What do you do when you are out and about, and suddenly you need to pump air into your bicycle tires? Well, you obviously have to stop and make sure you properly pump it, so you don’t face an accident riding with flat tires.
But the question here is how to pump fixie tires without an adapter because we don’t usually travel with the adapter. If you want to know about all the steps you need to take and what you might need in your quest to pump your tires, then please go ahead and read till the end of the article.
How to Pump Fixie Tires Without Adapter?
There are a number of steps that need to be taken in order to ensure that you properly pump your flat tires on the occasion you do not have an adapter with you. I will explain each of the steps in detail, so you can complete the task without a hitch.
Read More: Can You Use A Shock Pump for Tires?
Step 1: Take off the Valve Cap
Each of your tires has valves, and they are covered with a cap. This is mainly for the protection of the valve, as that is where you are supposed to pump the air in. Ideally, you should attach the adapter, but since we don’t have one at the moment, we will have to do some DIY and make do with the valve cap.
At this point, all you need to do is unscrew it from the valve. If the valve is not covered with a cap, you could try asking someone else for theirs or using those on your other wheels.
Step 2: Trim the Cap
The cap needs to be modified in a way so that it can be used as an adapter during times like this. You will need a pair of scissors for this. If you don’t happen to have one, you could ask people around you if they have it. Also, you could make do with a pocket knife, but it won’t be as precise.
Now you need to figure out where to cut. Each of the caps has a rim around them. Follow along the line of the top rim to make sure you are cutting in the right spot. If you cut too much, then chances are you will not be able to use it in place of the adapter.
You also don’t want it to be too big because it might not fit in the right slot. So, try to be as exact as possible with the scissor when you are cutting.
Step 3: Attach the Cap to the Valve
Now that the cap has been adjusted to your needs, you will have to attach it to the valve so it can be used in place to make sure the valve is extended as far as possible. This will make the attachment much easier.
You have to turn the cap upside down and place it over the valve. Then, you have to slowly rotate or screw the cap around the tip of the valve. Three or four times should be enough.
Step 4: Pump Air into the Tires
When you finally have everything set in place, you can bring your pump and start pumping the tire. As you have made a make-shift adapter for your tires, you don’t need a pump with a built-in adapter. However, if you did have one like that, then all this would not be needed.
Just insert the cap into the pump and start pumping away. The cap will prevent any of the air from getting released, and it will also do the job of an adapter very well.
Step 5: Remove the Cap
All you really have left to do is taking the cap off the calve, and then you’re done. I would recommend you not to keep the cap because the chances are you will lose them anyway because of its size. And there is also no use in saving it; you should, in most cases, use an adapter. Or, you can make one later when needed.
Taking the cap off is very easy; just rotate the cap in the opposite direction to the direction you twisted it before, and you’re done. But problems can arise if it gets stuck in the pump. In that case, you will need to use a bike skewer to poke the cap. Once the cap is dislodged, just throw it away.
And with that, you are done.
Final Words
Now you know exactly how to pump fixie tires without an adapter with the help of a cap. As you saw, it is not that hard as it sounds. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask down below.
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