How to Check Bike Tire Pressure? Simple Instructions and Tips!

Checking your bike's tire pressure frequently is very significant, and this article sums up everything you need to know about checking bikes' tire pressure.
By
John Watson
John Watson
Writer
John is an experienced cycling enthusiast and a great asset when it comes to writing skills. He's a Bachelor of Arts and a talented journalist. John is in charge of our blog read more
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Jessica Kingston
Jessica Kingston
Expert Consultant
Jessica is our expert consultant on all things connected to biking - gear, technique, you name it. Being a pro cyclist in the past, she knows exactly how things work in and read more
Last updated: September 07, 2023
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Biking can be very interesting and rejuvenating, and while it’s easy to bask in this pleasurable and heartwarming activity, there are necessary things you have to take note of before you start pedaling. And, one of those things is knowing how to check bike tire pressure. Irrespective of where or when you’re riding, you must pay attention to tire pressure; maybe you please yourself to an easy stroll on a hybrid or cruiser, you’re on your mountain bike hitting singletrack trails, or your road biking. It’s up to you to determine the riding preference and situation you want and the choice you make in properly inflating your tires is what backs up what you choose.

What is tire pressure, and why is it important?

The significance of tire pressure cannot be downplayed. For your safety, while riding, you have to put your road bike tire air pressure into cognizance. Many mishaps could occur when you don’t check your bike’s air pressure, and you might as well make your tires vulnerable to unpleasant compression punctures when you do not check. And as earlier mentioned, you don’t need a gauge all the time to determine the pressure, but you can, of course, make use of an air pressure gauge if you want to get an accurate measurement. There are usually PSI labels on tires, but most times, they tend not to be accurate. Nevertheless, take note that the volume of air pressure your tire will be needing is largely affected by its width. For example, high-quality mountain bikes such as the Schwinn Mesa Adult Mountain Bike tend to need lower pressures than the higher pressures needed by thinner tires of road bikes. To increase your tire’s longevity and improve your riding performance, it’s expedient that you conduct regular checking. Quality bikes with quality tires aren’t much out there on the market these days, but experts have recommended the Huffy Hardtail Mountain Trail Bike for those who seek a responsive and comfortable cycling experience.

Checking bike tire pressure

When checking your bike’s tire pressure, you have two major options to choose from. That is, you can either choose to get more precise by getting a gauge or oblige to the other plenty of alternative mediums to determine your tire’s pressure.

Using a gauge

How to Check Bike Tire Pressure? Simple Instructions and Tips!
The first option you have in checking your bike’s tire pressure is using a gauge, and this option is very straightforward and accurate.

Now, before you proceed to inflate or gauge, you must foremost look for the range because you need to refer to it. And, you can always find this on the side of the tire.

Take note that all kinds of bikes have their range available on their tires.

Once you’ve been able to spot the psi range and you now know it, then it’s time to get active. Your gauge is to be placed on the valve; weighing it down, and you’ll see the pressure displayed as the gauge’s needle moves. You can keep alternating between the tire gauge and the air pump till you arrive at the level of pressure you need. Though this method isn’t that difficult, getting a pump with a built-in gauge can help to make the process less stressful than it may be.

Checking pressure without a gauge

Once you choose this method, you should know that you have a handful of options to choose from in checking pressure without a gauge. Nevertheless, you should know that these methods cannot offer you a very precise reading, and it’s recommended that you get a tire gauge if you’re a new rider. But, if you’re versed with how your mountain bike tires or any bike you ride should feel and you’re so in sync with your bike as a seasoned rider, this method could work best for you. Don’t get it twisted; it’s not a bad idea to check pressure without a gauge, but you should have it registered in your consciousness that getting a precise measurement with this method isn’t feasible, but you would be very close to the right answer you need.

Test by feel

There’s this connection and in-depth understanding you’ll have with your bike when you start getting more familiar with it and become more adept in riding. With this experience and relationship with your bike Trusted Source Connection to bicycles reinforces connection to self, others and community | Folio Bike lanes contribute to making functional infrastructure for everyone on the road. They are a feasible way of moving a great amount of traffic by using spaces designated for each type: pedestrians, automobiles or cyclists. Yes, the speed has to be slower, but now the flow is continuous because the traffic can be closer. And, high speeds diminish the livability of a city. What are most people nostalgic for? They are nostalgic for that slow-moving lifestyle, when kids could go out and play on their street. High speeds don’t let kids ride bikes. www.ualberta.ca , there’s a great possibility for you to know when your tires need air.

Aside from telling when your tire needs air, you’ll also be able to know when your tires have too much air in them as a seasoned rider. You’re likely to find obstacles somewhat unpleasant and possibly insurmountable when your tire needs inflation.

It may be difficult to maneuver with the bike, and everything may feel quite sloppy. On the flip side, you may enjoy less stability due to the massive loss in traction and be exposed to unnecessary and implicating bounces and movements when your tire is excessively inflated. The air overdose will make your tire seem hyper than normal.

Pinch test

How to Check Bike Tire Pressure? Simple Instructions and Tips!
Virtually every bicyclist who starts riding from way back will probably be aware of this style.

This style was a very common way to check the air pressure back then, and it’s also referred to as pinch check or thumb check. Just as the name suggests, all you have to do is to feel tightness by pinching the sidewalls of the tire. With the response you get, you’ll be able to guess the level of pressure needed.

Check the sag

One thing about this style is that you need another rider who’s riding beside you to tell you how your tires are doing. Because your tires will flatten further down the moment you sit down, it may not be easy for you to check your bike’s tire pressure. But the rider next to you will be able to see the performance of the tires while you’re riding and see the way it’s flattening. This rider can also help you ensure that the tire gets the needed pressure since they have observed the tire’s performance while in action.

Puddle trick

As the name suggests, the puddle trick, this checking style may be quite tricky. Some riders believe that with a puddle, you can be aware of your tire’s pressure. It’s believed that if your tires need air, their sidewalls will attract a significant amount of water. However, this process isn’t usually an easy one because you must find a very short puddle, and you must ride very slowly.

How to know if a bike tire has enough air?

Knowing if a bike tire needs air is half the battle; knowing if it’s got the air it needs is very important. Normally, you should know if your bike tires are under-inflated if you ride frequently, but a common problem most riders have is knowing if their tire already has enough air needed. Even with a tire pressure gauge, many still fall victim to putting excess air in their tires. And given how important it is to not over-inflate your tires, there are some methods you can use to be assured that your tires already have enough air needed.

The first method is the test ride. Yes. Giving your bike a test ride is a great way to see if the tires already have enough air and if you’re gauging without a tire gauge, you will find this option necessary.

You’ll know there’s too much air in your tires when you feel a loss of traction or you do not enjoy your usual stability. On the flip side, your bike would feel responsive and tacky when the tire has the appropriate amount of air it needs. Another way to check if the air is enough is by checking the sag. You should be able to see how your tire sags if you’re patient enough or your friend is with you. This style works best for seasoned riders. A pinch check can also help you determine the appropriate pressure. This method has been valid for several decades, and it’s still very potent. All you have to do is to pinch the sidewalls of your tire. Know that there’s excessive air if you find it difficult to pinch inward a bit.

What happens if you put too much air in your bike tires?

As a bicyclist, you’re vulnerable to filling your bike tires with excess air on some occasions, regardless of how apt you’re in riding. However, you should know that this act has its consequences. The first one is less rolling resistance. When you overinflate your tire, you may at first enjoy good speed and swiftness when you’re riding on smooth and fast surfaces, but you may end up riding slower, tossed in a different direction, and waste your energy when you hit a minor bump. You can also suffer massive traction loss. Your bike will become less stable, and it will not sustain optimal grip. You’re also susceptible to extra bounce and rebound with excessive air in your tire. Your bike will become overly responsive, stiff, and tight. It will be very easy for it to get tossed around by small bumps, and all these preventable bounces and rebounds may put your safety at risk. Sure, there are lots of quality, durable, and affordable bikes for women and men alike, but your bike tires are likely to get popped or damaged when they’re over-inflated because your tubes and tires will be subjected to the persistent force of the intense air pressure.

Final Thoughts

Your tires are an integral and worthy component of your bike, and they do have a say on your riding experience because they’re like the mediator between you and the ground. Thus, it’s advised that you constantly check your tire pressure if you ride frequently. Luckily, checking your tire pressure doesn’t come with much hassle. While you have the option of getting more precise by utilizing a tire pressure gauge, there are also ways by which you can check the pressure without using a tire pressure gauge. Plus, this method will come in very handy on days when you don’t have your tire pressure gauge with you. And this article has already exposed you to how to check bike tire pressure regardless of the method you choose.

References

1.
Connection to bicycles reinforces connection to self, others and community | Folio
Bike lanes contribute to making functional infrastructure for everyone on the road. They are a feasible way of moving a great amount of traffic by using spaces designated for each type: pedestrians, automobiles or cyclists. Yes, the speed has to be slower, but now the flow is continuous because the traffic can be closer. And, high speeds diminish the livability of a city. What are most people nostalgic for? They are nostalgic for that slow-moving lifestyle, when kids could go out and play on their street. High speeds don’t let kids ride bikes.

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