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It turns out to pump up a bicycle wheel with a hand pump. How to inflate a bicycle wheel with a hand pump

Choosing a device for inflating bicycle tires, inexperienced cyclists hope to combine the incompatible in one small device.

What considerations should be taken into account when choosing this obligatory technical accessory so that you don’t have to rack your brains somewhere on the road how to pump up a bicycle wheel?

Choice problems

The main emphasis is on the fact that a bicycle pump must be durable, have sufficient performance, and be suitable for inflating any tires with all types of nipples. It would be nice if it was a pump with a pressure gauge. And, of course, the device should not be bulky. Moreover, it is desirable that in the presence of all the above qualities, it would be, in general, miniature.

1.1 How to combine the incompatible?

The issue of strength is solved by manufacturers using special metal alloys and modern polymeric materials. Equipping the pump with adapters and other accessories is also quite within the power of their technical capabilities. But against the combination of high performance and high pressure in one miniature device, both technical and physical laws rise up.

The problem is that with small dimensions of the working chamber, the high performance of the compressor device is ensured only by a high frequency of work cycles. A bicycle pump is, for the most part, a mechanism with a muscular drive. However, man is not a machine and his physical capabilities are limited. What compromise solutions have been found, and how to avoid mistakes when choosing a pump for a bicycle, can be found in this article. to the menu

2 Features of bicycle pumps

It is necessary to accurately determine the type of nipple that is installed on the bicycle tires and the type of tires themselves. Unlike motorists who use one type of nipple when working with pneumatics, cyclists have to deal with three.

Each species has a name adopted among cyclists and has a designation in the international format.

  1. Dunlop (Dunlop) international marking (DV)- an outdated type of nipple, but mounted in bicycle tires in many European countries.
  2. Schrader (Schrader, Schreider) or car nipple (AV)- the most common type. Fits on most tires of pneumatic tyres, and on bicycle forks with air shock absorbers.
  3. Presta (Presta) or French valve (FV)- mounted on tires of only some types of road and road bikes.

Modern bicycle pumps, for the most part, have a lever-collet type adapter, in which the role of the holding element is played by a sealing rubber ring, forcibly expanded by a rotary lever. The inner diameter of the ring in the Schrader adapter is 8 mm, which is 2 mm more than that of the Presta.

Therefore, in all bicycle pumps with such an adapter, the compressing sleeve has a hole for the Schroeder AV automobile nipple on one side, and for the FV bicycle Print on the opposite side. It is enough to turn the sealing ring over, and the pump can be used for any type of nipple.

Threaded adapters are included with hose pumps.

All manufacturers must indicate in their passports or on packages what type of nipple their bicycle pumps can be connected to. This marking can also be on the cases.

The most famous brands of bicycle equipment.

  1. Topeak - USA.
  2. SKS - Germany.
  3. Giyo Taiwan.
  4. Stels - Russia.
  5. Cyclotech - China.
  6. Veto - China.

On bicycle tires, the optimal pressure must be indicated, which the selected pump should provide. to the menu

3 Types of devices for inflating bicycle wheels

The main thing that a cyclist needs to decide when choosing a pump is with the help of which the device will be set in motion. Based on this, electric, hand and foot pumps are distinguished. to the menu

3.1 Electric cycle compressors

The purchase of a portable or stationary electric compressor powered by a 220 network or 12 v car batteries, in this case, is not considered. Such installations make sense if you have to serve a large number of bicycles. In the presence of 2-4 units of bicycle equipment, it is quite possible to get by with muscle-driven pumps. Yes, and it is good for health, from time to time, to strain a different muscle group than when riding a bicycle.

However, you should pay attention to the BERKUT Specialist VL-1000 electric pump, powered by a battery charged from a 220 V network. Charging time is only 2-3 hours.

BERKUT Specialist VL-1000 delivers a flow rate of 10 l/min and a pressure of up to 8 bar. The electric pump is equipped with a hose and adapters for pumping through any nipple.

In addition, a high-precision linear pressure gauge is installed on it.

Such characteristics of the BERKUT Specialist VL-1000 minicompressor, with a continuous operation time of up to 10 minutes guaranteed by the manufacturer, are quite sufficient to inflate two tires for a road bike to the optimum pressure. All this makes it invaluable for road cyclists. to the menu

3.2 Floor (car) pumps

In a bicycle pump without an electric or mechanical drive, it is possible to combine high performance, pressure, strength and versatility only in a floor version, usually called an automobile one, and even stationary in bicycle slang. In this case, there is no talk about the miniaturization of the product.

Main characteristics of floor pumps for tires:

  1. The body, piston rod and rigid parts of the piston are made of metal, most often it is special steel.
  2. Large volume of the cylinder, providing fast inflation of the wheel to the required pressure.
  3. Robust hose with connection heads for all types of nipples.
  4. Reliable emphasis on the floor.
  5. Ergonomic handle.
  6. Manometer for air pressure control.

Pump height (Hv) 500–680 mm, cylinder diameter (Dts) 30–50 mm. Weight 1-2 kg

When inflating the wheels with a floor hand pump, not only the efforts of the muscles of the hands are used, but also the weight of the body, which greatly facilitates the work. The inflation time for most tires is 1-2 minutes. This pump can create a pressure of up to 12 bar.

Brands of the most popular floor pumps:

  1. Outdoor bicycle pump Stels ZF-037 from the Russian manufacturer Velomotors (Velomotors) made of aluminum alloy, equipped with a pressure gauge with a measurement scale in bar (atm) and psi. The maximum pressure is 11 bar. The plastic emphasis reliably fixes the pump during the work. Device dimensions: Hb = 530 mm; DC - 38 mm; Weight - 1 kg. The hose has adapters that are compatible with all types of nipples.

3.3 Foot operated bicycle pump

In stationary conditions, the Stels FP9803 foot pump with a pressure gauge will also be a good help for a cyclist. This pump has a higher capacity than a floor pump with a manual drive. In addition, the foot drive greatly facilitates and speeds up the inflation process.

However, most devices of this type, having a decent cylinder volume of 0.3 - 0.4 liters, cannot produce pressure above 7 bar. This is fine for most types of bikes and car tires, but not enough for road and hybrid bikes, which need to keep tire pressures between 6.46-9.18 bar. to the menu

3.4 Portable bicycle pumps

There can be no two opinions here - pumps on the road simply must be miniature and light and, at the same time, have good compression characteristics and strength. The greatest preference is given to models that, when folded, have a length of 200-250 mm and weight. 100–220 g.

It is desirable that these be pumps with a pressure gauge and a T-handle, have a connecting hose, or at least some constructive ability to abut the pump against something to reduce the risk of breaking the nipple. Durability is also an important quality - falling is not uncommon in cycling. Here, light aluminum alloys come first.


4 High pressure bicycle pump for air forks

Neither a car nor a bicycle tire pump can create the required pressure, and it is impossible to adjust the air shock absorbers. Bicycle forks with pneumatic suspension require a special pump that easily creates high pressure.

The air-cushioned fork shredder is mounted so that it cannot be connected with a tire pump adapter. The fork pump must necessarily have a hose, with a special adapter for such an arrangement of the nipple, plus a pressure gauge with precise graduation and a valve for bleeding air when adjusting the pneumatics of the shock-absorbing chambers.

One such hand-actuated air compressor is the Cyclotech CP-HP1 fork and shock absorber high pressure pump. All the necessary devices for working with bicycle pneumatic shock absorption are provided on it.

Manually creating high pressure is possible only with a device with a small cylinder volume, so the pump for air shock absorbers Cyclotech CP-HP1, like other devices for this purpose, have a very small capacity and using them to inflate tires is an extra waste of time and effort. to the menu

4.1 Choosing a bicycle pump (video)

No matter how many new ways appear for quick inflation, users of this transport are still interested in how to pump up a bicycle wheel with a hand pump. After all, it is this device that is included in the mandatory kit of a cyclist and can restore the ability of transport to move. But you need not only to have a manual device for pumping air at hand, but also to be able to use it.

In general, such devices with a manual principle of operation are divided into two types. The difference between them lies in the presence / absence of a measuring device - a pressure gauge. It is better to buy a model with a pressure gauge, if such a device is not lying around in your home. To make it easier to inflate bicycle tires in the future, you can calculate how many intakes you need to make to get the optimal pressure. In this case, you can even do without a pressure gauge, but you will need to be attentive and focused with each pumping, and this is not very convenient.

inflation process

Every cyclist should know how to use and be able to put this knowledge into practice. To cope with this task, you need to perform a number of simple steps:

  1. Scroll the wheel until the nipple is at the bottom. This is if the bike is upright. In the event that the vehicle lies or the wheel is dismantled, then the location of the nipple does not matter.
  2. Unscrew the cap.
  3. We release air from the tire, while holding the tongue from the nipple.
  4. We insert the outlet pipe from the pump, and then turn the valve to the maximum level.
  5. Install the pump in a vertical position.
  6. We take the rod, lower and raise it with smooth movements, thus pumping air into the chamber.

Pressure control

It is important not only to know how to use, but also to be able to control changes in air pressure. You can do this in several ways:

  1. With the help of a manometer, tracking the movement of the arrow.
  2. If the pressure gauge is not connected to the pump, then periodically you will have to disconnect it and insert a measuring device into the nipple.
  3. Feel the tire, while evaluating its hardness.

The last option must be performed even when using a pressure gauge. After all, the pressure in the pump during inflation can increase, while air will not enter the chamber. Accordingly, the readings of the pressure gauge will not correspond to reality and the wheel will eventually be inflated insufficiently well.

Nipples range

Bicycles can be fitted with a variety of nipples, not all of which will fit conventional hand bike pumps. The most common are automotive nipples and Dunlop. Thin wheels are often fitted with Presta valved elements. When working with such a valve, care must be taken and cleanliness must be observed. Such specimens are often found on road bikes and hybrids. Here it will be possible to bring the air pressure back to normal with the help of a special pump, which is designed for a small volume. The use of a conventional pump will be possible due to a special adapter.

Riding a bicycle with flat tires is not allowed. It is not even worth thinking about such an option here. So that you do not have to lead your two-wheeled friend to the nearest place for, you must always have a pump at hand and be able to use it.

How to pump up the wheels of a bicycle, every owner of a two-wheeled iron horse knows. However, even some experienced cyclists who have been riding for years do not understand how to do the job right.

How to pump up a bicycle wheel with a pump, how often do you need to resort to the procedure? All these questions concern avid cyclists.

How to determine the pressure level in tires?

There is a common "grandfather" method that allows you to estimate the pressure in the wheels. It consists in pressing on the tire with the fingers of the hand. If the rubber practically does not flex, then the pressure is normal. However, the method is rather inaccurate, because some people are able to chop nuts with their hands, while others will not be able to flatten even a piece of plasticine in their fingers.

A more reliable way to determine tire pressure is to use a pressure gauge. When performing a task using the device, it is worth counting the number of pump strokes until the optimum level is reached. This approach will tell you how to inflate bicycle wheels in next time even without access to a pressure gauge.

Why is it important to maintain high tire pressure?

Immediately it is worth noting that you should not be afraid to pump the wheels. The upper limit of most tires is quite high. Therefore, extra effort usually does not lead to tire rupture. It is much worse to ride because in this case, the likelihood of punctures and other damage increases, which can lead to the need for repair or replacement of the bike tube.

What else threatens riding on half-flat tires and unwillingness to figure out how to pump up the wheels of a bicycle? Due to insufficient pressure, the damping capacity of tires deteriorates. High-speed driving over bumps, moving through sections with rough terrain - all this can lead to the formation of so-called eights on wheels, damage to the rims.

To what level should the tires be inflated?

The necessary pressure in the tires of a two-wheeled vehicle largely depends on the nature of the road surface on which the movement takes place:

  1. How to pump up the wheels of a bicycle for comfortable rides on a flat hard surface? In this case, it is necessary to create a higher pressure in the tires of the order of 3.5 atmospheres. Insufficient inflation of the wheels will lead to an increase in the area of ​​​​contact of the wheels with the road and, accordingly, a decrease in driving speed.
  2. How to inflate a bicycle wheel when preparing a vehicle for driving on the ground? Here it is worth setting the tire pressure, which is slightly higher than the minimum and is about 2.6 atmospheres. Softer wheels will dampen vibrations when in contact with bumps. Among other things, increasing the contact area with the road will increase grip during descents and sharp turns.

Getting Started with Wheels

Pumping occurs in the following sequence:

  • After releasing the tire nipple, you need to completely release the air from the wheel.
  • A pump is attached to the nipple, the wheel is inflated to the desired level.
  • During operation, the pump is disconnected from time to time to check the pressure with a manometer.
  • At the end, the pump is removed to the side, a protective cap is screwed onto the nipple.

Similar actions are done with the second wheel. The tire will be considered optimally inflated when the pressure level is exceeded by about 5-8% of the value marked on the tire.

The main thing is not to forget to count the number of strokes until the required pressure level is reached. In the future, this will save you a lot of hassle and save a lot of effort.

How to inflate a bicycle wheel without a pump? It would seem that to cope with such a task is unrealistic. However, when there is no standard tire inflation tool at hand, you can use it from a vacuum cleaner with a reverse air injection function. The main thing is to find a suitable hose for this and securely isolate all connections of a home-made device.

How often should bike tires be inflated?

If you have a solid new mountain bike from a reputable manufacturer, you can forget about the need to "refuel" tires with air for several months. Over time, with regular driving, the wheels will gradually deflate. In fact, running on flat tires can seem even more comfortable, especially when driving over rough terrain. However, such a decision will negatively affect the condition of the rims.

If the pressure in the tire is exceeded, the latter may burst or explode. Therefore, it is worth regularly checking the condition of the wheels with a pressure gauge. For mountain bike- several times a week, for the road model - after each trip.

If you follow these simple recommendations, the trip will be an order of magnitude more pleasant, easier and more efficient. Ultimately, timely inflation of the wheels and maintaining the optimal level of tire pressure will eliminate the need to carry your favorite bike on your own shoulders.

Probably every cyclist at least once in his life faced such a problem as a deflated camera. And according to the law of meanness, this trouble most often lies in wait for us somewhere on the road, far from home and the service center. Therefore, a cyclist must definitely master the skills of inflating a wheel, especially since there is nothing complicated in this.

Despite the fact that in modern world There are many methods for inflating a bicycle wheel, most cyclists prefer a hand pump, because it is always at hand and can help out in case of unforeseen damage to the wheel. Therefore, in this material we will consider this particular type of wheel inflation.

Optimum tire pressure settings

The level of tire pressure is the indicator that every cyclist must monitor without fail. After all, the number of atmospheres directly affects the speed of movement and the quality of adhesion of the wheel to the road surface.

The middle scale looks like this:

  • Movement on asphalt - from 2 to 3.5 atmospheres
  • Movement on the primer - from 2.5 to 2.8 atmospheres

In order to determine the level of pressure in the tire, you can simply carefully feel the wheel along the entire diameter. If you do not feel deflections, then everything is normal. But it is better to carry out this procedure using a special pressure gauge, which is usually built into a hand pump. The second method guarantees you more accurate results and is suitable for bikes with any type of rubber.

Experienced cyclists are well aware that an underinflated tire can lead to a number of unpleasant consequences. This:

  • Low level of maneuverability
  • High risk of punctures and other damage
  • Significant power costs when crossing difficult terrain

But if the wheels of your bike, on the contrary, are too pumped over, you may encounter such difficulties as:

  • Poor road grip
  • High degree of danger of emergencies

But if the required level of pressure is observed in the tires, the most comfortable ride awaits you, which will bring only positive emotions.

Inflating the wheel with a hand pump

A hand pump is the essential accessory that every cyclist must have. After all, if a tire puncture caught you on the road, only this device will help solve the problem, and not hitchhike to the nearest service center.

There are two types of hand pump:

  • Standard
  • With pressure gauge

The process of inflating the wheel in stages is as follows:

  1. Scroll the wheel until the nipple is pointing down
  2. While holding the nipple tab, let the air out of the wheel
  3. Install the pump nozzle
  4. Turn the valve all the way
  5. Smoothly moving the stem, let the air into the tire

As you can see, the algorithm of actions is quite simple and, guided by such simple rules, you can easily pump up a flat tire. Remember that driving on a flat tire is simply unacceptable. And the point is not only that such a trip will be less comfortable and will give few positive impressions. A wheel that's not enough atmospheric pressure is a direct threat to your safety. Therefore, do not take risks and carefully monitor the condition of bicycle tires. Everything you need to inflate tires can be found in the section "

How to inflate bicycle wheels without a pump?

    Indeed, it would seem that it is impossible to pump up a bicycle wheel without a pump. However, it is not. There are ways in which you can inflate wheels without a pump and not only bicycle ones.

    I could say that without a pump, a bicycle wheel can be inflated with an air compressor. But I won’t say that, because I understand that the author of the question had in mind completely different ways.

    The first way to pump up a wheel without a pump is to build a homemade compressor from an ordinary vacuum cleaner. There are vacuum cleaners that not only suck air into themselves, but, on the contrary, suck it out. So, you can attach some old hose from the pump to the vacuum cleaner, connect it to the electrical network and pump it up.

    And if there is no vacuum cleaner or an old hose from the pump, then you can use even more the easy way wheel inflation. You will need two empty plastic bottles. From one bottle you need to cut off a small part, about five to ten centimeters from its bottom. Attach a hose to the neck of the cut bottle. Yes, you will need a hose anyway. You need to fasten it to the neck so that it does not let air through. Can be covered with sealant, plasticine or glue. This part of the bottle will serve as the homemade pump cylinder. You need to put a second bottle into it, with a tightly closed lid. And that's it, it turned out a homemade pump. They can pump up a flat bike tire. If it is not possible to inflate in this way to the desired pressure, then at least you can ride a bicycle with wheels inflated in this way.

    There are other options, but they are dangerous. If the bicycle wheels are tubeless, then you can pump them up using gasoline or liquefied gas. To do this, apply a small amount of gasoline or spray with gas on the wheel rim. Only the amount of these combustible substances must be very small, as the wheel may explode. Well, in general, apply some gasoline or gas and set it on fire.

    How is it done with bicycle wheels you can see the video below.

    You can pump up a bicycle wheel without a pump if you manage to find another pump, even if it’s a car one, or you have to make it yourself from plastic bottles different diameter. That is, it will still be a pump, although not native.

    Usually, if I have a flat ball, or a bicycle tire, I circle the area looking for potential pump owners. There will always be those. Garages are everywhere. Look for someone who looks like the owner of the car and ask if he has a pump. The more people you ask, the more likely you are to solve the problem!

    If you don't have bicycle pump, and the wheel of your bike is flat, then you can contact any motorist - most of them have a pump in their car that also fits the bicycle wheel.

    In general, it is impossible to pump up a bicycle wheel without any pump, because a fairly strong air flow is needed. If there is no pump at hand, then as an option, you can ask motorists for a pump, because in most cases they fit bicycle wheels.

    It is better, of course, to still find a pump, because there are no other options to pump up a bicycle wheel.

    Only if you try to douse it with gasoline, of course ... but not very much. It is enough to apply a small amount of it on the wheel, then scroll well so that it is distributed over the entire surface, and bring fire. The wheel should, in theory, inflate instantly. At least I have seen more than once that they do this with a car wheel, and every time everything goes well.

    In my opinion, it’s impossible to pump up a bicycle wheel without a pump. I would just look for the nearest car where its owner is present and ask him for a pump. If the wheel broke somewhere in the forest then a spare camera would help. On such trips, you can take a spare tire with you.

    So, without your own pump, you can pump up the wheel, you just need to contact the person who has it (I think many motorists have it). If you ask to pump up without a pump at all, then this is impossible.

    I had a situation when I had a flat tire, but there was no pump at hand. But alas, without him, I still would not have pumped up. I had to ask the cyclists passing by for help.

    Of course, there are options for how to pump up a bicycle wheel without a pump, but I would not mess with them).

    You can also make a pump from improvised means (plastic bottles). But I didn't use it either.

    In any case, it will be easier to buy a pump or ask motorists or cyclists for it.

    The pump can be made with improvised means literally from two bottles of different diameters. One day I came across a video on YouTube, which explains this process in detail. For manufacturing, it is necessary to make a hole in the very bottom in a bottle of a larger diameter. Wrap the bottom of the bottle with a smaller diameter with tape and grease with any greasy ointment. Insert one bottle into another and pump air by unscrewing the bottle cap. The method can be used in the field and is ideal for inflating a bicycle wheel. For single use and in an emergency.

    I’ll add on my own that instead of a screwdriver, you can use a regular nail heated on a lighter. Sub-units can be seen in the video below.

    You can just ask someone for the pump



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