The two most common valve types these days are Presta valves and Schrader valves. Schrader valves are most commonly found on bikes with wide rims and are the same style you’ll find on most automobiles. 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. To inflate a Presta valve you’ll need a regular air pump and a special adapter. These can be purchased for about a dollar at your local bike shop. In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to use the adapter to inflate your tire.
The first step is to remove the cap and then loosen the valve’s locknut all the way counter-clockwise. Notice that you can now let air out by depressing the locknut.
Now install the adapter by carefully threading it clockwise onto the valve stem’s threads. The adapter effectively converts your Presta valve to a Schrader valve so that you can use a traditional air pump to inflate it. Attach your air pump and inflate the tire to the recommended pressure. This is written on your sidewall and is usually marked with a ‘PSI’ rating (pounds per square inch).
Once the tire is fully inflated, remove the air pump, remove the adapter, and finger tighten the locknut. Then replace the cap. There is another locknut at the bottom of the valve stem. This should be finger-tightened once the tire is inflated.
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its good…perfect!
Yeah, i got some new tires/tubes for my mtn bike and had no idea how to air them up $2 got me an adaptor at the local shop.
Hi Alex,
Both my bikes (Bianchi 110-120 psi, Trek 80 psi) utilize Presta valves. I didn’t know about the adapter though, the sales guy showed me how to inflate without it. In your opinion, is there any harm/advantage to using an adapter other than fitting a standard-sized pump nozzle? Also, do any of your tutorials show how to inflate with CO2 cartridges? It was explained to me by store personnel ‘how to do’, but a visual demonstration would be helpful!
Thanks for sharing your expertise. I’ve shared your website with other of my biker friends and their opinions are the same as mine - this is a great resource!
Thomas
Status of this Request
It sounds like your pump has the Presta valve adaptor built in. There should be no problem using it.
As for the CO2 cartridge tutorial, I’ve added it to the list and will let you know when it is posted.
Cheers, and thanks for spreading the word!
Alex
Hi,
This is a excellent bit of kit even if you don’t have a Presta valve on your bike wheels for a small cost you can carry one in your saddle bag.
You never know if you will meet some one with this type of valve and they have a flat tire you can use your Schrader pump and this adapter and help them fix there bike at the road side.
I my self have invested in one as I often see people on the roads with road bikes but they don’t seem to carry any tools if I can help I will so could you.
Regards Anthony Dacko
United Kingdom
I have presta valves, and I keep the adapter screwed onto one of the wheels all the time (so I never lose it).
Another tip for always having the adapter handy… if you are on the road, you should always be carrying a small pump with you. Put the adapter in the pump as if you were inflating your tire, but of course keep it off the actual valve. That way, you don’t have to go searching for it at the bottom of your bag when you need it the most.
i keep mine on my keychain on a separate ring… no way of losing that lil’ nugget.
I am slightly confused. The last scene mentions “There is another locknut at the bottom of the valve stem. This should be finger-tightened once the tire is inflated.” However, should he have loosened it in the very beginning before pumping air into the tires? In other words, does this bottom locknut need to be loose in order to pump air in tires?
Sorry for the confusion. No, the bottom locknut doesn’t need to be loose to inflate the tire… just make sure it’s tight.