Tire Inflation Issue

[Tiffanie]

I haven't been, but since reading these forums, I know I should. Which is why I went out and bought a tire pressure gauge. Kirk & I finally figured how to inflate the tire--you were right, I didn;t have the valve pushed in enough, but we still can't get the pressure gauge to work, so I still don't know if I have enough air in the tires.

I had the EXACT same issue two nights ago. I have a floor pump with built-in pressure gauge. Ended up figuring out how to inflate but I couldn't get the gauge to work properly!

I ended up taking the advice of of a site I found through google: Flick the tire - when it's close to being properly inflated, it should sound like a "ping" and not a "thump".

Don't know if that will cause any problems with overinflation, but my ride went fine the next morning. I need to practice on getting the gauge to work!

[Tiffanie]

Ok toss the ping/thump theory out the window! I finally picked up a pump that worked and omigosh - my tires should be inflated to 100psi. The front was at 60 and the rear at 40!

[MomOnBike]

OK, I was going to make a crack about thumping watermelons, but I guess I'll pass.

More seriously, and in the same hard-to-explain vein, when my tires are inflated correctly they "click" going over sidewalk-type cracks. If they "thump" I need to pump them up.

[Geonz]

"If you thump, time to pump!"

I rely on the guage, myself, and try to remember to pump 'em up every time.

[pikato]

I got a pump with gauge on it & it is a breeze to use. Now I only need to figure how to hook up my computer & I should be set!!

[bcipam]

Presta valves - not all that hard..

Take of cap, unscrew release bolt, press down valve - hear "ssssss" you are good to go, secure pump nozzle and pump. If you don't hear "ssss" keep unloosening the bolt.

If you don't know what the release bolt is - picture this - there is a male part to the valve and a female part . The male part attaches to the pump. The female part is a small round washer at the base of the male part. You have to lossen that otherwise no air in. Now remember to tighten it when you are finish or air goes out.

If you can't get it figured out, go to the LBS and ask them to show you. Don't be embarrassed. Trust me, people have brought in worse questions.

[Bad JuJu]

Here's something you may have happen: sticky valves. Maybe it's the Florida heat or the Florida humidity, or maybe it's just the brand of tubes I've been getting lately, but my valves have tended to be sticky this summer. That is, I unscrew the valve, press down to be sure I've got it fully open, then attach the pump head, and...the tire doesn't fill with air. In fact, the air that I'm pumping must stay only in the pump hose, because I see the gauge being pegged to the right.

In these cases, usually I can flip the lever on the pumphead a couple of times and the stubborn valve will then open. I mention this because it may be happening to you or someone else. Weird, but manageable.