releasing air from a bicycle tire

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:08 am

How do you release air from a bicycle tire? I have found all kinds of online instructions for changing tires, which say "release the air from the old tire" but it doesn't tell you how. I need to know, and I know we have millions of cyclists here so I thought I'd ask.

Thanks, and I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

chrisoff · Post by **chrisoff** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:34 am

Push the valve. If it's a schrader valve there will be a little pin in the middle of the valve which releases the air when you push it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schrader_valve
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presta_valve

mutepointe · Post by **mutepointe** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:54 am

when we were kids, my brothers and i pumped up a bike tire to see how big we could get it. it was the size of a car tire when it blew. awesome.

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:07 am

chrisoff wrote:Push the valve. If it's a schrader valve there will be a little pin in the middle of the valve which releases the air when you push it.

I'm sure there's a better method, but what I'd do is attach the pump nozzle part way, until it starts to hiss, and let it keep coming.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:17 am

Thank you all. I knew there was a reason I love you.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:46 am

So I just completely changed a tire on my bicycle. I feel so accomplished and masculine and dirty...in a good way.

Aanvil · Post by **Aanvil** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:49 pm

I was going to say "stab it with and icepick"!

Good thing everyone else got her first.

FJohnSharp · Post by **FJohnSharp** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 1:52 pm

Tire gauges have those little cylindrical stubs on the back side of the part that goes on the tire. It's for letting air out.

I'm betting you don't have a tire gauge, though. Anything small will work.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:27 pm

FJohnSharp wrote:Tire gauges have those little cylindrical stubs on the back side of the part that goes on the tire. It's for letting air out.

I'm betting you don't have a tire gauge, though. Anything small will work.

I do have one. But I didn't know what it was for. What are the numbers on it for?

Lambchop · Post by **Lambchop** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 7:16 pm

Cranberry wrote:
FJohnSharp wrote:Tire gauges have those little cylindrical stubs on the back side of the part that goes on the tire. It's for letting air out.

I'm betting you don't have a tire gauge, though. Anything small will work.
I do have one. But I didn't know what it was for. What are the numbers on it for?

For the number of tires you can fill with it before it wears out.

Denny · Post by **Denny** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:12 pm

baaaad Lamby

WyoBadger · Post by **WyoBadger** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:24 pm

Aanvil wrote:I was going to say "stab it with and icepick"!

Good thing everyone else got her first.

Well, that's one of the faster ways, I suppose.

T

mutepointe · Post by **mutepointe** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:56 pm

the last time i bought new tires for my car, i got these nifty gauges for each of my tires. they fit on the nozzle. when they're green the pressure is fine, when they're yellow, they're losing pressure, when they're red, they've lost pressure and need more air. they save a lot of trouble.

Charlene · Post by **Charlene** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:17 pm

mutepointe wrote:the last time i bought new tires for my car, i got these nifty gauges for each of my tires. they fit on the nozzle. when they're green the pressure is fine, when they're yellow, they're losing pressure, when they're red, they've lost pressure and need more air. they save a lot of trouble.

I had some of those years ago, and they must not have been installed correctly or something. I kept having slow leaks and when I took the car in to the tire shop, they said "oh, it's these aftermarket valve covers." I went back to the regular boring black ones and didn't have any more trouble.

Cranberry - the numbers show how many pounds of air pressure there is in the tire. If your tire says to inflate it to, for example, 35psi, take off the valve cover, put the round end in tightly (too loose and you'll let the air out) and let the little metal or plastic stick pop out. If it stops at 30, you need to add more air to get to 35. If it says 40, let some air out and check again.

gonzo914 · Post by **gonzo914** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:04 pm

When that tire gauge gets used up (you'll be able to tell because it will onlyread '1'), you can take it to Walmart and turn it in at the key department. They will be able to recycle it for you. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT dispose of worn out tire gauges in the trash.