Written By: Jonathan
Fact Checked By: Caroline Dezendorf
Reviewed By: Matt Tanner
Bicycle tires get punctured often and knowing how to pump up a bike tire is the most important part of bicycle maintenance.
Plus, without enough air in the tires, you’ll experience a bumpy, unsafe, and slow ride no matter if all the other parts are new or of high quality.
Other than that, you also need to make sure that your tires are not over-inflated as this can cause your bicycle to burst or wear out quickly.
If your bike uses a Schrader valve, you need to learn How To Pump A Bike Tire With A Schrader Valve with accuracy, as it is one of the most common valve types found on bicycles.
Yes, the Schrader valve is the same type of valve used in car tires, and is wider and shorter than the other common Presta valve type.
You may also see Schrader valves on mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, and kids’ bikes, as Schrader valves are strong, durable, and easy to use.
You can easily recognize a Schrader valve by its wide metal stem and the small pin in the center, which completely controls the air flow.
The good news is that Schrader valves are actually compatible with almost all standard bike pumps and even gas station air pumps have these valves fitted.
So, this is the guide in which we will give you all the information you need to know about using a bike pump with a Schrader valve.
What Is a Schrader Valve?
Simply, A Schrader Valve is a type of air valve which is used to inflate the tires whenever you need, it is the kind of valve likely as car tires that’s why you will find it very familiar and easy to use as well.
Schrader Valve has a thick, round metal body with a small pin in the middle that actually controls the air flows in or out of the tire.
Not only this, it also has a spring-loaded mechanism inside that actually keeps it sealed tight unless you’re pumping the air or releasing it on purpose otherwise it will always keeps it sealed tight.
If we talk about the sturdiness of Schrader Valves, these are less likely to bend or break compared to the other valve types like the Presta Valve, and this is the reason that it commonly found on Mountain Bikes, BMX bikes, Kids Bikes, and even many hybrid bikes uses it.
Plus, they are actually designed for a purpose to handle high pressure and rough use, that makes them ideal for everyday cyclists and casual rider as well.
These are found on most of the air-pumps that’s why you can say that Schrader Valves are so popular in terms of compatibility.
Not only this, there is the plastic or metal cap is available with that you can screws onto the top of the Schrader valve that keeps the dirt and moisture out of contact. This is very small part but actually helps to protect the valve and keep the air sealed inside.
If you ever lose the cap then you have to replace the cap as it prevent slow leaks or prevents damage as well.
Tools To Pump A Bike Tire With A Schrader Valve
| Tool | Purpose | Tips/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bike Pump (Schrader-compatible) | This pumps air into the tire through the Schrader valve. | Most of the floor pumps and hand pumps work with Schrader valves, dual-head pumps are ideal for you. |
| Tire Pressure Gauge | This is to measure the air pressure inside the tire. | Yes, this is completely optional if your pump has a built-in gauge as it prevents over- or under-inflation. |
| Valve Cap (already on tire) | This actually provides protection to the valve from dust, dirt and moisture. | Always close the cap after filling your tire with air and if it gets lost it is inexpensive to replace. |
| Valve Adapter (if needed) | It actually allows Presta-only pumps to work with Schrader valves if you have a Presta compatible pump only. | This is only needed if your pump does not support a Schrader valve. |
How To Pump A Bike Tire With A Schrader Valve (Step-by-Step Guide)
1. Check Tire Pressure
Before you actually start filling air into your tire, you need to look at the sidewall of your bicycle tire, because there you will see the “PSI” value and it usually ranges between 40 to 65 PSI.
And PSI stands for pounds per square inch, which is actually the unit used to measure tire pressure.
This means that if you want to be on the safe side of your tires then it shows the minimum and maximum pressure your tire can safely handle.
Yes, it is very important to not go above or below this limit and you don’t need to go below it as it will slow you down and can damage the tire, also you don’t want to over inflate the tire which can be really unsafe and can cause it to wear out faster.
2. Remove the Valve Cap
As the Schrader valve has a small screw-on cap on the top of the valve, and you just need to turn it anticlockwise that is to the left with your fingers to remove it easily.
Keep the cap in your pocket or somewhere safe with you so you don’t lose it.
This is important because it really helps protect the valve from dirt, dust, and moisture, but it will need to be removed in order to connect the pump.
3. Attach the Pump Head to the Valve
Now, you need to open the bike pump and press it directly onto the open Schrader valve.
And you have to make sure that it’s lined up correctly and you have to push it in firmly, so that the pump head completely covers the valve.
You may hear a slight hiss of air, and this is completely normal and nothing to worry about, as you too might have heard hissing sound many times while inflating the tires.
And its goal is to create a strong seal between the valve and the pump so that no air can escape while inflating the tire.
4. Secure the Pump Head
Mostly all bike pumps comes with the lever on the pump head, and once the pump head is pressed correctly onto the valve.
Then you’ll usually need to rotate the lever 90 degrees.
This process locks the pump in place and you do not have to worry about air leakage while pumping.
If you see that the lever is already up, you have to push it down, yes the correct position also depends on your pump model. But you need to make sure that a secure connection means better air flow and easier pumping.
5. Pump Air into the Tire
Now, all the setup is done and now you need to start pumping, just hold the handle of the pump and move it up and down steadily, the more air you put in, the more resistance you will feel, keep going until the tire feels solid when you press it with your fingers, or you can use a pressure gauge to check if your bicycle tires have the correct PSI range.
6. Monitor the Pressure
If your pump has a built-in pressure gauge keep an eye on it while pumping, simply stop pumping when the gauge shows the recommended PSI on your tire.
If you want to use a separate tire pressure gauge, just stop after a few pumps to check the pressure by pressing the gauge onto the valve, this method will definitely help you avoid putting in too much or too little air.
7. Remove Pump Head
When you see that the tire is properly inflated, unlock the pump by returning the lever to its original position, then pull the pump head straight off the valve.
Just pull it out smoothly at the angle it was locked at, and a small hiss when removing the pump is normal, but just make sure the tire remains fully inflated.
8. Replace the Valve Cap
Now, this is the final step where you have to put the valve cap back on by turning it clockwise, as this seems like a very small step but it keeps the valve clean and sealed.
Yes, it protects the valve from dirt, water and debris which can sometimes cause problems later.
Conclusion
Inflating air in bike tires may seem like a very small task, but it actually plays a big role in how comfortable, safe and truly enjoyable your rides is.
So after reading this guide on how to pump a bike tire with a Schrader valve, and you have learned it correctly and this is very important bicycle maintenance skill that every rider should at least know.
FAQ’s On How To Pump A Bike Tire With A Schrader Valve
Q1. Can I use any bike pump with a Schrader valve?
Yes, most standard bike pumps are Schrader-compatible, but yes some are designed only for Presta valves. And your pump has two holes, meaning it’s a dual head or has a switchable head, you just need to make sure you’re using the Schrader side. If your pump only fits Presta then there is Schrader adapter available in the market and it is really very cheap and easy to use, just don’t worry about it.
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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.