Bicycle pump
Overview
Pump
A pump is a device used to move fluids, such as liquids, gases or slurries.A pump displaces a volume by physical or mechanical action. Pumps fall into three major groups: direct lift, displacement, and gravity pumps...
specifically designed for inflating bicycle tire
Bicycle tire
A bicycle tire is a tire that fits on the wheel of a bicycle, unicycle, tricycle, quadracycle, bicycle trailer, or trailer bike. They may also be used on wheelchairs and handcycles, especially for racing...
s. It has a connection or adapter for use with one or both of the two most common types of valve
Valve
A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category...
s used on bicycles, Schrader
Schrader valve
The Schrader valve is a brand of pneumatic tire valve used on virtually every motor vehicle in the world today. The Schrader company, for which it was named, was founded in 1844 by August Schrader...
or Presta
Presta valve
The Presta valve is a valve commonly found in high pressure road style and many mountain bicycle inner tubes. It comprises an outer valve stem and an inner valve body...
. A third type of valve called the Woods
Dunlop valve
The Dunlop valve, is a type of pneumatic valve stem in use in some countries, such as Japan, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Britain, Finland, Sweden, and developing countries...
valve exists, but tubes with these valves can be filled using a Presta pump.
Several basic types are available:
- Floor models or track pumps
- Frame mounted
- Compact or mini
- Foot operated
- Double action
In its most basic form, a bicycle pump functions via a hand-operated piston
Piston
A piston is a component of reciprocating engines, reciprocating pumps, gas compressors and pneumatic cylinders, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tight by piston rings. In an engine, its purpose is to transfer force from...
.
