Tire inflation?

[Bella]

I also have a dual Schraeder/Presta pump and succeeded in deflating one perfectly good tire. It was nothing but a struggle to re-inflate. I haven't found the magic formula yet - but I dare say I don't feel like experimenting.

[Dianyla]

I've also got the (notso)Smarthead pump that senses schrader vs. presta head. I found that if I don't push the presta valve in far enough it tends to just leak air out as I pump, eventually deflating the tire. I think those pumps work by assuming that a schrader valvestem will only go in about 1/4" inch and a presta will go in more like 3/8" or even more like 1/2".

[Melody]

If any of you are really hating the head on your pump, I really recommend one of these:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...RY.ID=47&MODE=

It's a replacement head for a Silca pump (dual schrader/presta) and should fit any standard hose on a floor pump. To access the shrader portion, just unscrew the presta head.

My husband and I have had numerous problems with breaking valve stems, leaking heads, etc. etc. That all went away when we converted our pump to this head. There's also no lever to pull. To use, just slip the head on the stem and start pumping up the tire.

Mel

[Trek1500]

Maybe a little off topic, but does anyone use a CO2 inflator? I have one, but haven't used it because I'm not sure how it works. Do you just release a little of the CO2?

[DebW]

I've had the opposite problem with a few presta valves that got so sticky that I couldn't get air into the tire. I'd have to let some air out by hand just to free up the valve. And I agree with Geonz that if often matters where the valve is - the chuck needs to be straight with the valve, so try moving the valve or the pump around until it is. It may also be useful to unscrew the pump head, remove the rubber gasket, and oil it.

[Bella]

Maybe a little off topic, but does anyone use a CO2 inflator? I have one, but haven't used it because I'm not sure how it works. Do you just release a little of the CO2?

I used it at home as practice and of course carry them with in case I flat out on the road. The ones with the shut off valve are great because you don't have to use the entire canister.

Because CO2 is cold, your tires will deflate by next day - don't be alarmed. Just refill by traditional pump.

[maillotpois]

Because CO2 is cold, your tires will deflate by next day - don't be alarmed. Just refill by traditional pump.

I've never had a Co2-filled tire deflate any faster than a regular pump filled one. And CO2 is all I use on the road. Maybe you didn't get whatever it was that cased the flat fixed?

Reminds me of the Sheldon Brown/Carapace posting:

redmist wrote:
>
> As far as weight and efficiency go these seem to be the way to go vs. frame
> or mini pumps. Any drawbacks?

CO2 is heavier than air, you will make your bike heavy and slow if you
use it. Helium is lighter, the only way to go if you want speed and
safety.

If you are willing to live dangerously, Hydrogen is lighter and cheaper
than Helium, but don't smoke while riding your bike if you use
Hydrogen...

Carapace Completed Umber
Lakehurst, New Jersey

[Veronica]

Because CO2 is cold, your tires will deflate by next day - don't be alarmed. Just refill by traditional pump.

Have you actually had your tires deflate the next day after inflating them with CO2? Or is this something you heard from someone else?

I ask because that's never happened to me. I've had 3 or 4 flats and used CO2 cartridges to inflate. I actually went back to using a pump when I had a rash of flats a year or so ago. I didn't like adding to the landfill and when I got a flat both front and rear at the same time (lots of glass on multi-use path in a not good part of town) it seemed prudent to not rely on my limited number of cartridges.

Anyhow... I suspect there must have been some other reason they deflated.

V.

PS After the double flat, we found a new way to get to the transit center.

[mtbdarby]

V - I just bought my first co2 stuff and the guy at lbs said the same thing - your tire will deflate the next day with co2. Maybe you've just been lucky or temp also plays a part???