Floor pump for Presta valves?
 

Presta valves are garbage. Utter crap. I'm never getting anywhere near one again. And then I'm never locking my bike to a public rack, to prevent it from catching Presta valves from the bikes around it.


That said, my new touring bike has Presta valves. (Because I was innocent.) Which means, among other things, that I suddenly need a new floor pump.


So, can anybody suggest a floor pump that actually works on this European crap? By that I mean, it seals quickly, easily, and completely to the valve, without my having to sweat and grunt and force for fifteen minutes; doesn't snap off that darling little valve stem; pumps air into the tire; pumps more air into the tire than it lets out of the tire; and finally, releases from the valve quickly and easily, requiring less effort than it takes to bang the back of my hand so hard against the spokes that I can't close my fingers for a week.


Because my current pump, which pumps American valves without drama, can't do any of those things.


Related question: could there be, somewhere on the planet, a pump with a Presta valve head that actually screws on to the stem, using threads such as screws (and Presta stems) have, rather than jamming and cramming and forcing and pounding? Because such futuristic technology would probably solve most of the above problems.


Finally: it would be great if the theoretical pump cost less than a new set of wheels. If you get my drift.

A pump for American valves?

Sounds like you need some sort of Trump Pump.

Virtually any floor pump you buy at an actual bike store will fit both presta and schrader valves. I think mine was about $35. Or just buy an adapter for around $.99 . They are probably sitting in a jar on the counter. Presta may not be perfect, but it's not 1/100th as annoying as you seem to think and it works just fine.

You can buy the same sized tubes with the schrader valves.

But you may have to drill the valve hole to suit the fatter Schrader valve.

Whilst this is true you'd probably have to drill out the valve hole in the rim somewhat to get the valve through.

If you think Presta valves are bad you've obviously never encountered the Dunlop valves I had on my early bikes. I'd also like to point out that the Schrader valve was invented by a German.

Anyway, to answer your original question, I have a Topeak Joe Blow Sport III pump which is very good. As for the price, if you can get a set of wheels for as little as the £25 I paid for it then they're probably made of cheese.

My floor pump from Nashbar is still pumping up presta tubes and is 30+ years old. Lots of cheap floor pumps around. I was surprised to see a selection at Wall Mart.
Just a thought-- Try unscrewing the knurled tip on the valve before adding air.

Don't forget to "burp" the valve before trying to fill it. If unfamiliar with how to get air into a presta valve, youtube may help. Also, you can buy presta valve adapters so your schrader valve pump head will work--and they are very inexpensive: https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=presta%20valve%20a

I had the same problem about ten years ago. So, I bought one of these. It's a really good pump. I've had to replace the rubber o ring once about four years ago. Other than that It's the best pump I've ever owned. (Remember good tools aren't cheap & cheap tools aren't good). If you're serious about the sport buy the tools you need to enjoy it.

https://www.amazon.com/LEZYNE-Steel-...=fsclp_pl_dp_7

I use Topeak Joe Blow Sport pump. It pumps both types of valves . i have not had any problems with Presta valves. The only Schrader valve bike I have is my wife's e bike. The Topeak is easy to use with either. I have had mine(I own 2 of them) for a few years and I use them often, no trouble out of them.

To the OP I hear your frustration and your humour. A little practice and some advice might help.

Some suggestions. If it is a rubber friction fit, then spit in the end to ease up the friction putting it on and taking it off. I have two 30 year old Silca's that need this technique.

Second, don't open or unscrew the valve all the way out where it is prone to bending. A few turns is enough to let the air out and in.

Third, buy a GOOD pump. I know you hinted an inexpensive pump but you want one that has a good head.

Besides the two Silcas, I have two Joe Blows that work well. The Joe Blow Sport works on every kind of valve and it is easy to use. They are inexpensive. The last pump is a Lezene CNC Floor pump with their latest head. If you go that route make sure it is the latest, the last version was everything you talked about in your post. They should have been arrested releasing that head. The new head of this pump doesn't use friction but actually screws on the the threaded top portion of the valve (the core portion). The best pump I tried was a Specialized that I used at a bike shop. It was the easiest to get on and off and needed few pump stokes to get the tire up to pressure.

Again as others have suggested you could always drill out your rims. Easily done and you get keep the floor pump you already own.

Good luck.

+1 on the Silca floor pump with a presta head. I've had mine for 30+ years and it still does a solid job in getting my tubulars rock hard in about 10 pumps. As freeranger says, let out some air from your tire before putting on the pump head.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d7e290ec83.jpg
30+ year old Silca floor pump made from Columbus tubing

Get a Kuwahara Hirame pump head. They have adjustable tightness, the long arm provides a lot of leverage, and they're a pleasure to use.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=447861
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=447862

The Lezyne chuck screws on, then unscrews removable Presta valve cores if they're not tight.

Kuwahara pump heads are expensive but cost less than wheels provided you're not spending $25 each on amazon.com.

For approx 20 years and more my bikes and trikes have had presta valves. I have had zero problems with them. I have had a Bontager pump for all those years, and it too has been flawless.
Of course it is starting to get down to nit picking, but a rim with a smaller presta hole for the tube will be a stronger rim.

Had them on my bike and not a fan either. Purchased two tubes with schrader valves, drilled out my rims and no more problems. Happy boy.

I use a Harbor Freight floor pump. Almost all plastic except for the pump shaft and the end pieces $10.99. When filling a fat tire last week, about the 400th stroke, I thought the plunger in the pump was going to melt, but it lasted.It comes with a Presta adapter that doesn't work. I use a 99 cent one I bought when Performance Bike was still in business.

How does your bike catch valves from neighboring bikes?
If you have a pump that can't handle presta valves, just go to a shop and buy one...it'll be $30-70 and will work just fine with both Schrader and presta.

If it takes 15min to pump tires, YouTube how to do it because you are failing big time.

A very minor part of a hobby shouldn't make you so frustrated.

I use a Specialized floor pump. The filler head accommodates Schader and Presta valves automatically. I use it for bike, the motorcycle, and the cars. I have had it for eight years and it is still going strong.

Global pandemic? Check.
Most of the world sheltering in place? Mostly checked.
Toilet paper very hard to find? Check!
Gasoline cheap currently? Check.
Presta valves hard to operate? Uh, nope.
Operator error? (Your response here.)

35 or so years ago I spent a little extra to get a Silca Super Pista - other than replacing the donut gasket in the head a couple times (the latest ones which are red rubber are great) and cleaning/regreasing the leather piston last year, it works perfectly with Presta valves - no bending or breaking.

Hahahahahahahahahhaa

I’d be willing to bet that your pump is compatible with Presta valves and you just don’t know it. I’ve never run-across one that wasn’t.

Cheap Zefal floor pump from Walmart I've used for several years works pretty well on both presta and Schrader. Well - I don't trust the gauge but I have an Accu-gage for that for Presta. And a generic schrader gauge.

I've never heard any complaints such as yours. I suggest you get together with someone who uses presta and see how that person does it. all the pumps I've ever seen fit both kinds of valves.