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Bicycle tires

Checking to make sure that your bicycle tires stay inflated is something that is very important to do if you want to be able to ride the bike without problems. To check the pressure of bicycle tires, do the following:

• Buy a pressure gauge – A bicycle tires pressure gauge will be more effective in measuring the pressure in bike tires than auto tire pressure gauges are. If you are buying a bike pump, you may want to spend a couple extra bucks to get one that already has a pressure gauge attached.

• Know the correct amount – It is not advised to simply put air into the tire until it “just looks right.” This can be hard to tell. It is easier to have your gauge nearby and if you look on the side of the tire, you can see the recommended pressure range written there. Owner’s manuals for bikes will often also recommend the amount of pressure bicycle tires should have.

• After you unscrew the valve cover, put it in your pocket or some other place where it will not be hard to find when you are finished. Then, put the pressure gauge on the tire valve. If the gauge has a lever to secure it in place, you should then push the lever down.

• You can find the bicycle tires pressure amounts on the gauge by holding it still and looking for the arrow on the gauge. Most gauges will estimate the pressure down to the tenth of a PSI (pound per square inch). Digital gauges will give you a more exact number.