rim. Turn the tire so you can access the valve with your hands. Unscrew the threaded cap on the top of the valve.

    • 2

      Fit the head of the bicycle pump's hose over the valve and apply firm pressure. Lift the locking tab on the side of the head to open the valve.

    • 3

      Refer to the recommended PSI printed on the sidewall of your bicycle tire. Inflate the tire until the pump's meter indicates this PSI has been reached.

    • 4

      Close the locking tab on the hose's head to close the valve. Lift the head away from the top of the valve as you do this to prevent air leakage.

    • 5

      Thread the plastic cap over the top of the valve. Repeat the previous steps for your other tire if necessary.