Using a bike pump

[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.

[Jiffer]

We have two Specialized pumps. Whatever their good one is. The first one eventually had some kind of a problem, so dh got a new one, but then found out the first one only needed a part changed on it, which they sent him for free I believe. It's nice to have two. He can take a pump with him to an event and I have the other at home, or to my event. But funny you mention pink ... one of the pumps does seem to work better, at least for me ... so I designated it as MINE and made it clear that it was MINE by putting pink happy face stickers all over it. Hee hee!!!

[Jiffer]

Okay, so I pumped my tires today and paid attention to what I did. The main thing being that, yes, I hear air start to come out of the tire before I close the clamp. It's a super quick thing. You push the pump thing up without being wimpy about it, you briefly hear a bit of air come out and you clamp it shut. That was the key thing that I didn't get for so long. I thought there was something wrong if air came out. Don't want to let all the air out! But it's the opposite. That's how you know the pump thing is as far as it needs to be to get air INTO the tire.

Hope that helps.

[GrassyRidge]

Well, I tried to go on a ride with my son yesterday, at least with my tires you can't pump up tubes with the tip of the stem broken off. My pump pushed the last little bit in and when I took the pump off it went "POP! Shhhhhhh" as the tire totally deflated!

Hopefully when I get to the bike shop they will have time to show me how to change a tube. I've got a list, extra tubes, bar ends, a helmet that actually fits me, and getting the floppy pieces taken off my pedals. Can't wait!