Inflating a bicycle tyre: How should this be done and what types of valves are there?

Inflating your bicycle tyre seems like a simple operation, but it is important that you do it correctly and don't ride around on a tyre that has not been inflated properly. A soft or flat tyre is something you want to avoid because it can damage your rim and it can cause you to lose speed. It is good to regularly check and inflate your tyre. In this blog you'll find out the best way to inflate your bicycle tyre.

Do you want to keep using your equipment for a long time and keep it in good condition? Then it must be maintained. Read all about it in this blog. One important point of attention for your bike is the tyres. Too little or too much air in a tyre can lead to dangerous situations.

That's why in this blog you can read all about valves and pumps to inflate your tyres correctly and to determine the right tyre pressure. It's also good to know when you find yourself stranded on the roadside with a flat tyre.

All valve types are inflated in slightly different ways. The type of valve varies from one bike to another, depending on its age and the type of bike you have. Road bike and mountain bike tyres often have different types of valves than city bikes and e-bikes.

Different types of valves

There are a number of different types of bike valves. It is useful to know the difference between them. That way you know which pump is needed and how to inflate the tyre.

There are three types of valves:

• Dutch Valve (Dunlop)
• French Valve (Presta)
• Schräder Valve

Inflating a City bike / E-bike tyre - Dutch valve (Dunlop)

This is a common valve, often found on a city bike or e-bike. The advantage of a Dutch valve is that it is easy to inflate. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Rotate your wheel so that the valve is on the bottom.

2. Remove the cap from the valve.

3. When the valve cap is off, you do not need to turn the valve.

4. Before you start pumping, check how much PSI the tyre (and rim) can hold.
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum amount of pressure. This can usually be found on the tyre itself. On this tyre, for example, you can see a minimum of 45 and a maximum of 70 PSI.

5. Start pumping.
You can use a number of different pumps for this valve, some pumps are clamped on the valve while others are screwed onto the valve. In this case, a classic Dutch pump is used.

6. Done? Put the cap back on and get back on your bike!

JUMBO Basic, Dunlop Valve

£19.70

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Road bike or MTB tyre inflation - French valve (Presta)

This type of valve is often used for sporty bicycles such as racing bikes. Inflating a tyre with a presta valve requires a couple of extra steps. As you can see in the picture, the presta valve is narrower and has an extra cap.

1. Rotate your wheel so that the valve is on the bottom.

2. Take the cap off the valve.

3. Loosen the small screw cap.
To make pumping easier, you can also remove the ring that keeps the valve in place on the rim.

When inflating, watch out for the pin sticking out at the top, as it's very fragile. If you put the pump on or take it off too hard, it may bend.

4. Inflate the tyre.
When you have determined the amount of pressure your tyre needs, use the smallest hole on the pump to inflate the tyre. If your pump only has one hole, use that instead.

PLEASE NOTE: Always check the tyre for the maximum amount of pressure it can hold. Make sure you do not exceed this number while inflating!

5. Done? Close the valve. Tighten the locknut and put the valve cap back on if necessary.

Now that your tyre is properly inflated, you are ready to get back on the road. Do check your tyre pressure regularly, because a tyre may lose pressure over time, which can cause dangerous situations. A soft tyre also increases rolling resistance, resulting in more effort for the cyclist.

Topeak JoeBlow Sport III

£34.30

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Lezyne Mantel Dual Floor Drive

£32.60

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Schrader valve

The Schrader valve is a popular valve in the automotive industry. This type of valve was often used on mountain bikes in the past. Nowadays, you see this type of valve mostly on city bikes.

The big advantage of this valve is that you can inflate your tyre at almost every garage. All you have to do is remove the valve cap and clip the pump on the valve.

1. Rotate your wheel so that the valve is on the bottom.

2. Take the cap off the valve.

3. Inflate the tyre.
For the Schrader valve, use the large hole of the pump. Of course, you can also use a compressor. Again, check the maximum bar on your tyre.

4. Done? Put the cap back on and go for a ride!

Different bike pumps

Are you at home with a soft tyre or is your tyre running flat on the road? There is a pump for every occasion. Earlier in this blog, we mentioned which pump is compatible with which valve. For clarification, this topic will be discussed in more detail below.

The classic pump, you can probably find one in every shed or garage. "While it is the perfect pump for the Dutch valve, it is not very multifunctional..

If you want to be able to inflate all different types of valves with just one pump, go for the modern version of the classic pump. Preferably a pump with a pressure gauge, which lets you determine the exact amount of pressure you want to inflate the tyre with. This is very handy, as it allows you to play with the tyre pressure to eventually find the best pressure for you.

Are you on the road and do you suddenly have a soft or flat tyre? Then a mini pump or CO2 inflator can be the solution. These gadgets are small and easy to take with you. If you end up opting for a mini pump, preferably choose one with a pump hose. This way, you don't directly exert pressure on the valve and you avoid bending it.

If you can't decide between CO2 cartridges and a mini pump, there is also the CO2 pump. This gives you the option of using cartridges, but you can also inflate the tyre by hand.

Lezyne Pressure Drive

£28.30

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Topeak RaceRocket HP

£25.70

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