Modified at: Jul 24, 2023
Posted at: Jun 11, 2021
This is a summary of how to use a bicycle air gauge and how to read the memory, which can be surprisingly difficult for beginners to understand. We have also picked up some points to check when purchasing an air gauge.
Table of contents
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How to use a bicycle air gauge is simple, just attach the air gauge to the valve of the tire. This is the only way to measure the air pressure inside the tire. This is the same for both the air gauge alone and the pump with air gauge.
Since a small amount of air leaks out when the air gauge is installed, it is recommended to inflate the air gauge to a higher pressure when checking the air pressure of high-pressure tires such as road bikes.
In the case of a memory type air pressure gauge, like a scale, instead of a digital type air pressure gauge, it will be difficult to understand how to read the memory before you get used to it.
The correct air pressure for tires is printed or stamped on the tire. There are three indices for air pressure: bar, kPa, and psi.
Bicycle air gauges often use the bar/psi system, with the following meters respectively.
You can tell which is which by the size of the numbers.
In the road bike community, where high pressure tires are installed, some people look at bar and some look at psi, and both are fine as long as the correct air pressure is used, so it’s best to go with whichever is easier to read.
There are two types of bicycle air gauges.
A common method of checking air pressure is to use a pump with an air gauge (inflator). Many road bike and MTB riders have a pump with an air gauge because they need to adjust the air pressure.
Many people use a pump with an air gauge as a simple air pressure checker because the maker of the air gauge works when it is connected to the valve.
TOPEAK Topeak Joe Blow Max II
| Manufacturer | Topeak |
|---|---|
| Pressure indicator dial | Max 120PSI |
| Compatible Valves | Presta, Schrader and Dunlop valves |
In addition, electric air pumps can be used to both check and inflate air gauges, as they can be inflated to a pre-set air pressure. Recently, electric air pumps have become available at affordable prices, so if you do not already have an air pump, consider that option as well.
Digital air gauges from Wiggle’s private brand Lifeline and others make it easy to check air pressure in set units by simply attaching them to the valve.
LifeLine Digital Pressure Gauge
| Manufacturer | LifeLine |
|---|---|
| Pressure indicator dial | Max 160PSI |
| Compatible Valves | Presta, Schrader |
You may wonder if you need to have it as a dedicated item, but it is useful if you want to check air pressure while on the road or during a ride that includes an overnight stay.
Also, if you are using tubeless tires on a gravel road bike or MTB, having a dedicated air gauge has the advantage that you can adjust the air pressure on the spot (only drop the air pressure) according to the surface you ride on.
There are three types of bicycle tire valves: English, French, and American, but English valves cannot measure air pressure. Therefore, even if the air gauge meter does not work on a bicycle with English valves, it does not mean that the air gauge is malfunctioning.
hybrid bikes manufactured by bicycle manufacturers that produce road bikes and other sport bikes often have French style valves on the tire tubes, which allow you to check the air pressure, but some manufacturers use English style valves on their hybrid bikes.
However, some hybrid bikes from some manufacturers use “English style” valves. Appropriate air pressure is stamped on the tires of hybrid bikes as well, but as mentioned earlier, English style valves cannot be used to check air pressure, so even if you buy an air gauge for a hybrid bike with English style valves, you will not be able to check the air pressure.
If you want to manage tire pressure on a hybrid bike, replace the wheels, tires and tubes with French ones. Some hybrid bikes have the same wheel width as road bikes, so you can use wheels, tires and tubes for road bikes.
In the case of sports bicycles such as road bikes, where air pressure is important, low air pressure can cause a puncture on the rim, while too high air pressure can cause a tube burst.
Therefore, whether it is an air gauge (air pressure gauge) or an air container with an air gauge, choose one from a reliable manufacturer.
We have looked at how to use a bicycle air gauge (air pressure gauge) and how to read the memory.
Even if you don’t have a bicycle with high-pressure tires such as a road bike, an air gauge can enhance your bicycle comfort. Please try to use it.
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