Using a bike pump

[GrassyRidge]

It's the Bontrager turbocharge wsd floor pump.

I did ride after breaking the tip off and the tire did fine. I haven't tried pumping it up without the tip yet, but will this weekend. I'm hoping to make it to my LBS this weekend, but it's 45 minutes away, so not a casual trip.

Thanks for the tips ladies, I'm going to try them on my next ride and see how they work for me. I'm starting to avoid my pump since it 'bites' me everytime I use it!

[tulip]

WSD pump?? Is it pink??

As Oakleaf said, the "skinny" valves are called Presta valves.The "fat" valves are called Schraeder valves. She gives very good instructions for pumping up tubes. Use the gauge on the pump to inflate to the correct pressure. I have not had luck pumping up a tube of which I have broken the tip. I figure they are lost causes, but I'm happy to be wrong about that.

When you do go to the bike shop, pick up a few extra tubes. You should carry one with you on rides, and since you live a ways away from the bike shop, it's more convenient to stock up when you are there.

Store your tubes in ziploc bags with baby powder. Here's how: Go outside. Take the tube out of the box. Unfold it. Sprinkle a mess of powder on the tube (doing this in a bucket would be helpful) and smooth the powder all over the tube. Fold the tube back up and put it in a ziploc bag. Do this for all your tubes. Keep at least one in your seatbag, and keep the others with your other bike stuff, wherever that is.

Powdered tubes don't stick when folded and are easier to install should you need to change a flat. They also smell like fresh babies.

[maillotpois]

WSD pump?? Is it pink??

Snort! Exactly what I was wondering!!

[ny biker]

I'm stuck on "they smell like fresh babies." I keep thinking - as opposed to stale ones?

But then I'm kind of punchy right now...

Trying to be useful -- I do the same as Oak in terms of keeping the stem straight, except I put the stem at 6:00 instead of noon.

Also if it continues to be really hard getting the clamp closed/on the stem and open/off the stem, it might help to take the whole shebang to the LBS and ask them to walk you through it a few times, to see if they can help you get the hang of that particular pump.

[Jiffer]

I felt like a bike pumping moron for a long time. I, too, thought it should be a simple enough thing to master, but no ... it wasn't. Luckily I had a husband to help me master it ... eventually. I felt stupid every time I asked him for help. Usually I figured it out, sometimes immediately, sometimes after a few tries, but sometimes I had to ask him for help if he was around, which I hated doing. But alas, I DID master the bike pump!!!

One of the things I used to do wrong was not getting the pump clamp (or whatever it's called!) far enough onto the valve. I guess I was afraid of damaging the tube or something. When I started really "pushing" it on there, pumping started going way easier.

When I pump my tires, which I do before every ride, as your LBS suggested ... I put the valve at the top of the tire, at the 12:00 position, as someone else suggested. I use my left hand to push the pump end onto the valve with my thumb over the tire and the rest of my fingers under the pump. I quickly push it up and lock it. After pumping, I just pull it off quickly, so as not to let too much air out.

Seems like I learned something about hearing the air come out of the tire as you push the pump end onto the valve. Like when you hear the air coming out, you know it's on far enough, so that's when you clamp it ... and the air stops coming out. It's just routine now, whatever it is I do, so it's hard to think it through without doing it. I'll pay attention the next time I do it and see if I can come up with any more specifics for you, especially about the air thing I just mentioned. I know how frustrating it can be to master, so I'll do my best to help you achieve success! Hopefully your LBS guys will be able to help you by showing you. I just know it seemed to take more than dh showing me ... several times even ... before I "figured it out". The way he explains something may not be the way I need to learn it. He may leave out a key point that he assumes I know, and they may do the same.

[GrassyRidge]

LOL, it's not pink, I promise. It was something about being lighter or easier to pump that made it WSD.... I think it was probably a lot of hype, but one way or another I needed a pump!

I do know in the beginning I wasn't pushing it on the stem far enough, there may have been quite a few rides when I didn't actually get air in the tires. I do know now pressure actually registers on the gauge when I get it on. I'm gonna try the 12 o'clock thing, that makes sense to me when I think it through and may help me get in the right place, and get it on straight.

Thanks ladies, you are wonderful!

[MommyBird]

I pump my tires every time I ride too. They can always use at least a pump or two.
I also keep my bike on the wall rack while I pump. Keeps it steady and easier to reach.
It seems like our pump will bite but it never does.
We have a Topeak, JoeBlow Pro right now.
Hubby has worn out many brands over the years. Some he complains about, others he loves and is depressed when he can't get an identical replacement.
I think he will be neutral about this one as it has that blow-back thing I described in my earlier post. But I think it is user-error, not the pump.