have never pumped a tire properly. HELP

[inatree]

please no hate mail.

i have a stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid and sad problem.

i have never been able to properly pump my tires. i have been riding for several years. my iq has been determined to be 139. please no "you are too stupid to post in this forum" mail, thanks!!!!

its a road bike. few yrs old. the only pump that has been successful has been my roommates super expensive one. im sorry, i know it sounds weird but i actually cant afford $175 for a bicycle pump. yeah yeah yeah, get off the saddle if you can't afford anything, bla bla bla bla.

i have used various standup pumps. with the pressure gauge on it. yes, i screw that little thing in first. i havent ridden in a long time and basically dont ride anymore because it takes at least 30 mins to pump my tires, and i am always completely covered in sweat afterwards. no, i'm not all fat and out of shape. i am actually dealing with illness and am underweight and need to be healthy. no, i don't have anyone to help me. no one. no family, neighbors or friends. its a nightmare so i am trying to do fun things like ride bikes. i know its' tempting to now want to assume that i deserve to be alone and in pain but i really don't. i really wanted to ride today but i just tried to pump one tire, and my entire body is now covered in sweat and i need to change my clothes. the tire is not safe to ride with because its not pumped up, the other one i havent even gotten to. i know its not this hard for everyone else.

when i pump you can hear the air coming out. i know this isnt supposed to be happening but for the goddamn life of me i have never been able to stop this from happening, and i have spent hours and hours and hours next to my bike with the pump, trying to do it right.

i took it in to a bike shop, i have done this several times. they show me, it makes sense. i try it, do it successfully. they smile, knowing they have taught me well. i smile, thinking i have learned properly. i take the bike home. when i need to pump the tires again, i hook up the pump and hear the whooshing sound of air escaping as i pump, and have the same fateful problem again, and again end up sitting out of breath with beads of sweat coming down my face and body and realizing i won't be going anywhere.

i used to be great, rode at least a couple hrs a day, but dont anymore because i am usually too tired after pumping to go anywhere.

another day ruined by an unbelievably ridiculous problem that i doubt anyone will ever have the patience to help me with. i miss riding. serves me right.

[Biciclista]

Your question isn't dumb. I've had the same problem.
Keep taking it back to the bike shop.
Sometimes i can get it to work right, sometimes I can't.
I don't know why.
But keep going back to the bike shop, they don't care, and it's easy for them.
good luck

[Andrea]

First off- quit putting yourself down.


Next- when you say "I screw that little thing in first," what, exactly are you talking about? The screw on the end of the valve? Something on the pump? Therein may lie your problem.

[maryellen]

Are you taking your pump to the bike shop for the tutorial or are they demonstrating on a different pump?

[Zen]

When I was having a hard time I took my pump into the shop and asked them to show me what I was doing wrong.
Turned out I wasn't doing anything wrong, it was a defective pump.

Here's an instructional video-
http://www.ehow.com/video_4974894_inflate-bike-tire.html

[inatree]

well you are all being pretty nice considering my little rant there.

the strangest thing just happened. after thinking the above thought, i decided to try again and i just put the nozzle farther out, just to see if it would work, and it worked better. the only problem still is one that i don't think is related to the pump or anything...i have a hard time pushing the handle all the way down, either because i have weak upper body strength or i am small, i don't know. anyone else have this problem? it was still a workout, but at least i have enough air. it's still not the recommended amount tho.

now for the other tire. i'm glad the sun's still out.

[Mr. Bloom]

my iq has been determined to be 139. please no "you are too stupid to post in this forum" mail, thanks!!!!


That's OK, mine is slightly higher...and I can't get it right either;) Then I think I get it right and voile - I pull the stem out of the tube!

[MartianDestiny]

i have a hard time pushing the handle all the way down, either because i have weak upper body strength or i am small, i don't know. anyone else have this problem?

Normal (well, for us small ladies). I typically have to use my whole body to get the last 20-25psi in my tires (road or mountain, though mainly road). Yes, this means looking ridiculous as I lean over the pump and lift my feet off the ground so all my body weight is on it. You are not alone. :o

Your pump should be making your life easier by getting a good seal though (you shouldn't hear air escaping). May really be your pump, take it with you to the shop next time and see if they can help you get it to work with yours (rather than their $175 models that, while very very nice, aren't practical for us mere mortals :) )

Edited for story to make you feel better (or at least not alone):

Two years ago in a bike shop very close to you (Sunnyvale, CA) I was shopping for a mountain bike. A nice young salesman gladly pulled the XXS version out of storage in the back, of course with two flat tires. He then proceeded to try to get a good enough seal to fill the first tire for 10 minutes before finally conceding and sulking off embarrassed to get his manager to help. It then took the manager 5 more minutes to get a seal. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! (and yes, I've done the same thing too, finally threw the darned pump (mini pump) against the wall and broke it for good....good riddance!!)

[TrekTheKaty]

Can you give us pics? Do you know if it is presta valve or schrader? I have to give my presta valve a tap, because sometimes it sticks. Is there a fastener you tighten on the hose before pumping? If I turn it the wrong way, air doesn't go in the tire (just fills up the hose). I also pulled out a stem before mastering this simple task.

Floor pumps do make a huge difference--maybe check garage sales or Craigs list for one.

Keep asking for help--don't give up :)

[Biciclista]

you know if you don't weigh a lot you DO NOT have to put the max. recommended PSI into your tires. I pump up to 100 figuring I will lose 10 psi before I get the valve stem on. I have 25mm tires.

btw, this is TE, we're not going to send you hate mail or put you down because we're women and we've all been there and done that!

[Pedal Wench]

Different pumps "latch" onto the stem in different ways - are you sure you're securing it properly? Some have a lever, some a knob, some twist - make sure you're latching it on.

And, when you unscrew the valve, I hit the valve to release a bit of air - this seems to open up the valve to make that first pump easier.

And finally, some pumps are easier than others. I have to lean all my weight on mine too (and I'm not a very light person!) and I've borrowed pumps that take almost no effort at all.

Edit: Ooops, while I was typing my epic response, Cunninghamair said the same thing, but better!

[shootingstar]

Then I think I get it right and voile - I pull the stem out of the tube! Brilliant! :D:D:D:D

Until this problem of whimpus tire pumping was mentioned, I admit I was too embarrassed to even mention it here on TE board.

When my partner was living in Calgary for 2 yrs., and I in Toronto, I had the joy of pumping my tires with my small hand pump for that time. But they did get inflated after...uh half hr.

We have a red happy floor pump...he pumps all our bike tires. I tried and am so discouraged/embarrassed that my upper body strength is crappy. I'm 5'1" at now 97 lbs. (I've lost weight from much cycling now.) and have not tried any floor pushups. :o

Oh well, at least I know a hand pump works for me if I'm not in a hurry. Or I can go 1 block down to LBS to inflate my tires.

No, I don't have the extra money to buy CO cartridges. It's just me..cheap.

[PamNY]

Definitely take your pump to the bike shop, if you haven't already. It sounds like there might be something wrong with it.

I don't think you need to spend $175. My $40 Joe Blow pump is fairly easy to use, though it does take some strength. It occasionally doesn't hook up right at first and some air escapes, so I try again.

I wouldn't apologize for asking any bike-related question in this group. Overall it's a helpful bunch, and the smartest person can be stymied by the simplest task. It's especially hard if you don't have biking friends to give you in-person advice. I have asked some very basic questions here and gotten lots of help.

Pam

[OakLeaf]

Inside area of a cross-section of the barrel of my floor pump = about one inch.

Pressure I inflate my tires to = 115 PSI.

Do the math. It's not my entire body weight, but it might be yours! It's awkward, more than it really takes strength, with a floor pump. (Think of parallel bars, or a narrow staircase, and you'll realize that you can easily support your body weight with both hands. But with a pump, you have to bend over, have your hands close together and pronated, etc.)

+1 to what Andrea said ... all of it.

[ilima]

Look at Specialized's floor pumps. I've found them to the most reliably easy pumps to use.

I've definitely had some PITA pumps, including a Blackburn that never seemed latch on to my valve properly and a Joe Blow with a head that fell apart just outside the 60 day warranty period.

Specialized's Airtool comes in Sport, Comp and Pro models ($ to $$$). I'd go for the Comp as it has a metal base.

Also, get a CO2 pump to carry with you on rides. And buy extra CO2 cartridges so you can practice.

[Grog]

Please don't apologize for asking those questions. Not silly at all.

Another possible culprit: the valve itself. I have a tube currently on the back wheel of my road bike that is really hard to inflate. For some reason, it works with one of our two floor pumps and not the other.

I suggest taking your bike and your pump to the shop.

Good luck. And please stop putting yourself down.

[salsabike]

I went through something like this a few years ago. It turned out I was not pushing the stem far enough into the pump and it would get on just enough to let all the air out. Shove it on there firmly and then try it.

[Crankin]

I am also small and have to use all of my body weight to pump my tires.
Are you using threaded or non-threaded tubes? I have found the threaded ones difficult to work with for a variety of reasons, one being latching the valve of the pump on or taking it off.
We've had several pumps and generally I've found this is a "you get what you pay for" situation.

[TrekTheKaty]

Edit: Ooops, while I was typing my epic response, Cunninghamair said the same thing, but better!

Woo, hoo! I got one right. NO, I was typing my epic response :D

[tantrumbean]

I start struggling when I get to about 90psi on mine - have to lean really hard on my track pump to get the last 10 or so in, if I didn't use a track pump, I'd never manage it. But, I have found letting some air out before starting to pump really helps, it seems to open up the valve and it goes in much easier after that.

[OakLeaf]

But, I have found letting some air out before starting to pump really helps, it seems to open up the valve and it goes in much easier after that.

+1

Just press the valve lightly to break the seal, you don't have to let a lot of air out.

[Eden]

The pump you are using can make a huge, huge difference - and its not necessarily that the more expensive the pump the better.... we had a fancy, schmancy Italian Silca that I hated with a passion. It was fickle and took 3 hands and more than my entire body weight to operate. We have a Joe Blow now and other than the little rubber gasket on the head really needing replacing it is great - I can even get my TT bike tires up to 140 psi without having just pumping up the tires being an adequate warm up....

[Biciclista]

I also have a Joe Blow standup pump and once you get things going right, I can pump and pump! and i'm puny too.

[canonsue]

I have a suggestion that might work.

A portable electric compressor (like this (http://www.amazon.com/Viair-00073-Heavy-Portable-Compressor/dp/B0012WHBSO/ref=pd_ts_auto_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive).

And then a presta to schrader valve adapter for about $2.00.

Now, I have not tried this yet, even though I always carry one of these adapters in case I want to use my compressor instead of my bicycle pump. You would also need some kind of gauge.

[KSH]

I have issues pumping my tires too. Here's what you have to do... you have to unscrew the presta-valve all the way... and then tap on the top. For some reason, they can get... stuck... and then when you try to put air in, the air won't go in. Sometimes it takes a few tries of me putting the pump on... taking it off... tapping the presta-valve... trying again.

I have drained my tires of all their air sometimes because that stupid valve gets stuck.

Sometimes I worry I won't get any air in the tire because it gets stuck.

Because of the above reasons I HATE PUTTING AIR in my TIRES!

Try tapping the presta-valve and pumping it then. If you are pumping and it feels like the air is not going in, then the valve is stuck.

[Biciclista]

This Is Such A Great Thread!!!


Thank You!

[Pedal Wench]

A lot of times, you need to really push hard on the very first pump to get it to open the valve, so don't give up. Get that first push in, and the rest get easier.

[tribogota]

Very sorry that it is so frustrating! It is definitely frustrating to always take care of oneself and not have much help.
I train with professional athletes and if I don't have one of the "boys" help, I can't get the pump down either (they work up a sweat too)...I usually give up, as I do have people to help with the bike stuff but the day I don't, I am up sh-- creek.
The best thing is that it shows your perserverance!
All the above advice is really really great, thanks all.

[lo123]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has to use her body weight to pump up tires. My hubby and my other male riding buddies think it's hilarious to see me jumping down on the pump to get my tires to the right psi.

One thing I've found (with a Specialized floor pump and presta valves) is that if the pump handle seems "springy" and very difficult to push down, then I don't have it seated properly. Release and reapply until it doesn't feel springy.

[tctrek]

Wow, what a terrific thread! I think most of feel like an idiot jumping our whole body down on a stupid pump to get it to work! LOL -- it lifts me off the ground sometimes! I've also let all the air out of my stupid tires a few times.

So, none of us are stupid or weak, it must have been a man that invented the bicycle pump :):):) Maybe the same man that invented mammograms!

[Grog]

To all those who felt bad because they have trouble pumping up their tires and need to lift their feet off the ground to apply enough weight on their floor pump, think about this:

(And keep in mind that I'm not very good at physics. But I hope this makes sense.)

Think about how a bike pump works. You need to compress the air that's in the pump to the point where you build more pressure in the shaft of the pump than there already is in the tube, so that the air in the pump needs to "escape" in the tire. Let's say you're pumping your tires to 100 psi (Pound per Square Inch) and let's imagine that the surface of the bottom of your pump is 1 square inch (in fact it's probably a bit bigger than that), you need to push increasingly close to 100 pounds down as you approach 100 psi on the gauge, in order to push the volume of air that's in the pump into the tire.

For us petite women with not a whole lot of upper-body strength and not a lot of weight, it's almost as much as we our own weight!

[Zen]

Start doing those push ups.

[MomOnBike]

First, around here we just don't get crabby when someone asks a how-to-do-it question. We all have those. This is the place one goes to get legitimate questions answered. What is more legitimate than getting air in the tires?

Second, I really don't have much to add, but I agree that the pump could easily be bad - after all you were successful with another pump, right? - or the physics of the matter might be defeating you - you said you are small, right?

Me, I'd take the advice and get my bike and the pump to the LBS. If the pump is the culprit, toss the thing right there and get one that works. Test the very pump you are planning to buy right there in the store. Don't take home one that fights you.

Finally, once you get the pumping tires thing straightened out (and you WILL), and have more questions, come back here and ask. Please. We live but to serve.

[Trekhawk]

The pump you are using can make a huge, huge difference - and its not necessarily that the more expensive the pump the better.... we had a fancy, schmancy Italian Silca that I hated with a passion. It was fickle and took 3 hands and more than my entire body weight to operate. We have a Joe Blow now and other than the little rubber gasket on the head really needing replacing it is great - I can even get my TT bike tires up to 140 psi without having just pumping up the tires being an adequate warm up....

Hey it seems that we have the same pumps and the same feelings about both of them. The Silca only gets used by my husband I hate it. My problem with this pump is that once it is attached I can never seem to get it off. If I don't push it on as hard air comes out when I pump. It is just so much easier to use the Joe Blow with the lever then I have no disconnecting issues.:o

[redrhodie]

I also had trouble pumping at first. One thing that's helped me is position of the valve. I like it to be right at the floor, that way I get gravity helping lock the pump onto the stem.

Also, try unscrewing the valve nut a little less, not all the way open, and see if that helps.

[robinmarylong]

I just bought an air support mini pump. I can't find any instructions on how to mount it or a picture. Is it suppose to go on the water bottle cage? I would appreciate any help.

Thanks
Robin

[OakLeaf]

I like it to be right at the floor, that way I get gravity helping lock the pump onto the stem.

I like it to be at the top :p and I think that's actually where most people pump. You get the straightest run from the hose, so you're less likely to be fighting that resistance. But maybe it's just a hold-over from pumps without latches, like the Silca pump, where pumping with the valve at the top allowed you to hold it until a good seal was established.

Either way, top or bottom, probably minimizes the chance of damaging the valve stem, because you have a clean push-pull to put the pump head on and take it off.

[aicabsolut]

I put the valve at about 10 o'clock to get the pump head pushed securely on there with my right hand.
I have had some that seem to never quite get the valve engaged, and I've spent 30+minutes just letting air out of my tire. It's the pump, not my IQ.

As for getting tires up to road tire pressure, a taller/larger and rigid barrel to the pump will help make it easier than using a short plastic kid's size pump.

[Grog]

I just bought an air support mini pump. I can't find any instructions on how to mount it or a picture. Is it suppose to go on the water bottle cage? I would appreciate any help.

Thanks
Robin

I'd suggest starting a different thread with your question, with some more information about your pump. And welcome to TE! Please think about introducing yourself in the "Getting to know you" thread. :)

[lunacycles]

I'm 130 lbs and pump my road tires to 100 psi, max. 90 or 80 would be fine as long as I am paying attention to the crud on the road and my tires are in good shape. No need to go super high with psi if you are fairly light. That is for the big boys, or if you are trying to get the ultimate advantage in a race. A slightly softer tire makes a big difference in the comfort of your ride, and no damage results as long as you check the tire's psi frequently (i.e., don't let it get low).

The advice to press on the valve and let the valve open and a bit of air escape before pumping them up is very good. Also, orienting the valve so it is at 7 to 11 o-clock makes the pump happier and more likely to "seal." That is, the head of the pump shouldn't be at an awkward angle or be fighting the resistance of the hose when you attach it. This has all been said... And I find keeping my arms straight and using my whole upper body instead of just my arms to pump up tires really makes it quite do-able. I pump up a lot of tires and my pump ain't fancy...it costs about $40 retail.

[Mr. Bloom]

OK, what role does stem length have?


I find that shorter stems are much easier to attach and remove the pump from
But the LBS says "no, no no....long stems are best!"


Why? do they enjoy:

The bloody knuckles that result from getting banged on the cassette or sharp aero spokes as you struggle to pull the pump off the longer stem?
Selling more tubes because of the inevitable leaks that result from pulling so hard on the stems to extract the pump (and most of my flats come from slow leaks immediately around the stems...)?


They never have the short stems in stock...:mad:

Am I alone in this observation on stem size????

[OakLeaf]

That's weird, the smaller LBS's in my area normally stock only the 48 mm stems, the larger ones have all lengths in stock. I've never had them push me toward a longer stem. I agree that 38 mm stems are getting harder to find, but that's only because the shallowest rims are getting harder to find!

I'm guessing that your LBS has had experiences where people have bought tubes with stems that were too short for their rims, then blamed the LBS when they got stuck with a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. If they sell everyone 60 mm stems, then at least everyone will be able to use the tubes they bought.

I've been on a ride with someone who forgot to swap his spare tube out after switching to deep aero rims - and just the other day someone here posted that her DH had stocked her seat pack with the wrong tube.

I'm with you that it's best to use the shortest stem length that will work with your rim and pump head (different pumps grab different lengths of valve stem). Lighter, less angular torque on the valve stem if you aren't completely smooth with the pump. But if someone doesn't know what stem length she needs, I can definitely see the bike shop just selling them 60 mm and being done with it.

[tantrumbean]

Another observation, do road bikes lose pressure in the tyres faster than mtb? Both my bikes have presta valves, the mtb gets a top up every couple of weeks (and is used regularly during the week for communting), the road bike seems to lose about 20-30 psi in a week, even when not used. They are the stock tubes it came with and it did this before I even went on my first ride, so definitely no punctures...

[Biciclista]

the more pressure you put into a tube, the faster it's going to figure out how to get out.
If your MTB tire is at 50psi and your Road bike tire is at 150psi, there will be a dramatic diff. as to how much air is lost in time.

That's part of why i think you gals should check to see if you aren't overinflating the tires for your weight specs.

and my DH taught me a cool trick. make sure the valve is at the TOP of the wheel when you attach it to the pump. SO when you are ready to stop and pull it off you are pulling/pushing DOWN; so it's easier.

[tantrumbean]

The mtb is mainly ridden on the road, so the tyres are semi-slicks run at 70psi...the roadie is between 100 - 110, which seems to work fine (apart from losing air rather quickly). I weigh about 65-67kg, so maybe I could get away with a bit less, but I'm a bit worried about pinch flats, etc.

[Mr. Bloom]

I pump mine to 140psi...and the next day, they're 110.

[tantrumbean]

That's ok then, it's clearly not just me!!! :)

[Grog]

That's ok then, it's clearly not just me!!! :)

Definitely not.

On my road bike, the front tire loses about 10 psi overnight after pumping to 100, and the back tire only about 3-4 psi (same starting point). The front tire's tube seems to have a problem with it.

Even if I pump them to 110, it's pretty much the same result after a day or two.

I am not heavy (120 lbs) but I just can't ride my road bike on tires with pressure under 90 psi. It's pretty around here and tire pressure makes a world of difference.

[sundial]

Another observation, do road bikes lose pressure in the tyres faster than mtb?

Mtb tubes are usually heavier and hold air longer.

Oh the joys of pumping up the volume. I once sat alongside a trail trying to use my Blackburn pump on my mtb tire and broke the presta valve clean off. It continued to hold air but I learned to rethink hand pumps on the trail.

Then there are those darn floor pumps that don't want to latch on correctly. Or leak air. Or don't pump easily.

I use a Specialized floor pump that automatically fits both presta and schrader valves. I also have a small air compressor to air up my tires and that's the easiest and quickest method. I use it to air up my tubeless tires when I am converting them to Stan's.

[inatree]

That's OK, mine is slightly higher...and I can't get it right either;) Then I think I get it right and voile - I pull the stem out of the tube!

that makes me feel better.

[inatree]

Normal (well, for us small ladies). I typically have to use my whole body to get the last 20-25psi in my tires (road or mountain, though mainly road). Yes, this means looking ridiculous as I lean over the pump and lift my feet off the ground so all my body weight is on it. You are not alone. :o

Your pump should be making your life easier by getting a good seal though (you shouldn't hear air escaping). May really be your pump, take it with you to the shop next time and see if they can help you get it to work with yours (rather than their $175 models that, while very very nice, aren't practical for us mere mortals :) )

Edited for story to make you feel better (or at least not alone):

Two years ago in a bike shop very close to you (Sunnyvale, CA) I was shopping for a mountain bike. A nice young salesman gladly pulled the XXS version out of storage in the back, of course with two flat tires. He then proceeded to try to get a good enough seal to fill the first tire for 10 minutes before finally conceding and sulking off embarrassed to get his manager to help. It then took the manager 5 more minutes to get a seal. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! (and yes, I've done the same thing too, finally threw the darned pump (mini pump) against the wall and broke it for good....good riddance!!)


omg this makes me feel a lot better too.

[inatree]

well, i didn't want to show myself around here again until i figured this thing out...and i kind of sort of did.

i decided to keep riding more often so i wouldn't have to pump as much. this worked out in that i figured out how to briefly pump my tires to a good enough pressure without any drama. then i got a flat. still not sure how i did this since i just changed it and inspected the tire and the tube and couldn't really find any sort of hole or tear that i could see in the area where the puncture is. it's been a long time since my last flat so it took me a while to refresh my memory, and successfully completed the task until....the dreaded tire pumping issues resurfaced. i wasn't apprehensive this time and figured it would go smoothly since i was proud of myself for changing the flat without issue. (after not being able to push a bike pump handle all the way down you will be proud of things like this) i then proceeded to pump the tire up and could not get above 60 psi, which doesn't feel like enough. i have tried and tried and tried and can't get it above 60. i weigh 110 lbs but i think i should have at least 80 in there.

i'm not going anywhere today but maybe if i try tomorrow i will be able to get it to 80. i had to stop because i wore myself out :o

[cylegoddess]

I totally understand! I dont have anyone to help me either. Im small, and dont weigh much, and also have a illness that makes it almost impossible to do some stuff too.
My pump( joe blow sprint) was 69 aus.I know its alot.I had to get it after having crap pumps, one after another, they broke or leak or dont work.
It took me ( and I had some help) to change the tire, a whole HOUR.
I cant get the tube on the rim!:mad:
But bought the pump. Lost air quite a few times and had major embarrassment when I called the shop to say, it wont work!( Turns out I had turned the clip that secures the nozzle, to presta( if thats the one that doesnt have the screw on valve, like cars. I have the screw on valve ones).
Sometimes its almost impossible to get air in those tires, without needing a rest! I do need pushups, if I could only get over shoulder problems!
Im so paranoid about flats, that every time I go thru glass, I stop and pick the bits off the tire( no blow outs yet but one! In a year).
My tires are pumped to 120( 0n a strong day) and they leak air also.
The pump is great though. I have a small one for gas, but had to practice a bit. Its just too hard on road to use small pump( and its a good one with gauge and flip out stand bit and unfolding handle). So I have a inexpensive pump( that fits in backpack) for gas and little pump for flats, in case I screw up the gas(!) and use Joe Blow at home.
I hope it gets easier. I lose air from tires, about every three times.Your not alone, and I feel for you!:o

[RolliePollie]

Great thread! Isn't it crazy that putting air in a tire causes all of us so much grief?!?!

I used to always have bloody gashes all over my knuckles from hitting my spokes when I fought to pull the pump off the valve. It would suddenly release and wham, another bloody gash. So I have a thick fleece winter glove that I put on before I pull the pump off. But I don't carry the glove with me on the bike, so this is only for at-home tire pumping.

My LBS gave me a great tip for getting a good seal on a presta valve. Spit on the valve or into the pump...yes, this is gross, but I swear it helps. I'm sure you could also use water. It seems to help the rubber gasket inside the pump seal to the valve.

[featuretile]

I have a Planet Bike floor pump. It costs $26.49 on Amazon. Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-1007-3-Handle-Durable/dp/B0015R7TUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1248964041&sr=8-1
It has both presta and schraeder options. I am a small woman and have no problems pumping up my tires. I have no relation to Planet Bike, but I like their products and philosophy. I think they started off in a garage and make quality products at reasonable prices, and donate some of their money to bike causes. Don't let low tires stop you from biking!

[mekira]

This is a great thread :) I usually totally deflated my tires before I can get them pumped :rolleyes: I'm also small and getting them pumped to 110 is hard. I'm going to try getting some air out before I pump to see if it helps....

[spazzdog]

WE should have a NoCal TE pump party...

Meet in a parking lot somewhere and each person demonstrate our tire inflating method... then set the whole thing to music and submit it to you-tube.

I have a floor pump with the dealies you stand on (so the pump doesn't travel). When I pump I end up doing these wacked out plee-ays (ballet help here) because my legs are long and the pump is short.

I'm 125 lbs and pump to psi 130... unless its wet outside.

spazz

(the champion of dumb questions ;) )