How do i know when my bike tire has enough air in it.?

Question

if i use a hand pump..how do i know when there is a good amount of air in my tire? The wheels are fairly flat because its a new bike..and they usually have flat tires on purpose.

Answer 1

If you don't have access to a gauge you should inflate your tire so that it compresses no more than 10 to 15 percent of its total height.  With skinny road bike tires this will probably be rock hard.  With touring, hybrid or mountain bike tires it will be considerably softer.

Answer 2

The pressure noted on the side of the tire is the MAXIMUM recommended pressure, not necessarily the pressure to which you should inflate.

You should inflate the tires to a firmness that considers your weight and your riding conditions.  On rough, uneven surfaces, tires that are inflated too hard will tend to bounce over those surface imperfections, contributing excessive jarring to the rider while decreasing handling and forward momentum.  Taking a bit of air out can improve the ride.  If you're a light rider, you can take more air out.  Too little pressure can leave your tires more vulnerable to flatting.  Heavy riders or those riding on smooth surfaces might prefer more air pressure, something close to the max.

Having a pressure gauge, or preferably a floor pump w/gauge as previously noted, will make it easier for you to find the pressure that works best for you and keep it there.  Pumps aren't expensive...and air is free.

Bikes have flat tires because the air gradually migrates outside the tube.  All bicycle tires require regular inflation due to this.  High pressure road tires should be checked every ride.

Answer 3

As E.B. says, the amount of PSI stamped on the sidewall is a maximum.  It is not necessarily the amount you need to use.  In most cases, you will get the fastest ride with less than the maximum.  As E.B. nicely explained, filling your tires to the maximum pressure means you'll go bouncing rather than rolling down the road or trail.

Unfortunately, you don't tell us what kind of bike you have, the amount you weigh and the type of riding you do.  Each of these issues influences the amount of air you need in your tire.  In general, the narrower the tire, the more pressure you need.  For a narrow, road bike tire 90-110 psi is a good starting point.  For a mid-width hybrid type tire used on smooth roads 60-70 psi should be good.  Wide mountain bike tires can be run from 25-40 psi.

Here is the rule: you need the least amount of pressure required to prevent pinch flats.  A pinch flat occurs when an inadequately inflated tire hits an obstruction.  With inadequate pressure, the tire will compress around the obstruction and pinches the tube between the rim and the obstruction.  The tell tale sign of a pinch flat is a double puncture looking like a snakebite.  If you ever get a pinch flat, you know you need to add about 5 psi to the pressure you usually run.

The one thing that is universal to all types of tires is a hand pump is only good for emergency use.  Regardless of how much air your tires need, getting them properly inflated with a hand pump is hard work.  So, carry the hand pump for flats that occur mid-ride.  Get yourself a good quality floor pump with a gauge for everyday usage.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

On the side of the tire it should give you the amount of air to put in. If not, just pump until tire is rock hard.

Answer 5

buy a tire gauge (0ne or two dollars at most stores) and check the recommended tire pressure on the sidewall of the tire.  Pump it up with air, check frequently, and stop when you get the recommended tire pressure.

Answer 6

The recommended pressure is stamped on the side of the tire. To get an accurate reading, use a floor pump with a built-in pressure gauge or use a tire gauge for schrader or presta valves depending on your valve type. (If it's a schrader valve, you can use the same gauge as you would for a car)

Answer 7

On the side of the tire is the amount of air needed in psi.  You will need a tire gage if your pump does not have one.  The better floor pumps come with a gage....highly recommend you get a floor pump .... work much better / faster than the hand pump.  Not sure what type of bike you have, but my road tires take 106 psi, my previous road tires took 120...so it is very important that you locate the psi number on the side walls of your bike's tires.  My mountain bike rides best at 60 psi.  Good luck and happy riding.