goRide’s Quick and Easy Guide to Bike Tools to Carry. Let’s gain some knowledge about the bike pump. Learn what it is, why you would use it and how to use it.
What is a Mini Bike Pump
Bike Pumps put air into your tyres through a pumping action which pushes air into your bike tube. So all pumps will have some sort of barrel and a handle. They need to have a connection point where you attach it to your tube valve. These connection points are quite varied.
Hand or Mini pumps are smaller and designed to be carried with you on your rides. They have a handle for pumping and connectors to attach to the valve on your tube. These pumps are less efficient but essential and very welcomed when you need to get air into your tyres or change your tube while out riding.
Why you would use it.
Bike pumps are used to add air to your bike tube so that could be when your tyre is feeling a little soft – tubes naturally lose air over time. Or when you are replacing a tube or fixing a puncture.
How do you use it.
Attaching the Bike Pump – Your pump will attach to the valve of your bike tube either a schrader or presta valve by either being screwed on or pressed on. Different pumps have different ways and methods to connect to the different valves. All these variations make for a bit of confusion but hang in there, here is an overview.
Whatever the method of connection it is important to get a good seal. If it doesn’t seem to be working and you hear air leaking, stop, take it off and try again.
. A bike pump can have a screw on attachment that self adapts to the valve it is being screwed to.
A bike pump can have both a schrader and a presta attachment in different places.
A bike pump may fit both a presta or a schrader valve but a lever will change the direction of the air flow to match your valve.
Others require you to unscrew, the cap on the end of the pump and remove a rubber insert (this can be a little fiddly to get out). Place the wider hole facing out for the schrader valve or the smaller hole facing out for the presta valve.
Pumping – the pumping action draws air in (the up or out action) and then pushes air through the valve and into the tube (the down or in action).
Removing the Bike Pump. All valves have one way seals in them so the tyre shouldn’t go down when you take the pump off, but you might hear a bit of a hiss when you remove the pump – this is just the last bit of pressure in the pump releasing so don’t worry about it. Release the seal and pull off/unscrew in the same plane as the valve to avoid damaging the valve by bending it.
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
Carrying Gear Buying Guide
Use the full range of gear carrying options to get the right solutions for you and your family.
Ride More Places
Carrying Gear Stories
See the full range of stories & support relating to carrying gear on your bike. Presented on an easy to navigate page.
How Much Water Do You Need?
Hydration is a really important part of riding a bike. This story covers all you need to know about water.
Recreation/Trail Riding - Am I Safe?
When you go out for a ride what will keep you safe? Do you need to plan or prepare in a better way? Lets find out.
Types of Riding Stories
Want more from your riding?
Be supported to Ride as a Family, Progress Your Riding and/or receive Seasonal Inspiration. So you can SMILE when you ride.
All new members are automatically entered into our Seasonal Prize Draw.
SMILE when you ride
Support & Inspire other riders and families
Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes.
All entries are automatically entered into our Seasonal Prize Draw.
