The quickest and cheapest way to boost your cycling

Cycling is more efficient than any other method of travel - except when your tyres are under inflated.

It's the reason visibly soft tyres make us wince. After all, maintaining the correct tyre pressure is cheap, quick and easy task that makes your bike more efficient and improves handling.

Whether you're an old hand at checking tyre pressures every few days, or have yet to get into the habit, a track pump will make the job a doddle.

We're fans of the Topeak JoeBlow. With a steel barrel and connectors for Presta, Schrader and Dunlop valves, this robust floor pump can inflate tyres to well over 100psi. We like that spares are readily available as with long-term intensive use, we've found the head can eventually wear and stop sealing properly. However, it's a minor gripe. We've used the Topeak JoeBlow at events, as well as the pump for our office bikes, for many years.

What's the correct pressure for my bicycle tyres?

There's no shame in being puzzled by bicycle tyre pressures. After all, the correct pressure can alter radically between bikes. For example, the narrow tyres of a road bike require 80 - 130 psi (pounds per square inch); mountain bike tyres being used off-road, 25 to 35 psi; and hybrid tyres 40-70 psi.

Track pumps also make a good general-purpose household tool as they're perfect for inflating footballs, not to mention being powerful enough to top-up car tyres. And if you get your bike out of the shed only to discover it's suffered a slow puncture, they make the repair a breeze.

New to fixing flats? Our three-minute guide shows you how to mend a punctured bicycle tyre without breaking a sweat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRqbDamDLT0

Win a JoeBlow track pump

If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning a Topeak JoeBlow track pump, simply leave us a message below and we'll pick a name next week.

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The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.