Pumping up your tyres
Your new Islabike will arrive with its tyres pumped up to the correct pressure. The recommended minimum and maximum pressure is printed on the sidewall of the tyre. Do not let your tyres drop below the minimum pressure stated. If you do, you increase your risk of puncturing and the bike will be hard work to ride.
Within the tyre is an inner tube. This is what holds the air pressure. Be aware that the air pressure will slowly decrease naturally. This is because the material an inner tube is made from is slightly porous. You therefore need to ‘top up’ your tyre pressure regularly (the higher the pressure, the more frequently it this is required).
Our bikes come with a ‘Presta’ valve as standard – this is a valve designed to take high pressures and you will find it on all high quality cycles.
- Remove dust cap.
- Unscrew the small top section of the valve with your fi nger tips.
- ‘Tap’ the top section so it releases a little air – this will open the valve ready for pumping.
- Fit the pump onto the valve – this is usually a case of pushing the pump ‘head’ over the valve so it
fully covers the top section and some of the valve ‘stem’. Most pumps have a locking device to grip
the valve stem to stop air escaping as you pump. - Pump until the desired pressure is reached and then unlock the pump head and wiggle/pull the head
off the valve stalk. You usually hear a very short ‘hiss’. - Re-tighten the valve top section turning it clockwise with your fingertips fully. Do this carefully. Avoid
accidentally pushing it as this will release the air you’ve just put in! - Replace dust cap.
Valve open (for pumping)
Valve closed
Recommended types of pump
We recommend a floor or track pump with a gauge so you can see when you have reached the desired pressure easily. Obviously a pump like this is not appropriate to take with you on a ride but if you have the correct tyre pressure before setting out, you are far less likely to have a puncture. It’s also much quicker and less effort to use.
For taking on a ride we recommend a long frame-fitting pump rather than a short mini pump. You will find the longer stroke action much more effective than the mini pump which may look nice and compact but will take much longer to achieve a reasonable pressure. To complete your spares kit make sure you take a spare inner tube for each bike, tyre levers, a puncture repair outfit and a multi tool, and if you don’t have quick release wheels on your bike, a spanner to fit the wheel nuts.
