have never pumped a tire properly. HELP

[maryellen]

Are you taking your pump to the bike shop for the tutorial or are they demonstrating on a different pump?

[Zen]

When I was having a hard time I took my pump into the shop and asked them to show me what I was doing wrong.
Turned out I wasn't doing anything wrong, it was a defective pump.

Here's an instructional video-
http://www.ehow.com/video_4974894_in...bike-tire.html

[inatree]

well you are all being pretty nice considering my little rant there.

the strangest thing just happened. after thinking the above thought, i decided to try again and i just put the nozzle farther out, just to see if it would work, and it worked better. the only problem still is one that i don't think is related to the pump or anything...i have a hard time pushing the handle all the way down, either because i have weak upper body strength or i am small, i don't know. anyone else have this problem? it was still a workout, but at least i have enough air. it's still not the recommended amount tho.

now for the other tire. i'm glad the sun's still out.

[MartianDestiny]

i have a hard time pushing the handle all the way down, either because i have weak upper body strength or i am small, i don't know. anyone else have this problem?

Normal (well, for us small ladies). I typically have to use my whole body to get the last 20-25psi in my tires (road or mountain, though mainly road). Yes, this means looking ridiculous as I lean over the pump and lift my feet off the ground so all my body weight is on it. You are not alone.

Your pump should be making your life easier by getting a good seal though (you shouldn't hear air escaping). May really be your pump, take it with you to the shop next time and see if they can help you get it to work with yours (rather than their $175 models that, while very very nice, aren't practical for us mere mortals )

Edited for story to make you feel better (or at least not alone):

Two years ago in a bike shop very close to you (Sunnyvale, CA) I was shopping for a mountain bike. A nice young salesman gladly pulled the XXS version out of storage in the back, of course with two flat tires. He then proceeded to try to get a good enough seal to fill the first tire for 10 minutes before finally conceding and sulking off embarrassed to get his manager to help. It then took the manager 5 more minutes to get a seal. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! (and yes, I've done the same thing too, finally threw the darned pump (mini pump) against the wall and broke it for good....good riddance!!)

[Pedal Wench]

Different pumps "latch" onto the stem in different ways - are you sure you're securing it properly? Some have a lever, some a knob, some twist - make sure you're latching it on.

And, when you unscrew the valve, I hit the valve to release a bit of air - this seems to open up the valve to make that first pump easier.

And finally, some pumps are easier than others. I have to lean all my weight on mine too (and I'm not a very light person!) and I've borrowed pumps that take almost no effort at all.

Edit: Ooops, while I was typing my epic response, Cunninghamair said the same thing, but better!

[PamNY]

Definitely take your pump to the bike shop, if you haven't already. It sounds like there might be something wrong with it.

I don't think you need to spend $175. My $40 Joe Blow pump is fairly easy to use, though it does take some strength. It occasionally doesn't hook up right at first and some air escapes, so I try again.

I wouldn't apologize for asking any bike-related question in this group. Overall it's a helpful bunch, and the smartest person can be stymied by the simplest task. It's especially hard if you don't have biking friends to give you in-person advice. I have asked some very basic questions here and gotten lots of help.

Pam

[TrekTheKaty]

Edit: Ooops, while I was typing my epic response, Cunninghamair said the same thing, but better!

Woo, hoo! I got one right. NO, I was typing my epic response

[tantrumbean]

I start struggling when I get to about 90psi on mine - have to lean really hard on my track pump to get the last 10 or so in, if I didn't use a track pump, I'd never manage it. But, I have found letting some air out before starting to pump really helps, it seems to open up the valve and it goes in much easier after that.

[OakLeaf]

Inside area of a cross-section of the barrel of my floor pump = about one inch.

Pressure I inflate my tires to = 115 PSI.

Do the math. It's not my entire body weight, but it might be yours! It's awkward, more than it really takes strength, with a floor pump. (Think of parallel bars, or a narrow staircase, and you'll realize that you can easily support your body weight with both hands. But with a pump, you have to bend over, have your hands close together and pronated, etc.)

+1 to what Andrea said ... all of it.

[ilima]

Look at Specialized's floor pumps. I've found them to the most reliably easy pumps to use.

I've definitely had some PITA pumps, including a Blackburn that never seemed latch on to my valve properly and a Joe Blow with a head that fell apart just outside the 60 day warranty period.

Specialized's Airtool comes in Sport, Comp and Pro models ($ to $$$). I'd go for the Comp as it has a metal base.

Also, get a CO2 pump to carry with you on rides. And buy extra CO2 cartridges so you can practice.

[Grog]

Please don't apologize for asking those questions. Not silly at all.

Another possible culprit: the valve itself. I have a tube currently on the back wheel of my road bike that is really hard to inflate. For some reason, it works with one of our two floor pumps and not the other.

I suggest taking your bike and your pump to the shop.

Good luck. And please stop putting yourself down.

[salsabike]

I went through something like this a few years ago. It turned out I was not pushing the stem far enough into the pump and it would get on just enough to let all the air out. Shove it on there firmly and then try it.

[inatree]

Normal (well, for us small ladies). I typically have to use my whole body to get the last 20-25psi in my tires (road or mountain, though mainly road). Yes, this means looking ridiculous as I lean over the pump and lift my feet off the ground so all my body weight is on it. You are not alone.

Your pump should be making your life easier by getting a good seal though (you shouldn't hear air escaping). May really be your pump, take it with you to the shop next time and see if they can help you get it to work with yours (rather than their $175 models that, while very very nice, aren't practical for us mere mortals )

Edited for story to make you feel better (or at least not alone):

Two years ago in a bike shop very close to you (Sunnyvale, CA) I was shopping for a mountain bike. A nice young salesman gladly pulled the XXS version out of storage in the back, of course with two flat tires. He then proceeded to try to get a good enough seal to fill the first tire for 10 minutes before finally conceding and sulking off embarrassed to get his manager to help. It then took the manager 5 more minutes to get a seal. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! (and yes, I've done the same thing too, finally threw the darned pump (mini pump) against the wall and broke it for good....good riddance!!)

omg this makes me feel a lot better too.

[inatree]

well, i didn't want to show myself around here again until i figured this thing out...and i kind of sort of did.

i decided to keep riding more often so i wouldn't have to pump as much. this worked out in that i figured out how to briefly pump my tires to a good enough pressure without any drama. then i got a flat. still not sure how i did this since i just changed it and inspected the tire and the tube and couldn't really find any sort of hole or tear that i could see in the area where the puncture is. it's been a long time since my last flat so it took me a while to refresh my memory, and successfully completed the task until....the dreaded tire pumping issues resurfaced. i wasn't apprehensive this time and figured it would go smoothly since i was proud of myself for changing the flat without issue. (after not being able to push a bike pump handle all the way down you will be proud of things like this) i then proceeded to pump the tire up and could not get above 60 psi, which doesn't feel like enough. i have tried and tried and tried and can't get it above 60. i weigh 110 lbs but i think i should have at least 80 in there.

i'm not going anywhere today but maybe if i try tomorrow i will be able to get it to 80. i had to stop because i wore myself out

[cylegoddess]

I totally understand! I dont have anyone to help me either. Im small, and dont weigh much, and also have a illness that makes it almost impossible to do some stuff too.
My pump( joe blow sprint) was 69 aus.I know its alot.I had to get it after having crap pumps, one after another, they broke or leak or dont work.
It took me ( and I had some help) to change the tire, a whole HOUR.
I cant get the tube on the rim!
But bought the pump. Lost air quite a few times and had major embarrassment when I called the shop to say, it wont work!( Turns out I had turned the clip that secures the nozzle, to presta( if thats the one that doesnt have the screw on valve, like cars. I have the screw on valve ones).
Sometimes its almost impossible to get air in those tires, without needing a rest! I do need pushups, if I could only get over shoulder problems!
Im so paranoid about flats, that every time I go thru glass, I stop and pick the bits off the tire( no blow outs yet but one! In a year).
My tires are pumped to 120( 0n a strong day) and they leak air also.
The pump is great though. I have a small one for gas, but had to practice a bit. Its just too hard on road to use small pump( and its a good one with gauge and flip out stand bit and unfolding handle). So I have a inexpensive pump( that fits in backpack) for gas and little pump for flats, in case I screw up the gas(!) and use Joe Blow at home.
I hope it gets easier. I lose air from tires, about every three times.Your not alone, and I feel for you!