Different pump for racing bike?

"Ole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

I've just bought a second hand "Raleigh" racing bike
and was about to pump it with a normal pump which
had worked fine with my old mountain bike.
It turned out that this pump does not work as it
doesn't fit to "entrance" of the tyres.

So is there a special pump for racing bikes?
What's the name of it and how much does it cost?

I know stupid question but I don't know anything
about bikes...

Thanks,
Ole

I'm guessing your mountain bike has schrader valves as do most automobiles
and you racing bike has presta valves. Look at this link to learn more:

http://www.geocities.com/cyqlist/valve.html

Most bike pumps have a head that is adaptable to both types. If you pump
doesn't, you can buy a presta-to-schrader adapter for a couple of bucks.
Here's one example of many available:

http://tinyurl.com/3bc6b5

BobT

Ole said:

Hello,

I've just bought a second hand "Raleigh" racing bike
and was about to pump it with a normal pump which
had worked fine with my old mountain bike.
It turned out that this pump does not work as it
doesn't fit to "entrance" of the tyres.

So is there a special pump for racing bikes?
What's the name of it and how much does it cost?

Sounds like you have a presta valve on the racing bike and a Schraeder
valve on your mountain bikes. You can get an adapter to use your old
pump with your new bike.

See:
http://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#tubes

and

http://tinyurl.com/2o7fo8

Art Harris

"Ole" <[email hidden]> a écrit

Quoted message said:

I've just bought a second hand "Raleigh" racing bike
and was about to pump it with a normal pump which
had worked fine with my old mountain bike.
It turned out that this pump does not work as it
doesn't fit to "entrance" of the tyres.

Quoted message said:

So is there a special pump for racing bikes?
What's the name of it and how much does it cost?

There are two common valve types - Schrader (Autoventil) and Presta
(Sclaverand or "französische Ventil"😉. Mountain bikes can have either. Road
(racing) bikes almost always use Presta.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_p.html#presta

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/presta-schrader.html

Adapters are available cheaply (a couple of euros) to fit most pumps. Some
pumps have reversible parts inside the head to allow them to be used with
either type of valve. The simplest solution is to show your pump to your
local bike shop: they should be able to sell you an adapter or show you how
to convert your pump.

If your pump is designed for mountain bike use, it may have trouble reaching
the higher pressures required by a road bike tyre.

James Thomson

Ole said:

Hello,

I've just bought a second hand "Raleigh" racing bike
and was about to pump it with a normal pump which
had worked fine with my old mountain bike.
It turned out that this pump does not work as it
doesn't fit to "entrance" of the tyres.

So is there a special pump for racing bikes?
What's the name of it and how much does it cost?

I know stupid question but I don't know anything
about bikes...

Most modern pumps have reversible head seals so they can fit both the
classic smaller Presta valve on your new bike and the larger
spring-loaded Schrader valves on your less expensive bike.

Try removing the cover of your pump head. The rubber seal should be
large inner diameter on one side and smaller inner diameter on the other
end. Flip it. Some pump models will also require that you flip the part
under the rubber seal. See if a pin protrudes into the back of the
rubber seal. If so, flip that part too. Replace the cover and pump!

The newest designs accommodate both valve styles without any
machinations, having a stepped diameter rubber seal and spring loaded pin.

For use with compressed air or older pumps, a small adapter (usually $1,
any competent LBS) screws over your small valve so the larger connection
will seal.

For very old hose-in-handle pumps, a hose with the other valve thread is
about $5.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Thanks a lot to all posters! It's much appreciated.