Bike tire inflation?

Question

Hi,

I have a racing bike with 700c tires (120 psi max) and the tubes packaging say not to inflate with a compressor. I have a hand pump but no way can I get that high, I can't even get it high enough for a proper ride (it's an old pump).

So I was wondering, why does my tube packaging say not to pump with an air compressor? Is there a special reason and what would happen if I do? I need to put air in my tire and don't feel like buying a expensive air pump.

Thanks,

Bryan

Answer 1

Compressors intended for inflating car and truck tires can provide so much air so quickly that you can damage a bicycle tire and perhaps even the rim. Before I learned this from the bicycle pundits, I inflated my bike tires at the local filling station time after time without a problem. Be careful, because the pressure gauges on car/truck inflation compressors are not always accurate. The floor hand pump is best. Mine was about $20 at Performance. I also have a small electric home compressor that I've used for many years without a problem. The hand compressor is faster and easier for bikes.

HTH

Answer 2

Compressors have been known to result in large, fiery explosions when inflating bike tires.

Answer 3

A hand or foot pump is a compressor.  Its just slower.  The only reasons I can think of not to use a compressor, are 1) compressors tend to build up water in there tanks and so, may pump some water into the tube and 2) the gauges on compressors are not always accurate and the warning is really meant to say, don't trust the compressor gauge.....cause it might be reading low and pump up the tire to 200 psi.... and you know... explode the tire and hurt you.

Answer 4

The only reason it says that is that it is easy to over inflate with a compressor. If you are very careful you can use one. BTW, you can buy a good bike pump for $20 to $30.

Answer 5

Your road tires don't hold a large volume of air.  They just hold a small volume at high pressure.  Compressors pump a high volume making it very easy to blow up the tire.  Buy a good floor pump, they'll set you back about $20, maybe $50 for a really good one.  An old or cheap hand pump will be hard pressed to achieve 120psi.  You probably don't need to go to 120psi, that's the max for the tire not the suggested psi.  100psi should be fine.  If you need to go higher to keep the tire from compressing all the way to the rim you need a wider tire.

Answer 6

The air pumps at gas stations are designed to be used for car tires, and inflate very rapidly. To inflate a bike tire, a 1-2 second burst is usually enough. To inflate a car tire with a pump for bike tires would take about three minutes. If you stop at a gas station to inflate your tires, be prepared to pay $.50 or $.75, quarters only. Air used to be free.

One time, I stopped at a gas station to inflate my tires, and a few minutes later, I had a blowout. I inflated the tires to 120 PSI, 25% more than recommended, and felt good until the blowout..