Presta Valves

I don't know what I do wrong, but I have the hardest time putting air in my road bikes with the presta valves. I'm usually in a hurry, but if I take my time, it works OK. Is there some trick to these or is it just me?

As far as I know, the only trick is making sure you have unscrewed the little locking doohicky all the way and giving it a little tap-and-hiss, and making sure you have the pump head lined up with the valve (straight on) before you press them together.

I also find if I press the valve for 2-3 seconds and let some air out I have much easier time pumping it back up

Thanks ladies, I'll try this next time. BTW, I do use an adapter.

I had an incident a couple of weeks back where I bent the skinny end thingy of my presta valve when I was adding air. Tire went flat and repeated attempts to straighten the end and refill the tire failed. It just wouldn't hold air. I was about to change the tube when I decided to try putting the strader/presta valve adapter on and filling it up. It worked! I haven't taken it off and have since added air to maintain a full pressure. Now I added another adapter to the other tire and I am good to go (*knock on wood*).

If you feel that you're struggling too much, you can always keep a couple adapters. They're $2 at REI (at least where I am).

I bought schrader adapters too after having problems getting air in my tires.

Just bought a new pump that 'automatically' adjusts for schrader or presta without having to change the head.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CyborgQueen

If you feel that you're struggling too much, you can always keep a couple adapters. They're $2 at REI (at least where I am).

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Presta adapters?? hmmm. I'll look into that as well. I've bent mine a time or two, but always could put air in except once, when I broke it and then killed the spare tube. oh well, happens to everyone at some point. Jenn