what head is needed on compressor to pump up presta valve

If you've landed on this article then you probably have an air compressor already (or are at to the lowest degree considering one) and you're looking for a dedicated bike tyre inflator to suit it.

Don't have an air compressor? Check out our guide to air compressors for bike utilise.

When it comes to inflating tyres with an air compressor there are enough of options. This article covers DIY options and dedicated wheel-specific inflators beyond a broad price range. All the inflators covered beneath will work with whatever air compressor – it'south just a matter of fitting the advisable couplers (covered in the guide to air compressors).

At that place's plenty of useful data in this article, but if y'all only want to know the all-time bike inflator with a gauge, it'southward the nearly expensive tested: the EVT iii-in-1 inflator.

Meanwhile, EVT'south Presta-Only inflator, which lacks a judge, is easily the best thing money tin buy if you want unhindered air into your Presta valves and little more. The best budget inflator is the PrestaCycle Mini (also no gauge).

Those wanting something that's equally great for cars and a family of bicycles (where Schrader valves are probable found) should consider the PrestaCycle Pro or a high-quality machine inflator and use a thread-in Presta adapter (Arundel'due south Woodsman valve has proven a practiced-value pick).

Introduction to bicycle-specific tyre inflators

I've got some 15 years of hands-on experience with air compressors and over the past yr of lockdowns I've intentionally tested some of the more common and pop tyre inflators with the goal of finding the best. In a wide sense, at that place are no awful choices here – they'll all get air into a cycle tyre. Similarly, there are also no perfect options, and even the best on the market nevertheless offers room for improvement.

There are a number of unlike tyre inflators on the market. I wanted to find both the accented all-time and the best value.

That said, there certainly are differences to be aware of and common themes in the ones I'd choose to own for abode employ or put into operation within a professional workshop. Notably, I've taken a liking to inflators that offer a 90º angle of approach to the valve and a design that allows one-handed operation –  this leaves a hand spare to hold the bike or pinch and pull the tyre equally needed (in the case of tubeless).

Following the last point, the best inflators offer a uncomplicated friction fit with the valve (and can be used with or without the valve core in identify). A valve head that needs to be locked or threaded in place is at all-time more of a dabble and slower to use.

A press-on valve caput at a 90º angle makes for a ane-handed operation.

It's also worth noting that there are large differences in the available airflow rate (volume of air at a given pressure) which will bear on how hands stubborn tubeless tyres seat. And gauge accuracy should be considered for those looking to inflate and ride (as opposed to then using a separate gauge to dial in pressures).

DIY vs bought Presta tyre inflators

Walk into whatever automotive or hardware store and you'll likely find a number of tyre inflators. What you won't likely discover is a tyre inflator intended for straight fit with bicycle-specific Presta valves.

There are a number of ways to tackle this, and the all-time choice will depend on your frugality, frequency of use, and whether y'all want/need a gauge (and how important the accurateness is). You'll too want to consider whether y'all'll need to inflate Presta valves, Schrader valves (including your car), or both. As well, if you often find yourself working on fussy tubeless combinations then an important element will be airflow efficiency – not all inflators are equal in this regard.

Generally speaking, the DIY options will be best for those on a tight budget or who perhaps only see themselves needing the compressor in rare circumstances. Meanwhile, a few cycling-specific product options tend to consider bicycle-specific usage and therefore offering ane-handed utilise and speed.

At the very cheapest end of the scale is using a contumely Presta to Schrader adapter that'due south threaded onto the valve and so used with whatever automotive (Schrader) inflator. This is slow going and will also limit your ability to burst air into a tubeless tyre with the valve core removed. Laissez passer.

• In that location are numerous ways to DIY an inflator. The fiddling brass adaptor (lesser of picture) is the nearly common and cheapest, merely it's as well annoyingly boring and restricts airflow. Swipe for more photos.

• One of the neater DIY tricks is to use a Presta head that offers a Schrader male thread. Arundel, Silca, and PrestaCycle offering examples of these.

• Seen hither is the Arundel Woodsman Presta head fitted into a low-cost Schrader adapter. Do beware that cheaper Schrader heads may outburst free at higher pressures (which potentially can be dangerous).

• A closer await at the Arundel valve head in the low price inflator. This one doesn't feel as secure as I'd like.

• Another option is to apply a chip of floor pump hose and adapt it to a generic car tyre inflator. Hither I'm using some hose off a generic floor pump and a spinous Presta pump adaptor from PRO Bike Gear.

• At the inflator the hose is slid over a barb fitting and a hose clamp holds it together. While not pretty I've used similar for well over a decade with good results. But just a word of warning, hose clamps aren't intended to concur pressure and so there is a prophylactic risk of blow off – utilize at your own risk.

• Another option is to utilize a simple blow gun and slip a floor pump hose over the stop of information technology. Secure with a hose clamp. This is the get-to hack of WorldTour mechanics at the Tour Downwardly Under where they frequently choose to pack light. It works merely requires ii hands for operation, lacks a judge, and has restricted airflow.

Side by side is finding yourself a Presta valve head that simply screws into an automotive inflator. Silca, Arundel, and PrestaCycle have examples of these, and they all work as expected. For speed of use, I similar the "push on" (friction fit) blazon heads versus those that thread or lock onto the valve. These are actually a perfectly fine option if you own an automotive-style tyre inflator.

If you don't want a pressure gauge, then you take two paths. Firstly you tin use an automotive-style mini inflator. PrestaCycle and Efficient Velo Tools (EVT) offer such tools gear up to go with a Presta head, and these may inspire homemade versions, too. Alternatively, you tin utilise the hose and caput of a track pump on the end of a blowgun (secured by a hose clamp, although such clamps aren't intended for high pressure and so apply at your ain risk). This works quite well merely, of course, lacks a pressure guess.

In that location are DIY options with a gauge, too. Here you'd utilize an automotive tyre inflator and either utilize the above-mentioned screw-in Presta caput or supersede the hose entirely with one from a floor pump (pictured in the sliding gallery above). For well over a decade I used this pick without knowing what I was missing, just a couple of years ago I moved to a premium bicycle-specific inflator and I wish I'd done so sooner.

This leads me onto a few defended options that are undeniably the fastest and most efficient way to go a outburst of air through a Presta (and in some cases Schrader) valve. For comparison, I've besides included a few DIY options. How they were all tested is covered at the bottom of this article.

The best wheel-specific inflators with pressure gauges

EVT 3-in-one

• The E.V.T 3-in-ane looks like information technology has been cobbled together in someone's garage, simply I tin assure you this is the best functioning bicycle-specific inflator out.

• An industrial designer'due south worst nightmare. This ane is entirely function over grade.

• The Presta head is simply clipped into the Schrader caput beneath. A piece of cord stops you lot from losing it.

• The only component by EVT themselves is the Presta head. And oh damn is it nice!

• The gauge is small and unprotected, just it is accurate.

Fabricated in the USA, EVT specialises in loftier-terminate workshop tools with an quondam-globe feel that are congenital to last. Premium tyre inflators and gauges make upward a big part of the company's tool range. Don't permit the industrial design fool you – this thing is highly functional.

EVT'due south 3-in-1 inflator offers both Presta and Schrader valve aggrandizement. The Presta head is made in-firm past EVT and is simply the nicest inflator/pump head I've ever used (and I've used most). It's the real star of the prove here and is simply *chef's osculation*. Sadly EVT but offers its custom-moulded polyurethane seal heads with its gauges and inflators – they're not available separately.

The otherwise elementary pattern provides a serious burst of air for seating tubeless, equal to the Prestacycle Pro and a noticeable footstep to a higher place both the Park Tool and Arundel.

The gauge is small which tin can make information technology tricky to read an exact pressure level, only it is expressionless-on accurate. Meanwhile, the trigger offers finite control.

It all just works brilliantly. Even the Schrader adapter caput that holds the Presta head in place is the nicest I've ever used. Still, exercise keep in mind this tool was congenital for utilize in a professional cycle workshop and and so, like the Park Tool inflator, the Schrader head struggles to achieve concealed valves on some car wheels.

This inflator is infrequent, but there's no ignoring what's an extremely high asking price for something that looks like information technology was cobbled together with a scattering of loftier-quality fittings (all fabricated in the USA). That pill is even tougher to consume when you consider the tool lacks a bleed valve and that the gauge is unprotected in the event of accidental drops. All of that aside, this is my favourite inflator to use.

Highs: One-handed operation, custom Presta valve head is but flawless, wonderful to utilize, swell airflow, entirely rebuildable with (mostly) industry standard parts, congenital to concluding.
Lows: No protection from adventitious drops, small-scale guess, no bleed valve, price, BYO hose fitting.
Toll: U.s.a.$169 / AU$299

Park Tool INF-2 Shop Inflator

• Park Tool's INF-2 is a common sight in wheel shops. Its unique design is more refined than most but the valve head leaves room for improvement.

• The valve head is double-sided (Presta and Schrader) and swivels.

• There are multiple ways to hook this inflator when information technology's not in use.

• The guess is massive and well protected. All-time of all it'south accurate.

A staple in many bike shops around the world, Park Tool'southward INF-2 inflator offers a hinge push button-on caput design that makes quick work with either Presta or Schrader valves.

The well-protected guess (0-160 psi) is large and well placed for like shooting fish in a barrel viewing, and my sample was impressively on-point for accuracy. The release trigger behind it is comfortable to squeeze for inflation, and in that location's a large bleed push button in case you add too much air.

The unique ergonomics and the general feel in hand are fantastic and best on exam. I really like that in that location are multiple ways you tin can hang this tool up, and the blue colouring makes it hard to miss. And importantly, information technology offers decent airflow for tubeless seating, although information technology's more restricted than what EVT and PrestaCycle attain.

It's worth noting that this inflator was the only ane tested to use 3/8″ BSP fittings and not the more than common and smaller 1/4″ size. This isn't such an outcome, but I've certainly institute 1/four″ parts easier to source.

At that place's a lot to similar here but unfortunately it'due south let down by the fit and sealing at the valve seals. The proprietary seal heads are soft and fast-wearing, and don't ever grade a secure seal with Presta valves. Thankfully these seals are cheap and easy to replace, but the EVT (and to a bottom extent the Arundel) inflators prove that things can be amend.

Highs: Easy to use, i-handed functioning, impressive unique design, accurate and large gauge, made to take a beating, rebuildable.
Lows: Inconsistent sealing with Presta valves, head design won't work on many motorcar tyres, average airflow.
Cost: Usa$135 / AU$290

PrestaCycle Prestaflator Pro Digital

• PrestaCycle's Prestaflator Pro Digital is a expert option but lacks a 1-handed design.

• How similar does it look to a generic inflator? This like.

• PrestaCycle include a whole bunch of attachments with its Pro Digital inflator.

• In its almost unproblematic class the head presses onto Presta and screws onto Scrader. Remove the front bit and you can then attach any of the provided fittings.

PrestaCycle was perhaps the first company to sell a cycling-specific inflator for wheel utilise. Now over a decade after and the company'southward range is full of gauge-equipped inflators ranging from US$40 to United states of america$lxxx. The company provided its top-tier Pro Digital inflator for testing.

In that location'south no ignoring that this inflator shares the same course factor as countless commonly available automotive inflators, but it is worth noting that this 1 was congenital with far higher working pressures in mind. As a result, there are more metal components, the hose is reinforced, and overall the build quality feels higher than the cheaper hardware-store-bought inflators I've used over the years.

It's also worth noting that PrestaCycle offers a huge range of replacement and service parts for its inflators – something that you don't often become with more generic options.

The flare-up of air for seating tubeless is great; in fact information technology's on par with the EVT iii-in-1 every bit the equal best gauge-equipped inflator and it'south measurably better than the generic automotive inflators that share the same form factor as this.

The digital gauge is spot-on accurate, and being backlit means it's easy to read in a dimly lit garage. And the inflator comes with a small handful of interchangeable heads for both Presta and Schrader use (the latter also take the clearance to fit with car wheels).

PrestaCycle recently moved to a harder rubber gasket in its inflator heads for improved durability, only information technology's this feature that also caused me dramas. That fabric is less malleable to hands slip over valves and I found it somewhat fussy to class a perfect seal. That increased immovability comes at a price – this inflator is more of a two-handed operation than a quick push-and-go thing.

A saving grace is that the threaded collar affixed to the hose is a threaded Schrader variant, and so swapping in a different-make Presta head is an option if the stock valve heads prove problematic.

PrestaCycle also offers a number of lower-cost inflators with a similar form factor but with simpler analogue gauges. The general highs and lows are likely applicable to those, too.

Highs: Modular valve head design, sturdy build, swell airflow, good backlit gauge, easy spare parts sourcing, also works on auto wheels.
Lows: Hard valve caput gasket makes for inconsistent sealing, two-handed operation.
Price: The states$lxxx / AU$140

Arundel Shop Inflator

• The Arundel Store Inflator offers a one-handed pattern and a great valve head merely falls brusque in other ways.

• The gauge is large and easy to read. It's probably authentic plenty for about users only isn't perfect.

• I actually rate Arundel's unproblematic press-on valve heads.

Previously reviewed on CyclingTips, Arundel'south Shop Inflator is Presta-only and aims to be a shop-quality choice without breaking the bank.

There's a lot to like here. Arundel uses a stepped gasket for the Presta caput that slips onto valves easily, seals reliably, and pulls off without fuss. The ergonomics are decent, and the big judge is easy to read.

Nonetheless, there are a few large compromises hither. Firstly the measured airflow on this was the worst tested and so information technology'due south not the best choice if you're trying to overcome problematic tubeless fitments. Secondly, the 90º metallic tube that holds the pump head can unwind itself. And lastly, the judge on my sample reads slightly low (77 psi shown at an actual 80 psi).

Despite such bug, I still quite liked using this inflator every bit that valve head is a good one and allows for like shooting fish in a barrel one-handed inflating. This inflator really is proof that the valve head typically makes or breaks such a tool.

Note: The pump head used on this tool (the Woodsman) is also sold separately to exist a direct fit with a Schrader head. Arundel also recently added a hose-based Schrader inflator to its range which may exist worth considering if you desire to fill both auto and bicycle tyres (Presta adapter needed) – still, this option will crave ii hands for operation.

Highs: Great push-on valve design, one-handed operation, big gauge, simple design can take a knock, well priced.
Lows: Surprisingly poor airflow, the 90º tube can unwind, gauge accuracy.
Cost: Us$60

Automotive tyre inflators with judge (crave Presta adaptors or similar)

Wurth Digital tyre inflator

The Wurth Digital inflator is a large inflator designed for professional utilize in an automotive workshop.

Here's a professional-level automotive inflator, maybe the type y'all'd detect at fancy petrol stations. While branded Wurth, information technology's also commonly sold under various industry brand names and offers a well-protected digital gauge and a long hose that swivels.

The quality offered here is slap-up, and you can either simply add a Presta adapter or more permanently affix a floor pump hose to information technology.

All the same much like the cheaper Ozito/generic digital inflator discussed beneath, this 1 as well lacks unimpeded airflow. In fact, it offered the 2d-worst burst of air on test (backside the Arundel) and for that, it's non the best selection for tubeless aggrandizement needs.

Highs: Quality build, authentic digital gauge, long-accomplish hose has its perks, peachy for automobile tyres.
Lows: Requires a Presta adaptor or like, two-handed operation, cumbersome to shop, poor airflow.
Price: Approx The states$150 / AU$200

Ozito Digital tyre inflator

This is a generic inflator sold under the business firm brand of Australia's largest hardware store chain. I've modified information technology with a segment of quondam floor pump hose and a PRO Bike Gear barbed Presta valve.

In Australia we accept a monopoly hardware concatenation chosen Bunnings – Ozito is one of its house tool brands.

Ozito's digital inflator is the same generic detail sold by countless sellers online and by other brands around the world. Information technology'southward extremely similar in form factor to the tested Presta Bicycle Digital but there are some obvious differences.

Firstly, the Schrader valve head isn't all that positive in its seal, while the air bleed push button and trigger don't inspire equally much confidence as the PrestaCycle tool. And the burst of air offered is measurably less than the PrestaCycle, too (however it still edges out the Arundel Shop Inflator which firmly holds the wooden spoon).

Still, overall, the inflator does the job. The back-lit judge of my sample was inside 2% accuracy. And while the valve head isn't great, information technology's relatively easy to exercise a DIY conversion on. If you're willing to adapt a floor pump hose to fit and want a digital gauge, then something similar this volition do the job.

Highs: Authentic estimate, cheap.
Lows: Requires a Presta adaptor or hose modification, two-handed operation, poor airflow, low-quality Schrader valve caput.
Toll: Approx The states$30 / AU$40

The best cycle-specific inflators without a pressure guess

Gauges are great for dialling in your pressures, but sometimes you just want unhindered airflow and care-complimentary immovability in a workshop environment (inflators ofttimes find themselves on the ground). For this, a simple inflator without a gauge is hard to beat.

Below are ii very differently priced bicycle-specific Presta inflators.

EVT Presta-Merely inflator

• Another where the function trumps course.

• Using the EVT Presta-Only inflator is truly a ane-handed operation. The same applies to the company's 3-in-one inflator.

OK, so EVT'due south Presta-Only inflator is extremely expensive given it doesn't have a estimate. It's even more expensive given information technology's Presta-only. And so there'due south the fact that some of the tool is merely made with off-the-shelf USA-fabricated parts.

But holy … I actually truly love this affair. EVT's push button-on Presta caput is the accented benchmark in the industry – I'd similar to recollect I've tried near of the options out there and nothing comes close to this in a balance of easy-on-piece of cake-off while still holding a perfect seal. Bravo.

And so in that location's the airflow offered by the simple direct-path pattern. If y'all can't seat a tubeless tyre with this, and so you tin can't arraign the inflator.

And finally, it's built to take a beating. Make full information technology with sealant. Chuck it on the floor. Footstep on information technology. It'll survive. Aye, there's no approximate, yep it's expensive, and yep, it's crawly.

Highs: One-handed blueprint, criterion valve caput pattern, built to outlast cockroaches, unbeatable airflow.
Lows: Presta-but (but that'due south too part of the amuse), non for those that want a gauge, ultra toll for such a simple product, BYO hose fitting.
Price: US$83 / AU$145

PrestaCycle Prestaflator Mini

The Prestaflator Mini is another elementary tool that doesn't inhibit air flow.

Desire to spend under US$40, don't need a guess, and want an undeniable smash of air? Well, the PrestaCycle Prestaflator Mini is tough to trounce.

With no hose or gauge to wearisome the catamenia of air this simple tool is on equal footing with the EVT Presta-Only inflator in terms of tubeless bead popping.

However, at less than half the price of the EVT, there are limitations. I found the ergonomics uncomfortably pointy when locking it into a quick connector. And that "more durable" seal head suffers the same issues as the company'south Digital Pro inflator due to its hard textile. Finally, most of the tool is built to withstand abuse except for the frail-feeling valve head neckband.

Overall this thing is good for the money, simply those looking for a professional equivalent should spend the extra on the EVT. Alternatively, information technology is possible to make your ain (albeit more cumbersome) version of this and PrestaCycle sell a range of Presta heads to make that piece of work.

Highs: Ane-handed design, benchmark air-flow.
Lows: Presta-simply (but that'south likewise part of the charm), valve head can cause an inconsistent seal, not for those that desire a gauge, not entirely bombproof.
Price: US$37 / AU$60

How they were tested

Well-nigh all tested inflators were in the workshop for well over vi months. Ease of use, condolement in the hand, care-free buying, and durability were all central elements sought during the test menstruation.

Over the past couple of years I'd too received feedback from many industry mechanics virtually what they practice and don't like about pop market options. Positives and negatives mentioned by others were put to test.

Ease of utilize is obviously subjective, but an inflator that pushes on with one hand and holds a reliable seal with the valve is undeniably easier to use than an inflator that requires two hands and doesn't always seal.

• A wait at the seal heads of the four best inflators. From left to correct we have the PrestaCycle Pro Digital, EVT three-in-1, Arundel Shop Infaltor, and Park Tool INF-ii. (Swipe for more than photos.)

• How the inflators stack up in size (EVT Presta-Merely missing from photo).

• A digital anemometer was used to assist with ranking the airflow of the inflators.

• Why wouldn't yous want a guess? Airflow aside, inflators go dropped and left on the ground.

Gauge accurateness was verified with a custom inline Kappius digital gauge. It'southward the same gauge used in previous pump tests such as the best mini pumps (which nevertheless makes me wince in hurting at the sight of small pumps).

Airflow was tested in two means. The offset was based on perceived flow during use – some of the inflators truly snap a tyre bead into place or can be used to blow your floors clean. By dissimilarity, others feel like they're trying to blow through a straw. This was verified with a digital anemometer (a tool that measures wind speed) in conjunction with a fixed length of piping to control the channel and placement altitude. The measured test may not be an exact science, only the results directly correlated with my subjective feelings of each inflator's efficiency.

Note: the photos evidence diverse different couplings fitted to the tested inflators. Wherever possible these were standardised for airflow testing.

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That's a wrap on this shootout. Let me know in the comments what you've had good experiences with. For more general information, including how to connect an inflator to your compressor, be sure to check out our guide to air compressors. And for those wanting tubeless tips and tricks and so check out our Endless FAQ.

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Source: https://cyclingtips.com/2021/07/review-the-best-bicycle-tyre-inflators-to-use-with-an-air-compressor/

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