How do i inflate a presta valve

You'd think inflating a bike tire would be pretty simple.

The two most common valve types these days are Presta valves and Schrader valves. They use an internal spring to allow inflation while keeping the valve closed. You can inflate this style easily with any regular air pump. Presta valves are a lot narrower and are commonly found on higher end bikes with narrow rims. They are a little trickier to inflate as they use a manual locknut to open the valve for inflation. These can be purchased for about a dollar at your local bike shop.

How do i inflate a presta valve

The standard type of valve on most modern bike tires is called a "Presta valve" sometimes called a 'French Valve'. Unlike Schrader valves, which are common on some mountain bikes and all car tires, these types of valves are built to handle high-pressure tires, since the narrower valve stem increases the strength of the tube. Presta valves can be a little tricky to figure out when you are first working to fill one of them with air. The first step is to remove the black dust cover from the top of the valve. Set this aside somewhere it won't get lost. Now, grasp the top of the valve and gently unscrew turn to the left -- remember, lefty loosie, righty tighty the brass cap at the top of the valve. This has to be unscrewed it won't come off completely in order to fill your tire with air. If you press down the top of the valve with the brass cap unscrewed, you should hear and feel air escaping as long as there is pressure in the tire. In general, the whole length of a Presta valve tends to be threaded. Usually, a lock-nut at the bottom of the valve holds the valve in place. Some tubes are smooth and don't feature this lock nut.

A lot of my riding is on rough tracks. I pushed the internal brake cable through the hydraulic brake hose, while it was still in the frame. After riding it for 2 weeks and hitting some easy gravel roads I found two relatively small dents on bicycle's frame.

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Have you ever been out for a ride only to find your tire is flat? With these simple steps, inflating your tires will become second nature in no time. So if your bike needs some extra air, just follow along as we teach you all about Presta valves and how to properly use them. Inflating a Presta valve requires some specialized equipment. The first item is a presta valve adapter, which allows an air pump to be attached directly to the valve.

How do i inflate a presta valve

Then, before I had reached the trailhead, I noticed my rear tire was significantly low. I felt like I was riding through mud — on the pavement! Remembering a gas station with an air pump on my way to the trailhead, I figured I could easily pump up my tire without a wasted trip back to my house. The gas station had a standard car pump and, new biker that I was, I forgot my bike tires have a presta valve. All because of a puny little valve. Oh, the angst. Presta valves, on the other hand, are significantly skinnier than Schrader valves.

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Video updates - Many hand-held air pumps have a built-in presta valve adapter. There is another locknut at the bottom of the valve stem. Recently, I was in one of the local bike shops. This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. That is, until you take a look at your bike's valve. Both the old and new are TLR, but I run with tubes. Tap the top of the valve. How to Pump a Presta Valve. Bike rides pretty well. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here. This should be finger-tightened once the tire is inflated. After riding it for 2 weeks and hitting some easy gravel roads I found two relatively small dents on bicycle's frame. In general, the whole length of a Presta valve tends to be threaded. The two most common valve types these days are Presta valves and Schrader valves.

You'd think inflating a bike tire would be pretty simple. That is, until you take a look at your bike's valve. Enter, intimidation.

Chain sits on top of chainring when shifting up Latest post 2 weeks ago. Fitness Training Cycling. A Presta valve should be opened briefly before hooking up a pump to check that the valve opens easily and isn't sticking , but should then only open if air pressure is forcing the valve open. In general, the whole length of a Presta valve tends to be threaded. Enter, intimidation. Alex Ramon A bicycle geek since early childhood, spent his twenties as a mechanic in bike shops. This should be finger-tightened once the tire is inflated. I ride longer distances then many cyclists. Latest post 5 days ago. So…when I ordered the new wheels, I also ordered tape.