Quote Originally Posted by zia View Post
I have presta valves. I am inflation impaired.

So I set up my floor pump, attach it to the presta valve, flip to the "up" (valve perpendicular to hose tube) position. Lots of hissing. Pump furiously to get more air into the tire than is comes out. Repeat on other wheel.

Argh!
I have a new bike with presta valves and I'm having the same problem. At the bike shop they showed me how to use the pump. I had them to watch me and I did it fine at the shop. Since I brought it home I'm having the same problem you are. I've called the bike shop guy on the phone and talked to him about it. (My bike shop is about an hour's drive away so I can't just run over there any time.) I'm doing everything he's telling me but apparently I'm not doing something right. I plan to go back to the shop in a few days, have them show me again, then have them watch me do it several times until I'm sure I have the feel for it.

Very frustrating!