putting air in tires . . . . sigh

[limewave]

I have to confess I'm one of those women who relies on her husband for mechanical help with the bike--even pumping up the tires. Alas, today, dh is working late and there is a group ride tonight (the first I'll actually be able to make this season!). And in all my attempts to pump the tires, I have nearly, completely deflated them.

I'm am so embarrassed that I am going to have to ask for some strangers help. I should totally know how to do this. I've been riding for 3 years. I've asked DH to show me but he's always to busy. Perhaps its a plot to keep me dependent on him. I mean really, in 3 years he hasn't had 5 minutes to show me how to put air in my tires????? (I'm really good at blaming dh for all my problems).

I guess I'll head back outside and see if I can figure this out on my own yet. I can't believe I am finding this simple task so difficult. Urgh.

[DrBee]

If your pump has 2 sides to the nozzle, make sure that the side you are not using (i.e., for schraeder valves if you have presta valves) is blocked off. Turn the lever to the size you are not using.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

[dachshund]

I can't get much air in the tire if I don't have a "floor" style pump - my hands and arms aren't strong enough. I need to be able to put my weight into it. The Topeak Road Morph is close enough for government work... but if you have trouble doing this at home, invest in a floor pump. My 2 cents.

Now, if you happen to flag down a sharp looking dude to help with the tire in the meantime... you might leverage this to motivate DH to gettin' that training off his plate... I'm just sayin'. :D

[Deanna]

Inflating tires will seem pretty routine, only after you've done it. There's some basic information you need or your going to deflate (or possibly blow up) your tire:

1. What type of valve stem do you have? Schraeder (threaded like a screw, looks similar to the stem of a car's tire) or presta (smooth). This will determine which outlet on the pump you need to use.
2. What type of pump valve do you have? My husband has had a Silca pump for a long time--it works great, but if you don't know you need to take apart the valve and turn the barrel around to switch between presta & schraeder, you're never going to get that tire pumped.
3. Check the sidewall of the tire for minimum and maximum PSI recommended by the manufacturer. This is usually near the brand and may just be listed as "80-120 PSI". Your tire pressure needs to be in this range, but should take into account your riding. If it's too low you could get a pinch flat. Too high and your ride will be BUMPY and, some say, more susceptible to debris flats. Once using an automatic pump I blew up a tube by going over the maximum rating.
4. If you don't have the information above, do not attempt to pump your tire on your own, it will probably just be frustrating. Post back with the tire and the pump type so we can give you more complete directions!

[Tuckervill]

This is a total Fredwina answer, but how about putting it on the bike rack and taking it to the gas station and using the compressed air? I guess it won't work if you have Presta valves on your tires, but hey, it's worth a shot.

Make sure you have a tire guage so you know when to stop.

Karen

[chickwhorips]

This is a total Fredwina answer, but how about putting it on the bike rack and taking it to the gas station and using the compressed air? I guess it won't work if you have Presta valves on your tires, but hey, it's worth a shot.

and while there do as dachshund said and flag down a cute dude.... worries are all gone and you can ride!

everyone's a winner

[SalsaMTB]

This is a total Fredwina answer, but how about putting it on the bike rack and taking it to the gas station and using the compressed air? I guess it won't work if you have Presta valves on your tires, but hey, it's worth a shot.

Make sure you have a tire guage so you know when to stop.

Karen


Works if you have the adapter! If you don't have one, get one, they're really cheap and sold at all bike shops. I'm spoiled, I use an air compressor to fill my tires.

Also, if you have presta valves, be sure you open it by unscrewing the lock nut. If you deflated your tires and you have presta valve, then you already know this, but for other girls who may not know! I've had people come in the shop who couldn't fill their tires because they didn't know to unscrew the lock nut.

[Deanna]

This is a total Fredwina answer, but how about putting it on the bike rack and taking it to the gas station and using the compressed air? I guess it won't work if you have Presta valves on your tires, but hey, it's worth a shot.

Make sure you have a tire guage so you know when to stop.

Karen

This works if you have a bike rack and presta valves or a converter, but there's nothing like the convenience of being able to pump up your tire at home before you hit the road. Or the peace of mind of knowing how to do it when fixing a flat and you're too far from a gas station!

[KSH]

I'm am so embarrassed that I am going to have to ask for some strangers help. I should totally know how to do this.

There is no shame in asking for some help! Go up to an older man who rides in your group and ask him to show you how to use your pump to air up your tires.

He will be more than happy to assist.

When in doubt... or frustrated... ask for help.


OH... and I too had this problem when I had this horrible pump that was impossible to use. I seriously deflated my tire one day and had to stop by the bike shop to get it aired back up....even though I had a pump at home. Yes, I finally bought a tire pump that I can use.

[Tuckervill]

This works if you have a bike rack and presta valves or a converter, but there's nothing like the convenience of being able to pump up your tire at home before you hit the road. Or the peace of mind of knowing how to do it when fixing a flat and you're too far from a gas station!

Yeah, I was just trying to solve her immediate problem.

I personally have my own air compressor out in the work shop, so I never have to use a hand pump! ;)

I am buying a hand pump for when we go to Santa Fe to hit the trails in September, though. I'll be checking out the pump threads here before I buy. Right now I don't ride very far from anywhere I couldn't get help or air or cell phone service so I don't worry about it.

Karen

[margo49]

I know the one about embarrassment. :o
But I got over it. Had to 'cos I've needed a lot of help at times
It's actually very simple:
1. People *want* to help.
2. People *like* to help.
3. They are so busy enjoying helping you they haven't got the energy to think at the same time "Yeeeowww! Is she stoopid or what?!"

This goes for all of life, not just bike maintenance

[Lise]

I bought a pump with a woman-specific-design. The pump part is shorter, which means it takes less force to get the air in. It is pink, although LBS tells me they come in non-pink, as well. Although I'm no weakling in upper body strength, I could not pump the tires up to 131 psi with a taller pump. I love the pink pump!

You can see a picture of it here:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h187/lisecnm/Triathlon/Towertri06bikepump.jpg

[Grog]

3. They are so busy enjoying helping you they haven't got the energy to think at the same time "Yeeeowww! Is she stoopid or what?!"

This goes for all of life, not just bike maintenance

Actually, they'd rather think they're smart than think you're stupid.

I know, I'm like that!

[pooks]

Okay, I have a question about all this, too!

The book I bought on riding said to check your air before every ride. Um, no, I haven't. We aired up the tires (using an air compressor hooked up to my husband's car -- he carries it in the back end all the time) when we first assembled the bikes and haven't checked since. (That has been about ten days, now, and I've ridden 31 miles and he's ridden half that.)

How often do you check?

[slinkedog]

I am one of those who checks my tires before every ride. They don't *always* need a pump up, but most of the time, they do. :)

[SadieKate]

Limewave, did you get the tire filled?

I hope you didn't go to a gas station and use the compressor. Even with a tire gauge, you could cause some damage. Having seen tires blow off rims, not a good plan. If you can't get any pressure with a floor pump, this isn't going to work either. You need to diagnose the problem.

And, KSH, why ask an older man for help. A woman, young or old, wouldn't know?? A young man? :confused: I think you just slighted a whole dang large segment of the population (and I know older men who aren't allowed to touch my bike - for gawd's sack, one politely helped me get ready for a ride once and put his greasy fingers all over my brake rotor while closing the QR). Ahem . . . I think there are a whole lot of TE forum members waiting to hear your reasoning.:)

[li10up]

Okay, I have a question about all this, too!

The book I bought on riding said to check your air before every ride. Um, no, I haven't. We aired up the tires (using an air compressor hooked up to my husband's car -- he carries it in the back end all the time) when we first assembled the bikes and haven't checked since. (That has been about ten days, now, and I've ridden 31 miles and he's ridden half that.)

How often do you check?
I check mine before every ride. I ride about every other day and in that short of time my tire pressure goes from 100psi to 90psi.

[Deanna]

Okay, I have a question about all this, too!

The book I bought on riding said to check your air before every ride. Um, no, I haven't. We aired up the tires (using an air compressor hooked up to my husband's car -- he carries it in the back end all the time) when we first assembled the bikes and haven't checked since. (That has been about ten days, now, and I've ridden 31 miles and he's ridden half that.)

How often do you check?


I do an ABC check before every ride - Air, Brakes, Cranks. As a cyclist it's your responsibility to make sure your bikes in good working order before you get on the road. It also leaves you less to worry about so you can enjoy the ride more.

[DebW]

Okay, I have a question about all this, too!

The book I bought on riding said to check your air before every ride. Um, no, I haven't. We aired up the tires (using an air compressor hooked up to my husband's car -- he carries it in the back end all the time) when we first assembled the bikes and haven't checked since. (That has been about ten days, now, and I've ridden 31 miles and he's ridden half that.)

How often do you check?

You need to calibrate your thumb. Then you can check before every ride and it only takes 2 seconds per tire. That's my technique. Every tube leaks slowly, and the leak rate varies by tube thickness and material. It's a function of time, not of how often or how far you ride. Most bike tires need a few pump strokes every 3-5 days to maintain pressure, depending on how wide your acceptable tire pressure range is. So if you ride everyday, you don't really have to check your tires every ride, but if you ride once a week you should.

[Grog]

Okay, I have a question about all this, too!

The book I bought on riding said to check your air before every ride. Um, no, I haven't. We aired up the tires (using an air compressor hooked up to my husband's car -- he carries it in the back end all the time) when we first assembled the bikes and haven't checked since. (That has been about ten days, now, and I've ridden 31 miles and he's ridden half that.)

How often do you check?

Low pressure tires (like those on your hybrid) loose air less quickly than high-pressure road bike tires.

On my road bike I add air at every ride, or at least every other day. I don't bother checking the pressure and re-inflating: I just plug the pump on (it has a pressure gauge) and pump them back to 100-110, they're always at about 90-95.

On my hybrid, when I didn't have a road bike, I would pump the tires once a week or so.

On my current city-bike, that I just use to go around campus, never more than 5 km away, I pumped the tires .... hum, in January. Maybe I should check them out!

[pooks]

Okay, thanks -- I need to definitely check my tires!

[hibiscus09]

I checked mine today for the first time in about a week. Wrong! They were way lower in air pressure than I would have thought from just checking by squeezing the tire with my fingers! I'll start checking them for each ride. :o