I need help with presta valves please!

Paul Turner said:

I've got a bike problem. I've bought a bike with presta valve tubes.
I am used to schrader valves. I went out and bought a large hand
(detonator type) pump, and the shop also gave me this little metal
adaptor, which I can screw into a Schrader valve pump, and should then
work on my presta tubes.

It's really not that easy. Firsly, when I am using my new pump, I find
it really hard to get an initial reading before I start pumping. And
when I am done, I have REAL trouble pulling the end of the pump off the
valve. I've made sure I take it off lock-mode, but I have to pull
really hard for the thing to come off, which it does in the end, but
lets out LOADS of air (and I often hurt my hand after it hitting to
spokes!).

Can anyone tell me what the problem is here?! and if there are any
really good pumps for the presta valve? I am so used to the Schrader
valve, it was much easier!

Thanks,

Paul

Take the pump back and get one with a presta connection or one with
both. It is isn't that hard to get the air chuck off of a presta valve
without the adapter.

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Paul Turner said:

I've got a bike problem. I've bought a bike with presta valve tubes.
I am used to schrader valves. I went out and bought a large hand
(detonator type) pump, and the shop also gave me this little metal
adaptor, which I can screw into a Schrader valve pump, and should then
work on my presta tubes.

It's really not that easy. Firsly, when I am using my new pump, I find
it really hard to get an initial reading before I start pumping. And
when I am done, I have REAL trouble pulling the end of the pump off the
valve. I've made sure I take it off lock-mode, but I have to pull
really hard for the thing to come off, which it does in the end, but
lets out LOADS of air (and I often hurt my hand after it hitting to
spokes!).

Can anyone tell me what the problem is here?! and if there are any
really good pumps for the presta valve? I am so used to the Schrader
valve, it was much easier!

First, Prestas really are easier to pump, with a proper pump. I carry
an adaptor, but I really prefer using a Presta pump, and every pump
I've bought in the last ten years does both. (Detonator type? Little
red box with a plunger handle and two wire terminals? Acme brand?)

Pressure reading on a lot of pumps are the pressure *in the pump*, not
in the tire, so yes, you're going to have problems getting an initial
reading. Give it a stroke or two on the pump and you should see what's
in the tire. And the air coming out aferwards is the pressurized air
from the pump, hose, etc, not from the tire.

Are you sure you have the locked/unlocked modes right? Some old pumps
were the opposite of modern pumps - lever UP is now LOCKED, down is
released.

My favorite on-bike pump is the gauge-less Road Morph. My favorite
at-home pump is the big-dial Betto. My rims are drilled for Shraeder
just in case I'm in the middle of nowhere and need a tube, but I always
buy Presta tubes when I can.

Paul Turner said:

I've got a bike problem. I've bought a bike with presta valve tubes.
I am used to schrader valves. I went out and bought a large hand
(detonator type) pump, and the shop also gave me this little metal
adaptor, which I can screw into a Schrader valve pump, and should then
work on my presta tubes.

It's really not that easy. Firsly, when I am using my new pump, I find
it really hard to get an initial reading before I start pumping. And
when I am done, I have REAL trouble pulling the end of the pump off the
valve. I've made sure I take it off lock-mode, but I have to pull
really hard for the thing to come off, which it does in the end, but
lets out LOADS of air (and I often hurt my hand after it hitting to
spokes!).

Can anyone tell me what the problem is here?! and if there are any
really good pumps for the presta valve? I am so used to the Schrader
valve, it was much easier!

What's "a large hand (detonator type) pump"? Is there any chance that
the pump is adaptable i.e. can switch between Shrader and Presta. Both
my mini pumps and my floor pump are adaptable. Is it possible that
the shop sold you a pump that _is_ Presta and threw in the adaptor in
case you wanted to use a gas station pump?

If not of the above is reasonable, take the pump back and get one that
will handle Presta or both P & S.

John Kane
Kingston ON

When I first started using them, I noticed it was hard to get the pump off
too. Try not putting it on as far and use a twisting motion to take it off.
Also, make sure you are unscrewing the valve enough (makes it easier to
pump) , but not too much (valve can bend easy).

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

Quoted message said:

I've got a bike problem. I've bought a bike with presta valve tubes.
I am used to schrader valves. I went out and bought a large hand
(detonator type) pump, and the shop also gave me this little metal
adaptor, which I can screw into a Schrader valve pump, and should then
work on my presta tubes.

It's really not that easy. Firsly, when I am using my new pump, I find
it really hard to get an initial reading before I start pumping. And
when I am done, I have REAL trouble pulling the end of the pump off the
valve. I've made sure I take it off lock-mode, but I have to pull
really hard for the thing to come off, which it does in the end, but
lets out LOADS of air (and I often hurt my hand after it hitting to
spokes!).

Can anyone tell me what the problem is here?! and if there are any
really good pumps for the presta valve? I am so used to the Schrader
valve, it was much easier!

Thanks,

Paul

Unscrew the locknut all the way and tap the stem on the Presta valve to
break the seal. You should hear a small rush of air coming out of the valve
when you do this, then it will be easier to pump air in.

Only put the pump chuck/adapter far enough onto the valve to get a good
seal. You may have to experiment a little.

When you take the pump/chuck/adapter off the valve, wrap your hands around
the tire and push down on the chuck with both thumbs to get the chuck off
(might be tricky w/ big fat tires and small hands).

Any floor pump with a hose will give you a blast of air when you pull the
chuck off. This is because the hose is filled with air at the same pressure
that you inflated the tire to. The longer/wider the hose, the more air blast
you hear. How big an air blast are you getting, how long does it last
(should be a fraction of a second).

A floor pump with a chuck intended for Presta valves will probably work
better than a Schrader chuck + adapter setup. I like the Silca Super Pista.
Big steel barrel, big comfy wooden handle, easy to read gauge, good bike
shops and mail order houses can sell you just about any replacement part
that you manage to break or wear out. I bought mine last spring after using
a Silca Pista (earlier, smaller model) for 17 years. the older pump is now
at my parent's house with an old road bike that I keep there so I have
something to ride when I visit. High end bike shops sell these, or here's a
mail order source: www.coloradocyclist.com .

HTH,
--
mark

Paul Turner said:

I've got a bike problem. I've bought a bike with presta valve tubes.
I am used to schrader valves. I went out and bought a large hand
(detonator type) pump, and the shop also gave me this little metal
adaptor, which I can screw into a Schrader valve pump, and should then
work on my presta tubes.

It's really not that easy. Firsly, when I am using my new pump, I find
it really hard to get an initial reading before I start pumping. And
when I am done, I have REAL trouble pulling the end of the pump off the
valve. I've made sure I take it off lock-mode, but I have to pull
really hard for the thing to come off, which it does in the end, but
lets out LOADS of air (and I often hurt my hand after it hitting to
spokes!).

Can anyone tell me what the problem is here?! and if there are any
really good pumps for the presta valve? I am so used to the Schrader
valve, it was much easier!

Looks like we have two Paul Turners posting here now. Most of the floor
pumps I've seen lately fit both kinds of valve, so you may want to see if
you can still exchange the one you bought for one that is made to work
with presta.

--
Paul Turner

On 4 Jul 2005 06:34:47 -0700, "Paul Turner" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Can anyone tell me what the problem is here?! and if there are any
really good pumps for the presta valve? I am so used to the Schrader
valve, it was much easier!

Thanks,

Paul

Hi, if you are concerned about actual acurate pressure, get a good
separate gauge. I really like the Topeak Smarthead Digital Gauge.
Here, take a look:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=30373072&memberId=12500226

Campmor has the best price on these, that I have seen. I bought 4 of
them, last Christmas, to give as gifts. I have had mine for 2-3 years,
works great. If you put it on, evenly, not cocked to one side, it can
be checked with minimal air loss. Much less loss and better accuracy,
than the stick type pressure gauges.

I would return the pump, or at least take it back and have them
demonstrate proper use. If you can't get it to work, comfortably after
that, at the store, return it.

I use a Topeak Joe Blow Sport, which came with a two sided head. This
works fine, but the o-ring does go bad after a while. I replaced the
pump head with Topeak's smarthead, which works real well. The air
release you hear is from the pump it self. Topeak makes a higher end
model with the smarthead included. Take a look:

Joe Blow Sport -
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39158834&memberId=12500226
Joe Blow Pro w/Smarthead -
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=13605&memberId=12500226

I don't work for Topeak, I just like their pumps.The two sided head,
is actually, easier to use, less chance of banging hand, although, I
don't have that proiblem with either one.
There are many other good brands of pump out there.

Life is Good!
Jeff

Paul Turner said:

when I am using my new pump, I find
it really hard to get an initial reading before I start pumping. And
when I am done, I have REAL trouble pulling the end of the pump off the
valve.

1- You won't get any pressure reading on a presta valve until you start
to pump. That's normal and really no big deal.
2- It sounds as if the collet on the pumphead is too tight. Try
loosening it a bit.

Regards,
Bob Hunt

I bought a Campbell & Hausmann mini-compressor a few years ago at Home
Depot for $40. I keep it charging, put it in the car when I go riding,
and blow the tires up when I get to the starting point. You can also
plug it into your car's cigarette lighter.

Open the little screw top on the Presta valve, push the pin until you
hear a little air rush out, screw on the adapter, attach the pump head,
and inflate to the proper pressure. I too used to hate Prestas until I
finally learned how to do them.

I bought a Campbell & Hausmann mini-compressor a few years ago at Home
Depot for $40. I keep it charging, put it in the car when I go riding,
and blow the tires up when I get to the starting point. You can also
plug it into your car's cigarette lighter.

Open the little screw top on the Presta valve, push the pin until you
hear a little air rush out, screw on the adapter, attach the pump head,
and inflate to the proper pressure. I too used to hate Prestas until I
finally learned how to do them.

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

Quoted message said:

My rims are drilled for Shraeder
just in case I'm in the middle of nowhere and need a tube, but I always
buy Presta tubes when I can.

Does anyone know where to get the little aluminum grommet adaptors that
allow a Presta tube to be used easily in a rim drilled for Schraeder?

Thanks in advance.

chris said:

When I first started using them, I noticed it was hard to get the pump off
too. Try not putting it on as far and use a twisting motion to take it off.

NO! That is exactly the opposite of what should done. The pump should
be taken off without any twisting. On most floor pumps you can just
grab the nozzle and PULL it straight off. On most frame pumps you can
simply hit the pump with the side of your hand in a direct line with
the valve. If you twist the pump off you will either break the valve or
tear the tube material near the valve.

Dr. Long Duck Dong said:

Does anyone know where to get the little aluminum grommet adaptors that
allow a Presta tube to be used easily in a rim drilled for Schraeder?

Nashbar has the aluminum ones; I don't remember what I had to search
for to find them. Loose Screws a few years ago had some rubber
grommets -- if I could remember where I had put them, I wouldn't have
had to order some more from Nashbar when I needed them.

Pat

Email address works as is.

Ahh! Makes sense, sorry for the wrong info. I guess that could be why I keep
getting slow leaks!

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

Quoted message said:

chris said:

When I first started using them, I noticed it was hard to get the pump

off

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

too. Try not putting it on as far and use a twisting motion to take it

off.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

NO! That is exactly the opposite of what should done. The pump should
be taken off without any twisting. On most floor pumps you can just
grab the nozzle and PULL it straight off. On most frame pumps you can
simply hit the pump with the side of your hand in a direct line with
the valve. If you twist the pump off you will either break the valve or
tear the tube material near the valve.

mark said:

Unscrew the locknut all the way and tap the stem on the Presta valve to
break the seal. You should hear a small rush of air coming out of the valve
when you do this, then it will be easier to pump air in.

I find that the valves form a sticky seal, and if I don't press them to
release some air, I simply can't pump air in.

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