Tire Inflation Issue

**rij73** · 03-06-2008, 01:56 PM

On my pump, you put the nozzle on while the lever is closed (ie flush up against the hose). You push the nozzle onto the valve and then open the lever up to lock it. It is exactly the opposite of what I would have thought until DH showed me how to do it... I felt like such a girl.

**Zen** · 03-06-2008, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by rij73

and then open the lever up to lock it.

So at this point is the lever straight up (aligned with the valve stem) or is it at a 45degree angle to the valve stem?

**Bad JuJu** · 03-06-2008, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by zencentury

So at this point is the lever straight up (aligned with the valve stem) or is it at a 45degree angle to the valve stem?

On my pump (Planet Bike), the lever is straight up when it's locked onto the valve.

**Grog** · 03-06-2008, 03:26 PM

Most pumps I've used it was straight up, in the same direction as the stem of the tube.

**Possegal** · 03-06-2008, 03:29 PM

Well at least I'm glad to see this isn't just my problem.

I am having a devil of a time with the pump I have, which works fine on my hybrid. And I was able to fill my tires with my brother in law's pump, but can't keep doing that. Now I will go home and try again. My last resort, bring in either my brother in law or friend who can show me what the heck I'm doing wrong.

**rij73** · 03-06-2008, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by zencentury

So at this point is the lever straight up (aligned with the valve stem) or is it at a 45degree angle to the valve stem?

Yep, straight up, aligned with the valve stem.

**Zen** · 03-06-2008, 03:36 PM

Well, now it's dark out

and I have to go to work

and it's supposed to rain for the next two days

I'll send myself this thread in an email

**Eden** · 03-06-2008, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by pooks

I got this "Joe Blow" by Topeak

Just used it tonight. My husband hooked up the valves and I pumped -- it was fast and easy.

I have one of these as well. I specially requested it as the only thing I wanted for Christmas after struggling, swearing, throwing fits at our old school Silca. My husband was really resistant - loved that classic pump, didn't need any fancy pants new fangled thing kind of attitude... well, the Silca has been sacrificed for parts

I can pump up my TT tires to 140 psi with no problems with the Joe Blow.

**Grog** · 03-06-2008, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Possegal

Well at least I'm glad to see this isn't just my problem.

I am having a devil of a time with the pump I have, which works fine on my hybrid. And I was able to fill my tires with my brother in law's pump, but can't keep doing that. Now I will go home and try again. My last resort, bring in either my brother in law or friend who can show me what the heck I'm doing wrong.

Sorry if that sounds obvious, just in case:
Pump works fine with your hybrid but not on your road bike? What type of valves are there on your road bike? Usually hybrids have tubes with Schreader valves and road bikes almost always have Presta...

Some (few) pumps work with both at the same time; for other pumps you have to unscrew parts and rescrew in a different order; for other pumps there are two sides, one for Presta, one for Schreader.

**Zen** · 03-06-2008, 07:27 PM

I am pumped out.
As embarrassing as it should be, I'm gonna end up taking the bike to the shop and demonstrating my flawed technique.
At least I bought the pump from the shop. If I hadn't I don't think I'd have the nerve.

**smilingcat** · 03-06-2008, 09:56 PM

Some presta pumps are not all that easy and some with dual fitting (fit shrader) can cause problems. So don't feel bad if you have to take your floor pump into LBS and have them show you.

Eden,

140psi??? Is it continental tires?? You said you are small around 5 feet so you must be pretty light. At140PSI the tire is going to feel like a solid tire or worse like riding on the rims. No? I've only inflated my tires to 120PSI and it felt so rough while riding. Granted for TT you want to minimize the rolling resistance but

140PSI??

smilingcat

**Aquila** · 03-07-2008, 03:10 AM

I was having terrible problems at one point with my pump; I just couldn't get it to work. So rather than get more upset (and having deflated my tires too much to ride), I took it to my lbs and asked for help learning to use it properly. So they tried it. And tried it. And realized it was broken!

They gave me a new pump (I'd bought mine there), made sure I was comfortable using it, and off I went!

They've always been great with my questions, and encouraging, but I was still embarrassed to ask how to use the pump. And then I wasn't

**lph** · 03-07-2008, 03:34 AM

Based on this chart, which a very kind soul, I forget who, scanned from an old cycling magazine and posted here on TE once, I pump my road bike tires to about 90 psi. Seems to work fine for me. Compared to my cushy mtb tires a road bike feels like a "hard ride" anyway. I use 60 on my mtb on the road, and 40 off-road.

**rij73** · 03-07-2008, 06:13 AM

I've seen that chart before on here. I come out as needing to inflate to only 75psi. That doesn't even reach the low number printed on my tire, so I was afraid of keeping the pressure so low. Perhaps I shouldn't be? I'm pumping them up to 90 these days, and the bike feels comfortable.

**Possegal** · 03-07-2008, 07:29 AM

don't worry about sounding obvious. :-) but yes, different valves and different parts with the pump. that part i'm doing right. i think it may be that i'm not getting the pump securely on the road bike as i stop too soon while attaching because i think i'm deflating. then when i pump, no change in the gauge and quickly the pump sort of pops off. but may be i need to deflate a bit first, if that makes any sense?? i'll be pestering my friend to come help me this weekend, next step could be to the bike store either for help or a new pump.

i swear to God i'm a fairly smart girl, this issue not withstanding.

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