Bike tires are a complex science unto themselves — I've heard people say, "It's not about the bike; it's about the tires." When it comes to bicycle tires, you need to know about the two kind of valves out there. There is the tall and skinny Presta valve and the Schrader valve, which you probably had on your bike as a kid.

The Presta valve, sometimes referred to as a French valve, is common on most performance road and mountain bikes. This style of valve has built-in valve caps, which you open before pumping air into the tire and which must be tightly closed to prevent air from slowly leaking out of the tire. Presta valves are used in high-performance bikes because they are lightweight and slender, so they don't require a large hole in the rim of the tire, rendering it less stable. Presta valves are easier to pump air through since they don't have a spring like Schrader valves. You cannot use the automated air at a filling station with the Presta valves without an adapter, which you screw on once the cap has been opened.

The Schrader valve is your basic automotive valve and is sturdier. You will find this style used on kids' bikes as well as utility bikes and beach cruisers.