Picture this: You’re just starting out on a ride and you notice your bike isn’t moving as smoothly as it was last week; it’s not cornering as well, either. Before assuming you somehow lost all your bike-handling skills overnight, check your tyre pressure – it might be time for an arm workout courtesy of your bike pump. Tyres need the right amount of air to function optimally, and getting them to the right pressure efficiently can require some finesse.
First, remove the plastic cap that might be covering the end of your valve (sometimes these get lost, so no big deal if yours is missing.) Then unscrew the tiny locking nut. Don’t be shy; the nut won’t fall off, so there’s no need to worry about unscrewing it too much. Give it a couple of taps to make sure it’s moving – you should be able to hear and feel a bit of air come out out. (If you have a Shrader valve, you can skip this step.)
Before you pump, check the sidewall of your tyre: It should list the pressure range that your tyre can safely handle. Typically, a road tyre can go between 5 and 9bar, while a mountain tyre holds between 2 and 3bar. Where your personal pressure preference falls within the range for your tyre will depend on your weight and riding style – play around with it and figure out what you like!