Air should not escape from the valve as you pump. The stem of the presta valve should go quite far into the chuck of the pump, I would say around 3/4 of an inch. Also, there is some resistance from the valve; I like to tap the end of the valve after unscrewing it to break the seal (a small puff of air will escape) before putting on the chuck. Usually the gauge will read the pressure after putting on the chuck, but not always, and I have to pump till pressure opens the valve and then I can get a reading and get it pumped up.
Yea it takes a bit to get used to presta, but once you do, you will never go back to schrader valves. It is so much more elegant and doesn't leak air like schrader can.
Tzvia- rollin' slow...
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