How do you inflate bike tires?
For bike riders, the answer to the question"How to use the compressor to inflate the bike tires?" is very important. The tire pressure that you have set makes a big difference in the quality of your ride.
If it's too low there are chances of pinch flat adding rolling resistance and if it's too high you face a harsh bumpy ride and lesser control over your vehicle.
The right tire pressure will give you a better ride with a better grip in handling. Our entire discussion is based on the answer to "how to use air compressor to inflate the bike tires?"
In a broader sense, this discussion will cover all those aspects needed for the proper inflation of bike tires to ensure a safe and smooth ride.
Steps for tire inflation:
First, determine what tire pressure is most suitable for your bike. There is a recommended tire pressure for each bike. You can find a range of pressure on the sidewall of your site.
The tires have two valves either Schrader or Presta valve. So, you need to identify the valve that is compatible with your air compressor. Some pumps are compatible with both of them as indicated by the icon on the pump's head.
Now, push the air compressor head down on the valve as far as you can then start pumping. When pumping the tire keep an eye on the pressure gauge and once you are within the range printed on the sidewall of the tire you need to stop.
Now gently pull the head out of the valve and your bike is ready for the ride.
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Things to consider for better inflation:
The proper inflation is essential for a smooth ride and for proper inflation, some aspects are very important to know. The knowledge of factors will save you and your vehicle from many miseries that may occur during the ride as a result of improper inflation.
Here we are discussing those aspects.
i). Pump size:
When it comes to pumping size, it is better to choose a bigger air compressor that will help you in getting your job done quickly and effectively. The stroke volume is going to determine how quickly you can inflate your pump.
ii). Type of bikes:
The selection of an air compressor greatly depends upon the type of bike you have. Different bikes like mountain bikes, road bikes, and kids bikes have different requirements of PSI. You can get this information from the side wall of your tire. Typically the kid's bikes need 40 psi, Leisure hybrids require up to 80 PSI and there are significant variations in the road and mountain bikes PSI requirements.
iii). Pump compatibility and clever valve pump:
Some air compressors will adjust to all the valves but some will only adjust to a specific type of valve. The Presta and Schrader valves are two types of valves and you need to look for the pump compatibility with these valves. If you are worried about picking up the wrong pump then pick a clever valve pump that can make an auto adjustment with both types of valves.
iv). Choose according to your need:
Don't panic if you see different descriptions for hand pumps. They offer similar functions but have a specialty to help you depending on your needs.
v). Dual pump:
If your requirement is the super-fast inflation then you should choose a dual-action pump. A dual-action pump will inflate your tires two times faster and they are ideal for your Leisure bikes.
vi). High Pressure and volume pump:
High pressure and high volume pump have a handy switch on them to allow you to change between pressure focus inflation and volume focus inflation.
vii). CO2 compressors:
CO2 compressors are perfect if you are looking for a quick fix to pump up your flat tires. These pocket-pumps can inflate your tires up to 120 PSI in a matter of seconds. These pumps have a clever valve on their tips so you can pump different bikes with their help.
viii). Track pumps:
Track pumps are perfect for keeping in your shade to quickly and accurately pump everyone's tire before a trip. They have an extra-long flexible hose and a gauge to help you inflate accurately and avoid overinflation.
CO2 VS Mini Air Compressor, which one is better:
A smart bike rider will always prefer to carry a portable air compressor with him on the ride. Portable pumps are mostly required by mountain riders or riders of areas where it is difficult to find the pump stations. The two massively used portable pums are the CO2 and mini inflator pumps.
The mini pumps are a mini version of the same pump that is used at workshops and homes. There can be massive variations in the design of mini-pumps.You can take them on ride if you can bear little heavier pump than CO2 pumps.
Being lighter in weight, the CO2 offer better portability than mini-pumps. Another reason to prefer CO2 pumps over mini pumps is the quicker inflation. The CO2 pumps take lesser time to inflate a tire when compared with a mini pump.
But they also have some downside such as the need for canister replacement after one use. The CO2 pumps are more suitable for travelers or bike racers who need a pump as little as
Conclusion:
The criteria for proper inflation and the safer ride has been well discussed and the riders have been made familiar with the answer to,"how to use air compressor to inflate the bike tires?"
Keeping the key details in mind will let you better inflate your bike tires and those key requirements are the selection of appropriate pump size, checking your vehicle compatibility with the air compressor, and, the pressure range of your bike. Ignoring any of these factors may cause trouble for your bike tires.
Another important discussion is based on the choice of air compressor and air compressors are chosen based on the user's requirements.
For example, if a user needs super-fast inflation then he would consider a dual action pump and if he needs flexibility between pressure and volume focus then high-pressure high volume pump will be his choice. So the choice of the air compressor is wholly based on the user's personal requirements.