Written By: Jonathan
Fact Checked By: Caroline Dezendorf
Reviewed By: Matt Tanner
Simply if you feel that your bicycle is not that smoother and faster as it always been, then the simple reason could be that your bicycle tire needs help from a bike pump.
There can be confusion if you have a Presta valve, especially if you are habitual to the wider Schrader valves commonly found in cars or some mountain bikes, as Presta valves are longer and thinner and yes they do work a little differently.
The fact is, many road bikes and higher-end bicycles come with Presta valves because they hold air more securely at higher pressures.
Now, this is the guide and we will talk about How To Pump A Bike Tire With A Presta Valve, with clear and easy steps so that you can fully understand what the Presta valve is and how the bike pump works with it.
What Is a Presta Valve?
Road bikes, racing bikes, and some high-end mountain bikes actually use Presta valve type air valves.
It’s made entirely of metal and is long and thin, and you’ll notice that it has a small lock nut on the top, so you’ll need to unscrew that before you can fill the tire with air.
Apart from this, there is a small plastic cap available to protect it from dust and dirt.
So the big difference with Schrader is that the Schrader valve does not need to be opened before pumping, but the Presta valve does.
Because you have to open the small top part before air can get into it.
Yes, Presta valves are used on some bikes for some important reasons.
Presta valves are better for higher-pressure tires because they create a tighter seal.
Another reason is that it has a thinner valve available, which basically means the hole in the bike rim can be smaller, thus keeping the rim stronger, especially on lighter bikes.
In fact, Presta valves can actually handle pressures well over 100 psi, as is very common in road cycling conditions.
Even though it may seem hard, as Presta valves are designed to be more efficient and ideal for performance bikes, so once you learn to use them you’ll find they’re very reliable and really easy to work with.
Basic Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bike Pump (Presta-compatible) | Obviously this is for inflating tires through a Presta valve. | The bike pump must have a Presta head or dual head (Presta/Schrader) pump to work properly. |
| Valve adapter (totally optional) | This actually allows you to use a regular Schrader-only pump on a Presta valve type. | It’s a very small, inexpensive and easily transportable thing that you can screw onto the valve tip. |
| Tire pressure gauge (optional) | This is the gadget that helps you check the correct air pressure in your tires. | Yes, some pumps include built-in gauges; and digital ones offer higher accuracy. |
How to Pump a Bike Tire with a Presta Valve
This is actually a step by step guide that will lead you to learning how to pump up bike tires with a Presta valve only, as this one is specifically for Presta valves only so you don’t have to worry about what will work and what won’t.
Step 1: Remove the Valve Cap
Before any other work you’ll need to remove the small plastic cap on the top of the Presta valve, which was actually placed there to prevent dirt and dust from getting into the valve.
Now, you have to twist it with your fingers until it comes out completely, you’ll need to keep it in a safe place so you can put it back in once you are done.
Step 2: Unscrew the Valve Tip
After removing the cap, you will need to look at the top part of the metal valve, where you will see a small piece that can be rotated.
Simply use your fingers to open it slightly, about two rotations, which will open the valve so air can flow in.
And now, if you press the tip lightly with your finger you will hear a little puff of air, which means it is fine and completely normal.
Step 3: Attach the Pump Head
Now, you have to attach the bike pump to the presta valve, just look at your pump if it has two holes then you have to use the smaller one which is for the presta valve.
Simply press the pump head onto the valve tip gently, but you need to do it firmly and then flip the lever that is located on the pump head: which actually locks it in place so you can pump air without worrying about removal because it will not come out of the valve.
Step 4: Inflate the Tire
To fill air in the tire you have to start pumping slowly, it is normal to feel resistance, as soon as the air goes into the tire, you start feeling resistance, do not worry about it.
Keep an eye on the pressure if your pump has a gauge, and remember that most road bike tires require 80 to 120 PSI, and for mountain bikes it’s about 30 to 50 PSI, so you’ll need to pump air accordingly.
If you don’t know what the ideal PSI value is for your bike tires, simply check the side of your tire and you will find the recommended pressure range.
Stop pumping when you have reached the correct pressure and the tire has been successfully inflated.
Step 5: Detach Pump and Close Valve
Once you have verified that your tire is fully inflated, turn the lever on the pump head backward to unlock it, and then gently pull the pump off the valve.
And yes, you will hear a little bit of air coming out, as this is completely normal, don’t worry about it at all.
Now to tighten the small valve tip, turn the small valve tip down until it is fully tightened.
Finally, you have to put the plastic cap back on to keep the valve clean and protected from all kinds of outside dust and elements.
Common Mistakes That You Should Avoid While Pumping the Bike Tire with Presta Valve
Yes, it will become very simple to pump a tire with a Presta Valve once you learn it, and yes many beginners make small mistakes that can literally cause problems, So these are the most common ones and how you will be able to avoid them easily.
1. Not Unscrewing the Valve Tip
Yes, this is one of the most common mistakes and that is forgetting to open the small top part of the Presta valve before pumping.
This is also very important, because if this part is blocked, the tire will not hold any air no matter how hard you pump.
So always turn the small valve tip to the left until it can no longer rotate freely, and to check whether it is open: Just press the tip quickly and if you hear a small hiss of air, it means it is now ready for pumping.
2. Not Attaching the Pump Head Properly
If your pump head isn’t attached to the valve correctly or doesn’t go in at all, air leaks are common.
So you have to make sure that you press the pump head all the way onto the valve and then turn the locking lever which really secures it tight.
And if you still feel it is loose or moving don’t think twice, just remove it and try again, as a good seal is important so you don’t have to waste energy or air.
3. Over-tightening the Valve Cap
Over-tightening the valve cap is also a mistake that you should avoid, so once you have finished pumping it is now important to close the valve tip and tighten the plastic cap back on correctly.
But just make sure not to tighten the cap too much, otherwise it will be difficult to remove later and may also wear out the cap or damage the valve threads over time.
Because it only needs to fit snugly, not too tight, just keep that in mind: turn it until it clicks gently into place, and that’s it.
4. Forgetting to Check the Recommended PSI
You should know what the PSI (pounds per square inch) value of your tires is, because each bicycle tire is made to safely handle a certain amount of air pressure.
And you will usually find this information written on the side of the tire, so if you fill up with much less air than recommended your ride will feel slower and a lot more bumpy.
Or if you inflate too much, you could risk a tire burst, so always check the tire’s recommended PSI range before pumping.
You can check the PSI value when inflating tires using a pump with a built-in pressure gauge, or a separate pressure tester is also available to make sure you have put in the correct pressure.
Conclusion
Presta valves are made specifically for bikes that require high air pressure, like road bikes or racing bikes.
In fact, Presta valves can easily hold over 100 PSI, which helps riders go faster with less effort.
But it is very important to know the correct way to use a bike pump for Presta valve, so that you can use it easily.
Just stick to this process and you will easily be able to inflate your bike tires correctly, and it is a good method of maintenance too.
Simply check your bike’s tire pressure as it is the most important part of bike care.
Maintaining the correct pressure in bike tires helps your bike to ride much faster and smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use a regular car pump on a Presta valve?
No, you should not use the car pump directly as car pumps are made for Schrader Valves which is wider, but you can use a Presta-to-Schrader adapter: this is the small metal piece that will allows you to use car pump on a Presta Valve.
Q2. What if I hear air hissing when I remove the pump?
This is completely normal, a little bit of air will leak out when you unlock and remove the pump after you’ve filled the tire with air, so this isn’t a problem.
Q3. What happens if I don’t open the valve before pumping?
Air simply won’t get into the tire, and because of this you might think the pump is broken, so you’ll need to open the top of the Presta valve before connecting the pump.
Read Also
👉How To Pump A Bike Tire With A Schrader Valve
Jonathan, the passionate owner of Bicycle Time, brings a lifelong love for bikes and automotive craftsmanship, that reflects into every corner of the shop. With deep passion in both cycling and automotive accessories, Jonathan is more than just an expert.