Adding air

[OakLeaf]

I have a Specialized Air Tool Comp that gets used on both Presta and Schraeder valves - that one does take a bit of a push-pull to get on and off the valves, but NBD. As I mentioned, I've only had it for less than a season, so I don't know how well the gasket will last.

At my summer home I have a Serfas TCPG. That's also a self-adapting pump, although it's never seen a Schraeder valve, it's just what the shop had for sale. It goes on the Presta valve and comes off easily.

(I see on Serfas' website that they now offer a women's specific pump It's lavender and printed with flowers. So much less phallic than a regular pump )

Neither one of mine was expensive ($40 and $30). I tried to rebuild my old Silca pump with new gaskets, but it just won't push more than about an indicated 95 lbs, with a lot of effort. Maybe there's rust inside the bore or something, poor old thing.

Honestly I've never calibrated the gauges on either of my new pumps. For the kind of riding I do nowadays, the pump gauge is accurate enough. The tire feels hard to my thumb, the tire and spokes make a nice "ping" when I smack it, close enough for a "B"-level club ride


Anyway, +1 to what Grog said, too.

[Kano]

I have a Specialized Air Tool Comp that gets used on both Presta and Schraeder valves - that one does take a bit of a push-pull to get on and off the valves, but NBD. As I mentioned, I've only had it for less than a season, so I don't know how well the gasket will last.

Me too! I was going to post last night, but had to look at my pump to see! Yes, I agree -- a bit persnickety to get the widget on the presta gizmo, much easier on the schrader gizmo, but it works well for me, now that I've got the knack. We're on our third season with it -- and as Oak said, about $30. It's got a pressure gauge built in, down there on the floor, just far enough away so that I can read it with my contacts in! (no reading vision in those, but who needs that while biking?)

Karen in Boise

[SouthernBelle]

While Meg was airing her tires up this evening before our ride, she was having the same problem. She had pressed the nozzle down firmly and pulled up the lever. I think her problem was that she was pressing it on too firmly. Try just pushing it on enough to cover just what needs to be covered and not as far as it will go.

HTH,