Pumps and Accessories for Road Bikes

Foot pump: inflate easily and effortlessly

A foot pump stands out from a mini pump by the volume of air sent with each piston stroke and its manometer, which allows you to aim for the exact pressure instead of feeling the tyre. The VP Optimiz Tradi, with its steel body, offers more stability and durability compared to plastic models: its base stays firmly on the ground when pumping vigorously. Make sure the head accepts Presta valves, which are standard on the road, and ideally Schrader, to inflate other family bikes with the same pump.

The rest of the wheel

Road wheels and tyres also come in:

• Tyres.
• Inner tubes.
• Tubulars.
• Wheels.

The whole selection is brought together on the wheels and tyres page.

Tubeless valves BBB CoreCap: ride without an inner tube

The tubeless setup eliminates the inner tube: the tyre sits directly on a sealed rim, and a preventive liquid seals small punctures. The valve is the key component. The BBB CoreCap, made from aluminium, is secured to the rim with a nut and a rubber base that fits the rim's well. Their removable core allows you to inject the liquid directly through the valve without removing the tyre, and to unclog it when the preventative has dried inside. They are sold in pairs to equip both wheels.

What pressure for road tyres

Pressure mainly depends on the cyclist's weight and the width of the tyre. The twenty-eight millimetre tyres, which have become common, inflate significantly less than the old twenty-three millimetre ones, usually between five and seven bars, providing more comfort and grip for equivalent performance on real roads. A worn or wet road warrants reducing pressure by half a bar. The tubeless setup allows for even lower pressures, without the risk of pinch flats. You should never exceed the maximum value marked on the side of the tyre or that of the rim.

Good deals

Good deals can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals feature the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and sent out within 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the year-end holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back to school.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to inflate a Presta valve?

Unscrew the small knob at the top of the valve, press it down for a moment to release it, then push in the pump head and flip its lever down. Once the pressure is reached, screw the knob back on to prevent any leakage.

Why use a manometer rather than your thumb?

By feel, a road tyre feels hard at three bars, which is well below the useful pressure. The manometer helps avoid riding under-inflated, which risks pinch flats, or over-inflated, which compromises grip.

Do you need a CO2 cartridge at the finish?

It inflates a road tyre in seconds, which is handy in races or bad weather. However, keep a mini pump as a cartridge is only good for one use and CO2 escapes faster than air through rubber.

How long does tubeless preventative liquid last?

It dries up in a few months, faster in hot weather. Check the amount two to three times a year by removing the core, and top up through the valve without removing the tyre.

Why does a tyre lose pressure without puncturing?

Every inner tube and tubeless setup allows air to slowly seep through the rubber, especially latex tubes. A road tyre thus loses some pressure in a few days: check it before every ride.