What types of modern bicycle pumps are there

What types of modern bicycle pumps are there

A bicycle pump is an attribute of cycling equipment that you must have with you while riding, so that if necessary, you can pump up the tires at any time. For a portable option, it is better to choose a compact and lightweight pump that fits in a small bag or is attached to the frame of a bicycle.

The simplest option is a compact hand pump without a pressure gauge, which has a standard car nipple. However, such pumps are not very suitable for bicycles with large wheels, since inflating the tires will not be very fast.

A pneumatic pump is the best option for athletes who participate in cycling races and various competitions where there is a need for ultra-fast tire inflation. Replaceable cartridges containing air under high pressure are inserted into the pneumatic pump. On average, one can is enough to fully inflate a wheel. Pneumatic pumps are not cheap, so they are most often used by cyclists, for whom every second counts.

A bicycle floor pump is a stationary device that is used to quickly inflate wheels to a pressure of 12 atmospheres or higher. Such pumps are reliable and practical, but they are expensive and take up a lot of space in the apartment. Floor pumps are automatic and mechanical. Of the mechanical models, the most comfortable are the foot ones.

Bicycle pumps with pressure gauge

All professional pump models are equipped with a pressure gauge. Using such pumps, you will not pump the wheels above the permissible pressure. Some cheap and compact pumps are also equipped with pressure gauges, but the accuracy of pressure measurement in cheap pumps has a significant error.
Based on the pressure gauge readings, you should take into account that the wheels are inflated to the maximum permissible pressure if you plan to drive on asphalt and smooth city roads. For driving on rough terrain, sand and mud, it is better to inflate the wheels to the lower pressure limit.

High pressure bicycle pumps

This type of pump is not used to inflate the wheels, but rather to pump air into the air suspension fork on the front wheel. Therefore, these pumps are designed for mountain bikes with air shock absorbers. It is quite difficult to inflate the shock absorber with a conventional hand pump, since the air in the fork can be under a pressure of about 14 atmospheres.

Universal portable pumps

There are pump models that are suitable for both wheel inflation and suspension forks. They are equipped with a set of replaceable nipples, a pressure gauge, an air chamber and valves for inflating pneumatic shock absorbers. The main disadvantage of such pumps is their high price.

How to inflate a bicycle tire

Riding a bike is pure pleasure, especially when you're riding downhill and on well-inflated tires. Before you go on a bike ride, make sure your tire pressure is correct. Otherwise, even a short trip can turn into a severe test, or even lead to the failure of the bike.

You will need:
- pressure gauge;
- Bicycle Pump.

Place the bike in a position that is convenient for servicing, such as leaning it against a wall. The bicycle must be stable and the nipple inlet must be positioned so that the pump can be used comfortably.

Check to see if your bike's wheels need tire pressure adjustment. If the tire is not fully inflated, movement becomes more difficult because the area of contact between the tire and the road increases. In addition, insufficient pressure often leads to tire disassembly and increases the likelihood of rim damage. In the case where the wheel is obviously overinflated, the tire may explode, which is also undesirable.

Use a tire pressure gauge to check your tire pressure. Normal tire pressure can be indicated in the technical data sheet of the bicycle; Sometimes the maximum pressure is indicated on the side of the tire (in atmospheres or bars). When using a pressure gauge, use the scale of this device that is convenient for you, since it can be graduated in two or even three units of measurement.

When inflating a tire for the first time, let all the air out of the tire first. To do this, press the nipple tongue and hold it for a while.

After making sure that the air has left the wheel and the pressure is zero, attach the pump head to the nipple. When starting to inflate the wheel, count the number of pumps you make. This is necessary so that later, knowing the required number of movements, you can inflate the tires without the help of a pressure gauge.

From time to time, disconnect the pump from the valve, connect a pressure gauge and check the tire pressure. An optimally inflated wheel will be one whose pressure is approximately 5-6% below the maximum permissible level.

After inflating the wheel to the required level, disconnect the pump and screw on the nipple cap. Repeat the entire procedure with the second wheel. Your bike is ready for further endurance testing.

What types of modern bicycle pumps are there

Bicycle pumps with pressure gauge

High pressure bicycle pumps

Universal portable pumps

How to inflate a bicycle tire

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