Using a bike pump

[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!

[RolliePollie]

Sorry if this is a little gross, but my LBS suggested spitting into the hole in the pump head thingie before putting on your presta valve. They said this makes a better air-tight seal and also keeps the rubber parts inside the pump from wearing out too fast. So I always spit into my pump and it seems to work ok most of the time