What is a bicycle valve head? Instructions for properly pumping bicycle valves

The valve head is considered an indispensable part of the bike, as the bridge between the inflator and the tire. However, many of you are still confused about the valve head, as well as how to properly pump the bicycle valve, see the article below for detailed information!

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What is a bicycle valve head?

The valve head is one of the indispensable accessories and has a fairly small size of the bike. Not only that, it also plays an important role, functioning as a bridge between the inflator and the tire.

At the same time, this component is also used to keep the air in the tire so that the tire is always in a state of tension, which makes the process of moving and cycling easier and lighter.

There are many types of vehicle valves such as: Schrader valve, Presta valve, Dunlop valve , … in which screw valve is a common valve used in bicycles.

Structure of the screw valve head

Outer structure:

• Valve body: Usually made of copper, cylindrical, 6 – 8 mm in length is a pipe for air to circulate out and into the inner tube/tire.
• Positioning screw: A large screw outside the valve body, which has the effect of locating the valve on the rim.
• Air retaining screw: A small screw on the top of the valve, has the function of opening / closing the valve so that the air is not circulated in the tube / tire.
• Valve cap: Usually made from rubber material, has the role of protecting the top of the valve.

Internal structure:

• Spindle: Acts as the grip of the rubber valve.
• Rubber valve: Is the door that opens / closes the function of air circulation in / out.
• Spring: Combined with the upper gas retaining screw, it has the effect of adjusting the height of the shaft to close or open the valve.
• Valve wall layers: Smaller than the outer valve body and short, have the same role as the wall so that the rubber valve door can be opened and closed.

Advantages and disadvantages of screw head

Advantage:

• The screw valve head has a simple structure, easy to install and use .
• The operation of removing the valve to drain the air out of the tube/tire is quite easy.
• In addition, the device also has the ability to hold gas at high pressure well .

Defect:

• The ability to keep gas at low pressure is not good, steam is easy to get out.
• The valve head has a small, thin design, so it is easy to break.
• Not compatible with some tires and large valves .

How to properly pump a bicycle valve

Pump valve Schrader

Van Schrader, also known as the American valve, is commonly used with cars and mountain bikes. The valve stem is covered with a threaded valve core, to deflate the user needs a tool or a small object such as a pen cap to press on the valve head. To open the valve, you just need to remove the rubber cap at the top.

Pumping the Schrader valve you need to perform the following steps:

Step 1: Open the Schrader valve

First you remove the valve cover and put it in a safe place.

Step 2: Find PSI

You need to find the recommended PSI (number printed on the tire tread and include a range) for the tire. Your tire PSI should not be lower or higher than the recommended limit . Because it will damage the tube and tire.

Step 3: Select pump

Find the most suitable pump to pump the Schrader valve. If you have a Schrader valve there is no need for an adapter . However, you must regularly monitor the tire inflation pressure to avoid exploding the tube, then conduct a pressure check after each operation.

Normally, the gas pump has a high pressure, if not careful, a tire explosion is likely to occur. If your pump has 2 pumps , the larger one is for the Schrader valve.

The smart car pump once opened automatically adjusts to the Schrader valve. If the pump with an opening requires you to reverse a rubber stopper inside to match the Schrader valve. Remove the cover and find the rubber stopper.

Step 4: Inflate the tire to let air into the tire

Remove the rubber cap on the valve and keep it in a safe place if you don’t want to get confused, then place the pump on the valve if there is a lever near the pump nozzle, make sure it is in the open position ( parallel to the pump nozzle). ).

Next, you pull the lever down to the closed position ( perpendicular to the pump nozzle ) when it turns on. Then hold the valve firmly to avoid the strong pressure from turning on the pump nozzle. Stop the pump when the required pressure is reached, then pull the lever back, then screw the rubber cap installed on the valve.

Pump Valve Presta

The Presta valve, also known as the Sclaverand or French valve, is commonly used for high-end road bikes . This valve is designed to be longer and narrower than the diameter of the Schrader valve.

In addition, the Presta valve is attached to an external valve body and is protected by a valve cover, instead of being surrounded by a valve core.

Pump Presta valve you need to do the following steps:

Step 1: Open the Presta . valve

You remove the cap cap on the valve and store it in a safe, easy to remember place. Next, loosen the small brass bolt on the valve body, it won’t fully open but you can raise the valve core slightly.

You need to loosen the cap and press on the valve body to check, if the air comes out similar to an explosion then you must have loosened enough.

Step 2: Find the recommended PSI

You need to find the recommended PSI (number printed on the tire tread and include a range) for the tire. Your tire PSI should not be lower or higher than the recommended limit . Because it will damage the tube and tire.

Step 3: Find a suitable pump to pump the Presta . valve

To pump the Presta valve you need a Presta adapter head which is a small cap that can screw onto the Presta valve and it basically turns into a Schrader valve. For older car pumps, you need a presta-appropriate regulator.

When using a gas pump, you should know how to measure the pressure when inflating tires , to avoid cases of tire explosion and check the tire pressure every time. Usually, this pump has a large pressure, if not pumped properly, can cause the tire to explode at any time.

If you use a 2 nozzle pump , the smaller end is the Presta valve. The smart pump will automatically open and adjust to the Presta valve.

Also, there are some pumps with openings where you have to turn the rubber stopper inside to fit the valve. Proceed to remove the cap, and find the inner rubber stopper that fits the Presta valve . The smaller end fits into the head of the Presta valve.

Step 4: Inflate the tire

Remove the valve cap and loosen the copper cap on the top of the valve to open the Presta valve, then place the pump on the valve if there is a lever near the pump nozzle, make sure it is in the open position ( parallel to the pump nozzle ).

Next, you pull the lever down to the closed position ( perpendicular to the pump nozzle ) when it turns on. Then keep one side above pressure while pumping. Finally turn the lever over to remove the pump and tighten the brass cap.

Woods . Valve Pump

Valve Woods, also known as Dunlop valve , is commonly used in Asia and Europe, similar in size to Schrader valves. However, the mechanism uses the same mechanism as a Presta valve, while pumping the same way as the Presta valve.

Thus, Tnhelearning.edu.vn has finished instructing how to pump the bicycle valve properly, simply and quickly. Wishing you success!