Remember to air up those tires!

[bikerchick68]

Hey KSH... I had a bike pump that was hard to use at one point too... and kept cutting my hand on the chainrings and cogs it was so hard to get off... I finally bought the "Big Red Pump" from Nashbar... it was about $30 but EASY to use so for me a great investment!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Yea, I bought this nice tire pump, and I am scared to use it, because I can't seem to get the attachment to the tire (?? what is the stick called where you put the air in ) ) on and off without a HUGE struggle.

Your pump really shouldn't be hard to use. If you're still having problems I'd recommend asking one of your cycling friends (or someone at your LBS) to show you how to attach the pump. But - do you have a floor pump or a frame pump? I have a good solid floor pump that I use at home, and then I use a Topeak Road Morph pump on the road. It's bigger than those teeny tiny frame pumps, but I can easily get my tires up to full pressure - which I can't with the smaller pumps.

Riding with tires that aren't at the right pressue will make you more vulnerable to flats.

--- Denise

[caligurl]

I like to check things on my bike before going too. It's called.. "HUNI GO LOOK AT MY BIKE" you gotta love having a guy who rides and knows more than you

DITTO!! lol! hubby LOVES to work on the bikes... so he takes care of mine for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[betagirl]

For a floor pump, I have Topeak Joeblow sport pump (about $30 on nashbar). It's easier to put on the valve stem than other pumps I've borrowed when I forget to air up, and supports presta and schrader tube types. Be careful not to force the pump off the stem, as you can pull the damn thing right off your tube. I did that once when I was in a hurry. Then I got to replace my tube When I put it on, I keep my thumb over the hole for the schrader tubes (it's on the opposite side as the one I'm putting on my bike) to keep air from coming out.

As for adding air, I do it every couple of days. I inflate to about 110 psi.

[Rakekay]

I was late for a 52-mile ride Saturday morning and hurriedly threw my gear together, gave the tires the 'thumb test' and pushed off. I could not figure out why I was having such a hard time. Got dropped early and never caught up till the rest stop. Headed out again and my friend Steve said, 'Your back tire looks low.' Sure enough, we put CO2 in and I was off and running.

Believe it or not, that's the first time I've ever headed out without checking tire pressure with the gauge and adding air. I won't make that mistake again!

Thanks for the tip on the leavers. I'll make that part of the routine from now on.

Congrats on riding with the grandson. Good times!

How do you use that CO2 thing anyway?

[Trekhawk]

honeywell23
Thanks for bringing an early morning smile to my face.
I learn heaps from this forum and also get plenty of laughs
Thanks all

[SadieKate]

When I put it on, I keep my thumb over the hole for the schrader tubes (it's on the opposite side as the one I'm putting on my bike) to keep air from coming out.

Umm, I think something is wrong with your pump. The internal gaskets/mechanisms/thingy-bobs should seal off the other hole when mounted on a tire valve.

[bikerchick68]

How do you use that CO2 thing anyway?

rakekay... you buy a CO2 dispenser... there are 2 kinds that I know of... one has a threaded (so you screw it in) air cartridge and is pretty small but the cartridges are expensive, the other is a non-threaded dispenser and you can get the CO2 at Walmart... cheap!

You put the cartridge into the dispenser and screw the top on which punctures the cartridge allowing air to flow out when you're ready. Then you put the dispenser onto your valve just like you do a bike pump... push down and wahlah! Instant air! Much easier than pumping... I actually carry both. The reason is that I usually carry ONE CO2 for a flat BUT heaven help me if I flat more than once, or pinch the tube when I changed it... then I have the pump as a backup... also if I flat and use my CO2 and then come upon another rider with a flat I have a pump if needed...

hope that helps!

[abarensfeld7]

I'm with Denise on this one---I add air before every ride unless I'm in a rush!
I also like to top off to 110psi. I hate how you loose that little bit of pressure when you take take the pump head off the valve, so I figure after that I'm still ahead of 100psi and I'll roll just a little faster with the extra top-off

I wouldn't recommend this, but I've heard of a guy who rolls 140psi and hasn't gotten a flat for years! Your bike can really do some unfriendly things when pressure is that high though...

[CorsairMac]

Hey biker chick?....why not just carry an extra cartridge? I always carry 1 cartridge in the housing and an extra one on the side. If I'm riding alone over very long distance - I pack 2 more in the camelback, that way I've got Plenty just in case!

[betagirl]

Umm, I think something is wrong with your pump. The internal gaskets/mechanisms/thingy-bobs should seal off the other hole when mounted on a tire valve.

It has a lever to seal it off, but when you first put it on the opposite side isn't sealed. Sorry, wasn't clear. Don't have to hold it shut when I pump

[abarensfeld7]

Been wondering this about CO2 cartridges...
Does one cartridge fill up an entire tube? Road and MTB?
And if you just need to top off your air pressure, can you use CO2? Or is it a one-shot deal sort of thing...once you've punctured the cartridge, do you have to use it all at once?

Hate my teenytiny pump...very ineffective and it doesn't fit in my under-saddle pack, so I have have it strapped on the bottom of the pack with thick rubberbands...hehe ugly but it works. Don't like to carry things in my jersey pocket other than yummies and route sheets!

[singletrackmind]

Yea, I bought this nice tire pump, and I am scared to use it, because I can't seem to get the attachment to the tire (?? what is the stick called where you put the air in ) ) on and off without a HUGE struggle.

I hit my hand the first time I tried to do it on my own and it hurt for 2 days.

So now, I look pathetic and ask guys to pump my tires up. Sad, I know.

The stick is called a valve and there are two different kinds. The schrader valve is black and rubber-coated and the actual valve is down inside. The presta valve is metal and skinnier and the valve which you unscrew to open is at the top.
Yeah, sometimes they are hard to get on and off but it gets easier with practice. Also, sometimes slightly unscrewing the pump side of the deal makes a difference. Slightly, though.
Oh, and OUCH! I really hate it when that happens!
And some guys like playing Mr. Macho. There's a thread on the perils of that somewhere around here, too.

[ACG]

I've been watching this thread for a while and it made me realize I needed to be more on top of my tires. Started at 7:00 p.m.

I checked the tires, the back one has been getting low pretty often. It was at 50 PSI, front tire was at 60 PSI.

I pulled off both tires, checked them for wholes, tears, etc. Used white towels (now black).

Tried to use the handpump, I'm too lame I guess.
I have an air compressor, so I thought, I'm sooo lucky. NOT. Couldn't find the adapter, had to call hubby, found the adapter. Couldn't get the compressor to work. Finally got it to work. Filled my tires. Misplaced the tire gage (again) found the gage. Both tires felt good to my but the reading was 70 PSI.

Checked the tires for leaks again. Filled the tires, again, both are at 75 PSI.
It was now about 9:45 pm. Had to get food for the dog. At 10:15, ate and icecream sandwich.

Got up at 5, checked tire pressure, still at 75 PSI. Put air in the tires again, still at 75 PSI.

Took the bike out, felt a bump, not a flat, but a rolling bump, so everytime the back tire rolled, it was like there was something there in under the tire. The faster I went the more bumpy I got.

Turned down another street, newly paved, still rolling bump. Pulled over to the brand new drug store parking lot, newly paved also and well lit at 5:15 am and traffic free.

Played with bike tire for about 40 minutes.
Got home at 6:20
Fed Dog
Took shower
Put bike in car
I'll be at the bike shop at noon.

[SadieKate]

ACG - are you using an air compressor meant for cars? How high a pressure is it meant to go? I'd be afraid to leave it unattended in case it blew the tube and tire off the rim.

When you're at the LBS, I would recommend investing in a floor pump. SO, much better and easier and accurate. We have one in the car so that tires get pumped up once we're at the ride and it's elevation. Elevation may not be a factor for you, but yellow keeps dragging me out to high altitude rides . . . oh wait, I just suggested one at Donner Pass. Oops.