Q&A for How to Inflate Bike Tires

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Question

How do I know when I have pumped enough air into the tire?

Community Answer

The tire should feel firm - you shouldn't be able to pinch the sidewalls of the tire together very much. On a mountain bike tire, you should be able to push in by about a centimeter or so. Check the sidewall of the tire to find the minimum and maximum pressure values and use the gauge to get the pressure between these values.

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Question

How do you pump up a tire on the road?

Community Answer

Don't. You will be hit by a car. Pull to the side of the road and then follow the steps shown here. You don't need to know the exact pressure recommended for your tires. Just press down on the tire with your finger and pump until it feels firm, but with a little give left in it.

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Question

What happens if I pump my tire up too much?

Community Answer

Should you pump the inner tube up too much, it will likely explode inside the tire. Check the sidewall of the tire to find the minimum and maximum pressure it can handle.

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Question

What should I use to seal the rim to the tire?

Community Answer

There is no need to use anything to seal the tyre to the rim with a clincher setup (one where you have a separate inner tube). With a tubeless setup, the tyre is fixed to the rim.

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Question

Why do my tires go down after pumping them up?

Paul S

Community Answer

Assuming the tubes are not old, there is possibly a small hole in the tube, and possibly something in the tire itself made the pinhole. Older tubes, especially cheap ones, are porous and don't retain pressure well after several months.

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Question

Is there a way to get it out if I pressed the Schrader valve into the tire ring by accident?

Paul S

Community Answer

You'd have to unseat one bead of the tire and work the tube around slowly to slide it to the hole with the wheel off the bike.

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Question

What is the tire valve for a Mate bike?

Paul S

Community Answer

Pretty sure it has Schrader valves. Presta valves are not as common, and are mostly used on higher-end competitive road bikes.

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Question

How do I inflate a bike tube with no pin on it?

Community Answer

While there are tires without valves, it isn't likely that you'd have one without knowing, as they tend to be heavy, expensive and most of all don't go flat, they are filled solid. Make sure your valve is not obscured by a dynamo or some other part of your bike.

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Question

Is there any danger in inflating to the maximum recommended pressure point or should I leave it between minimum and maximum recommended pressure points?

Jayden Watford

Community Answer

There is no danger when inflating to the maximum point but do not exceed this amount. Leaving it between the points is also an option if you still fear pumping it to the max.

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Question

I bought a hand pump, but where do I put the pin?

Community Answer

The wheel of the back tire has a small cap, like a toothpaste cap. Pull it off and put the pin there.

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Question

How do you inflate tire a that has no air in it?

Community Answer

You need an air pump. Unscrew the air valve located on the tire, attach the air nozzle to the valve and inflate.

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