You have a flat mountain bike tire. Unfortunately, you don’t have a bicycle pump. What should you do?
Many biking experts don’t recommend using a ball pump. However, can you use it if it’s your only one?
Many new cycling enthusiasts have the same dilemma. They’ve been wondering if they can use a ball pump to inflate their bike’s tire.
Fortunately, you’ve come across this article. Now, you can have your answer in an instant.
But, wait! You can also learn more about air pumps. So, kindly read on for more information.
Can A Ball Pump Be Used On A Bike Tire?
If you have a bicycle tire measuring between 16 and 20 inches, you need 60 to 121 psi.
However, your soccer ball only needs 8.5 – 15.6 psi, while your basketball needs 7.5 – 8.5 psi.
Therefore, you need to exert a minimum of eight times more than the effort you spend for inflating a ball.
Using a ball up isn’t your best option in inflating a bike tire because you expend more effort.
Moreover, you need to know your tire’s air pressure requirement. If you should use a ball pump, it’s advisable to use one with an inbuilt pressure gauge.
On the other hand, if the ball pump doesn’t have a pressure gauge, you need to press the tire to ensure its hardness is continuous enough.
Steps to Using a Ball Pump for Your Bike
If you only have a ball pump, you may use it for your bike tire. Follow these steps:
1. Compute Your Preferred Tire Pressure
Refer to the table to learn about your tire’s correct pressure level.
| Type of Bike | Pressure (psi) |
| Road Bike | 80 to 130 |
| Mountain Bike | 25 to 35 |
| Hybrid Bike | 4 to 70 |
| Comfort Bike | 35 to 70 |
2. Link the Air Pump Nozzle to the Tire Valve
After knowing the required tire pressure, you can connect the nozzle to the tire valve.
3. Begin Inflating
Pump the tire based on your tire’s required pressure. You may also check the tire’s hardness using your fingers.
If you can press your finger by 1 cm, your tire is hard enough. However, the bike tire is under-inflated if you can push it by at least 2 cm.
If you can’t push your finger into the bike tire is over-inflated.
Can You Use Any Ball Pump to Inflate a Bike Tire?
Although quite rare, a ball pump nozzle that doesn’t fit the tire valve doesn’t help inflate the bike tire. It would help to have a ball pump that’s quick and fast to use.
Three Categories of Bike Pumps
1. Floor Pump
A floor pump is a type of bike pump that you typically leave at home because it’s bulkier and more extensive. However, it’s straightforward and fast to use.
Because of its high-pressure capability, you may use a floor pump on several bike tires. Moreover, most models have built-in pressure gauges for monitoring tire pressure.
2. Hand Pump
A hand pump is lightweight; therefore, you can quickly attach it to your bike frame. However, it doesn’t provide much air pressure.
A mini pump is also slower to pump than a floor pump. Therefore, you should only use it for emergency tire situations.
3. Frame-Fit Pump
A frame-fit pump is suitable for road bikers because it can snap directly onto its frame. It doesn’t require the mounting hardware that a hand pump needs.
Moreover, this type of pump is heavier and longer than typical hand pumps. However, it works faster than the latter.
A frame-fit pump has a large capacity of up to 160 psi; therefore, it is best for road bike tires.
If you buy this pump, you should measure your bike’s top-tube length or frame size because frame-fit pumps have sizes.
4. CO2 Inflators
A CO2 inflator isn’t a bike pump because it injects more volatile carbon dioxide into the bike tire.
Therefore, you should pump up the bike tire continuously because the volatile CO2 doesn’t last long.
You may use a CO2 inflator in an emergency. However, you won’t need to pump, which inflates the bike tire faster than the hand pump.
What’s the Difference Between a Ball Pump and a Bike Pump?
A ball pump has a ball needle threading on the inflator’s end. If you use it unevenly into a ball, it may bend, and you need to replace it.
On the other hand, a bike pump includes an adaptor clamping over the bike tire’s valve. Therefore, the adaptor works differently, depending on the tire valve.
A Schrader valve has a needle in the middle and a wider opening. This pin should be depressed for air to pass.
A Schrader pump creates a seal on the valve and depresses the pump needle to inflate the tire. It’s the most prevalent bike valve type; thus, you may have a Schrader.
A Presta valve has a threaded lock and is narrower than a Schrader valve. Therefore, you should unscrew it first before depressing the needle for the air to pass.
On the other hand, a Presta pump fits a small opening. Several bike pump models have adapters to include these two valve types.
However, you should ensure to install the correct adapter before you inflate your bike tire if you don’t want to damage the pump or valve.
An English, Dunlop, or Woods valve is prevalent in Europe and Asia. It uses the exact Presta valve mechanism and is more prominent in size.
Can You Use a Bike Pump to Bloat a Ball?
You can only use a bike pump to inflate a ball if you have a needle adapter. So you should check if your pump has one.
You may insert the needle adapter in your Schrader valve before you can inflate a ball. However, a Presta valve doesn’t have a needle adapter.
You can’t inflate a ball without a needle adapter because the Schrader or Presta pump valve won’t create a robust seal for air to pass through the ball’s rubber valve.
Steps to Using a Bike Pump for Your Bike Tire
1. Get the Required Bike Pump For Your Bike Tire.
Ensure that you have the bike pump for your tire’s valve. Generally, bike pumps have a Schrader valve.
Therefore, you need an adapter if you have a Schrader valve for your bike pump but a Presta valve for your bike tire.
2. Find out the Required Pressure For Your Bike Tire.
It would be best if you didn’t underinflate or overinflate your tire. Usually, you can find the tire’s recommended pressure on its sidewall.
3. Unscrew the Valve Cap.
Please search for the plastic cap on your tire valve and unscrew it. Remember to keep it because you need to return it after you inflate your bike tire.
A Presta valve also has a lock nut that you should rotate many times to open the valve.
4. Attach the Pump to the Valve.
You may buy a floor pump for home use because it has a higher capacity; therefore, you can refill your tire more quickly.
On the other hand, you should also have a portable pump that you can carry with you as you ride.
5. Start Pumping.
Check if your bike pump has a lever you can rotate 90 degrees. Read the instruction manual for specific instructions on pulling up the lever.
6. Inflate the Bike Tire.
Using a floor pump, use your feet to secure it on the sides; start pumping.
If you have a hand pump, hold the nozzle on the one hand; then, use your free hand to pump.
Getting a hand pump with a built-in pressure gauge for quicker air pressure monitoring would be best.
7. Dislodge the Pump From the Valve.
Pull out the nozzle from the valve. Air may escape, but it shouldn’t substantially change the tire pressure.
8. Let the Air Escape If You Overinflate Your Bike Tire.
Use your fingernail to press on a Schrader valve to let the air escape. On the other hand, press on the valve with the lock nut open if you have a Presta valve.
9. Return the Valve Cap.
If you have a Presta valve, screw the lock nut before putting the plastic cap back. Otherwise, you only need to return the dust cap if you have a Schrader valve.
Use the Correct Pump for the Job
You should have a CO2 inflator, Frame-Fit pump, or hand pump attached to your bike. Buy a decent one you can use on the road if you get a flat tire.
You may prefer a high-quality floor pump at home.
