Bicycle pump accessories: nozzle, head, extension

Repairing your pump instead of replacing it

A good foot pump can last for years, as long as you change its worn parts. Two signs indicate a tired seal: air whistling around the valve when the head is locked, which indicates a worn head seal, and a piston that goes down without resistance, which means the piston seal needs replacing. Repair kits contain these seals for a specific model or range of pumps; check the reference, as a seal from a different range won’t ensure a proper seal. A split hose at the foot of the pump or near the head can also be replaced, often supplied with its head.

Nozzle and pump head: adapting to your valves

The head is the most stressed part of the pump. Several designs exist:

• The double head, with one opening for Presta valves and another for Schrader, without a piece to turn around.
• The reversible head, which you can flip the seal or nozzle to switch from one valve to another.
• The screw-on head, which screws onto the valve: it fits on a short valve or one hidden within a deep rim and does not twist the valve when removing it.
• The converter, which changes a head designed for one type of valve into a head for the other type.

For air suspension, dedicated nozzles screw onto the valve of the fork or damper. A inflation needle, finally, allows you to inflate a ball with a bike pump.

Valve extenders: for high rims

On a high-profile rim, the Presta valve of the inner tube or tubeless kit barely protrudes, or not at all: the pump head cannot lock onto it. The extender extends the valve. Depending on the models, it screws onto the threaded end of the valve, with a loose nut, or replaces the removable core, with some extenders integrating their own core. Measure the height of the rim and the length of the valve, then choose an extender that leaves enough exposed thread for the pump head. Some wheel manufacturers offer extenders to the length of each rim profile.

Supports and mini pump parts

The mount for a mini pump shares the screws of the bottle holder or straps around a tube: replacing a broken one avoids having to buy the whole pump again. It must match the diameter and length of the pump. Mini pumps also have their own repair kits, with seals and head parts, for the models the manufacturer offers.

Pumps, CO2 and other parts

If your pump is no longer worth repairing, compare foot pumps and hand pumps. The heads and supports for inflators complement CO2 pumps and cartridges, and the entire family can be found in the pumps and accessories section.

Which brands for pump parts?

Zefal provides parts for its pumps and for other brands: Presta and Schrader head seals for Husky and SKS foot pumps, seal kits for Air Profil and EZ Max mini pumps, reversible nozzles, and converters that change a head from one valve to another.

Lezyne sells its ABS-1 Pro head separately, which screws onto the valve, as well as seal kits for its hand and foot pumps and strap mounts for its HP and HV mini pumps.

SKS offers packs of ten seals for foot pumps and a replacement hose with head for its Air-X-Press and Airkompressor Compact.

Topeak allows you to change the head of a foot pump with its TwinHead, SmartHead, and ChuckHead kits, and provides repair kits for its Roadie and Peak mini pumps, as well as Presta valve extenders.

Zipp includes valve extenders with its wheels designated by the wheel model, 202, 303, 808, or 1080, so that the valve protrudes enough from the rim.

Pump accessories on sale

Parts from discontinued ranges join the clearance, and new references the new arrivals. A spare seal or head costs much less than a new pump: keep this in mind before replacing yours, during sales as well as throughout the year.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the right seal for my pump?

Note the brand and exact name of the model, often engraved on the body or base, and look for the kit that mentions it. Universal kits exist for some heads, but a seal of the correct reference remains the only guarantee of sealing.

Can a Schrader pump be adapted to a Presta valve?

Yes, in two ways: a small adapter screwed onto the Presta valve turns it into a Schrader valve during inflation, or a converter modifies the head of the pump. A double head avoids these manipulations.

Does a valve extender work in tubeless?

Yes, provided that the tubeless valve has a removable core if the extender is placed in its place. The sealant liquid can, however, clog the assembly: check the sealing and clean the core during each addition of liquid.

How do I know which length of extender to choose?

Compare the height of the rim with the length of the valve: there should be enough threaded part exposed for the pump head to attach and for the nut to be maneuvered. Wheel manufacturers often indicate the recommended length for each profile.

Does a pump mount fit all mini pumps?

No, most are sized for a specific range based on the diameter and length of the pump. Universal strap mounts are suitable for more models, at the cost of a slightly less rigid attachment.