need flat tire advise

Can't say that I have. I assume you have a Schraeder type valve stem since you were able to use one at a gas station. Are you sure your pump isn't made for Presta type valves? IF you happen to have Presta valves, which are common on road bike tubes, you have to unscrew the valve before it will accept air. On the surface this doesn't sound like your problem however.

John

bottlerocket said:

[font=Times New Roman]Just wanted to get some advice on fixing flats. Had my first one yesterday and was able to fix it but not very conveniently. I got the tire off the rim, patched, and back on OK, but I couldn’t get the pump to work very well. Actually, I tried two pumps, the one that came with the bike and one I already had. Couldn’t get either of them to work. I think the thing in the pump that presses down on the pin in the valve stem to let air in was never actually able to reach the pin and open the valve so air could go in. So, each time I tried to fill it I inadvertently ended up pressing the pump down so hard down on the stem that it always got stuck. I’m sure I didn’t do the tires any favor each time I had to torque the stem so hard to get pump off either. Would you think this would cause much tire damage?. Ultimately, I ended up having to go to the closest gas station where I filled it up with their compressor. By the time I got back and put the tire on again, most of the afternoon was shot and I was pretty ticked. I don’t think I was using the wrong size pump for the valve so was curious to know if anybody else has ever have troubles with pumps like this. What did you do to avoid it happening again? Thanks in advance for all replies. [/font]

Mansmind said:

IF you happen to have Presta valves, which are common on road bike tubes, you have to unscrew the valve before it will accept air. On the surface this doesn't sound like your problem however.

John

Thanks John. No they're the Schraeder type. I don't know. They fit over the stems just fine but just never seemed to open up the valve.

bottlerocket said:

Thanks John. No they're the Schraeder type. I don't know. They fit over the stems just fine but just never seemed to open up the valve.

I do know that valves can sometimes "stick". The gas station pump, generally being of much heavier duty, could have just made it easier to "unstick" the valve. Have you since tried your pumps with the valves, do they now actuate like they should, or does it still not work correctly?

Mansmind said:

I do know that valves can sometimes "stick". The gas station pump, generally being of much heavier duty, could have just made it easier to "unstick" the valve. Have you since tried your pumps with the valves, do they now actuate like they should, or does it still not work correctly?

Thx. John. No, it was just me and I got it figured out now. Just got back from the bike shop and a tech there showed me where I was going wrong.

bottlerocket

you did not say what kind of bike or what type riding, whether road or offroad, or if your ride for pleasure or commute to work.

I solved the flat tire problem with airless polyurethane microfoam tires from KIK Tire Inc. No flats since Oct 2001 though I sometimes cannot avoid broken bottles and other trash on the shoulder of the road..

see Airfree Tires in Bloody Soapbox for complete explanation

PS others told you that airless tires are [censored], too heavy, ride like a box of rocks and will break your rims ?? I heard that too. It aint true. One honest fellow who owns a bike shop told me that he likes them personally, but would never sell them as he makes money selling lots of tires and tubes and fixing flats.