I'm ********: How do I put air in my tires?
#1
Dr. Gonzo
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NJ where the weak are killed and eaten.
Posts: 24
Bikes: 2007 Motorbecane Vent Noir
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm ********: How do I put air in my tires?
I just got my bike last night and got it all put together but then I realized I've never seen a valve stem like this before.
The LBS guy sold me this:
https://www.topeak.com/2007/products/.../harpoondx.php
I can't seem to get air into the tires though... I know I'm ******** but help me out.
The LBS guy sold me this:
https://www.topeak.com/2007/products/.../harpoondx.php
I can't seem to get air into the tires though... I know I'm ******** but help me out.
#2
♋ ☮♂ ☭ ☯
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: 40205 'ViLLeBiLLie
Posts: 7,902
Bikes: Sngl Spd's, 70's- 80's vintage, D-tube Folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Not ******** at all.....I think everyone has trouble with
Prestas on their first try.
First , make sure you have the Presta adapter / side of the
pump out.
Unscrew the little thumb screw....Next PUSH the screw IN,
releasing about 5lbs of air....This is important !!! Lastly....
I think(?) on that pump you press the head on the valve
and pull the lever up to lock it on. I could be wrong but
you'll be able to figure that part out. When its attached...
pump away !!! Screw thumbscrew back in.
If you dont release a few lbs of air, or break the seal of the
valve, it wont accept air no matter how hard you pump.
Enjoy your new bike !!!
Prestas on their first try.
First , make sure you have the Presta adapter / side of the
pump out.
Unscrew the little thumb screw....Next PUSH the screw IN,
releasing about 5lbs of air....This is important !!! Lastly....
I think(?) on that pump you press the head on the valve
and pull the lever up to lock it on. I could be wrong but
you'll be able to figure that part out. When its attached...
pump away !!! Screw thumbscrew back in.
If you dont release a few lbs of air, or break the seal of the
valve, it wont accept air no matter how hard you pump.
Enjoy your new bike !!!
Last edited by -=(8)=-; 05-23-07 at 06:17 PM.
#3
Keep on climbing
Those are called presta valves -- they're common with high-pressure bike tires. Unscrew the little nut at the top of the valve and give it a little tap to let some air out of the tire. Connect your pump, pump away, pull the pump chuck off. Screw the little nut back down. That's it!
#4
Dr. Gonzo
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NJ where the weak are killed and eaten.
Posts: 24
Bikes: 2007 Motorbecane Vent Noir
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nevermind I figured it out.
I'm just exhausted from work today.
I didn't realize I had to unscrew the little nut thing, thanks for the advice.
I'm just exhausted from work today.
I didn't realize I had to unscrew the little nut thing, thanks for the advice.
#6
Grumpy Old Bugga
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
If that's the biggest problem you have with your new bike, you'll be right. Enjoy the ride
Richard
Richard
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 9,438
Bikes: Trek 5500, Colnago C-50
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
First thing you need is a good floor pump with a built-in gauge and a chuck for presta valves (standard). Pump your tires up before each ride to approximately the maximum pressure as shown on the sidewall of the tires. This is the first step to trouble free riding. That little hand pump is just for emergencies on the road.
Al
Al
#8
Sir Fallalot
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,286
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
11 Posts
Originally Posted by Al1943
Pump your tires up before each ride to approximately the maximum pressure as shown on the sidewall of the tires. This is the first step to trouble free riding.
Last edited by wroomwroomoops; 05-23-07 at 08:47 PM.
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
Originally Posted by wroomwroomoops
At any rate, I had 2 "outdoor" flats in my entire life.
I always put 10 over the limit before a ride, and I've never, ever had an "indoor" flat. Ever!
#10
Sir Fallalot
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,286
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
11 Posts
Originally Posted by Dr.Deltron
Sounds like you need to ride "outdoors" more.
Originally Posted by Dr.Deltron
I've never, ever had an "indoor" flat. Ever!
Look, I didn't say the advice was wrong, I said >I< don't follow it. It doesn't apply to >me<, probably because I am such a light person.
No need to get all protective about your 10%-above-upper-nominal-pressure pumping practices. If it works for you, great. I can get away with much less pressure, and my body says thanks.
#11
Dr. Gonzo
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NJ where the weak are killed and eaten.
Posts: 24
Bikes: 2007 Motorbecane Vent Noir
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well for now the hand pump will do. The LBS wanted $70 for a floor pump and it didn't even have a guage.
I got the hand pump fo $30 and figured that would get me started and I'm gunna order a decent floor pomp online tomorrow.
I got the hand pump fo $30 and figured that would get me started and I'm gunna order a decent floor pomp online tomorrow.
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
Originally Posted by wroomwroomoops
. So, I think I do plenty of riding outdoors. And none indoors, just for clarification
But to further clarify, what did you mean by an "outdoor" flat?
I've not heard that term before.
#13
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,406
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1011 Post(s)
Liked 1,235 Times
in
707 Posts
Originally Posted by wroomwroomoops
I totally don't follow this advice, at all. I pump my tires only when necessary (or when I think it's necessary, i.e. when noticeably deflated (but then, I notice the deflation very easily, as I have a strong grip)), and in fact, I never ever pump them to the maximum pressure. More in the middle-to low range. Maybe because I am light, and like a cushy ride. At any rate, I had 2 "outdoor" flats in my entire life. So, I guess, that advice doesn't necessarily apply to everybody. Oh yeah, never a snakebite, ever.
That being said, I still use the thumb test for weekday rides and pump them up fresh every Saturday morning.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#14
I ain't no newbie
Join Date: May 2007
Location: The Goddard Institute - Area 51-Skunk Works Division - Space Age Materials Lab
Posts: 1,189
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 275 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by wroomwroomoops
I was, in fact, the only one in the entire building (I know from the state of the bikes parked in the inside parking place), who has cycled through the whole winter, out-crazying even all my finnish colleagues.
#15
Sir Fallalot
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,286
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
11 Posts
Originally Posted by Dr.Deltron
Sorry, just joshin' ya there. Actually, ... I'm jealous! I've probably ridden all of 40 miles in the last 6 months!
But to further clarify, what did you mean by an "outdoor" flat?
I've not heard that term before.
But to further clarify, what did you mean by an "outdoor" flat?
I've not heard that term before.
- Outdoors flat: ride, ride, ride, oops, I've got a flat.
- Indoors: pump up tire with brand new tube. Pump pump pump BLAMO!! Or: Pump pump pump OK, fine - next morning: flat!
If you really want to experience the indoors flat, I can send you one of these crappy chinese-made tubes one can buy in Biltema here in Finland. Make sure there are no children in the vicinity while you inflate them. Note to fellow finnish cyclists: if you ever think of buying those Biltema tubes... don't.
#16
Sir Fallalot
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,286
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
11 Posts
Originally Posted by redirekib
Isn't it always winter in Finland? It always is in Rochester NY.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Reston, VA
Posts: 2,369
Bikes: 2003 Giant OCR2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Stockton
Well for now the hand pump will do. The LBS wanted $70 for a floor pump and it didn't even have a guage.
I got the hand pump fo $30 and figured that would get me started and I'm gunna order a decent floor pomp online tomorrow.
I got the hand pump fo $30 and figured that would get me started and I'm gunna order a decent floor pomp online tomorrow.
#18
Sir Fallalot
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,286
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
11 Posts
Originally Posted by Mr. Underbridge
Performance usually has perfectly servicable floor pumps with gauge and dual Schrader/Presta head for $20. You can probably get it online too.
#19
Perineal Pressurized
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: In Ebritated
Posts: 6,555
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
First get yourself a presta schrader valve adaptor
About a $1 at your LBS, they usually have a bucket of them at the checkout.
Then you can use a garden variety bike pump or Wally-World inflator. I find using a schrader valve setup much easier than the presta.
About a $1 at your LBS, they usually have a bucket of them at the checkout.
Then you can use a garden variety bike pump or Wally-World inflator. I find using a schrader valve setup much easier than the presta.
__________________
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
#20
Senior Member
You should pump the tyre up to a certain pressure based upon the tyre size and your weight. Someone posted a formulae somewhere a couple weeks ago. When I weighed 245lbs, I used 110/120psi F/R pressure with 700x25c tyres. I'm down to 180lbs now and use 100/110psi with 23c tyres.
#21
Mistadobalina
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Clairemont
Posts: 577
Bikes: Trek Speed Concept Flo wheelset
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Get the little adapters that allow you to use a standard air chuck. Bike shops sell them for about 50 cents. Much easier than dealing with the presta pump heads unless you are used to them.
#22
Dr. Gonzo
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NJ where the weak are killed and eaten.
Posts: 24
Bikes: 2007 Motorbecane Vent Noir
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mr. Underbridge
What the hell! What LBS are you using? I know some people don't like the place, but Performance usually has perfectly servicable floor pumps with gauge and dual Schrader/Presta head for $20. You can probably get it online too.
I think I'll get those adapters so I can use a regular pump or the air line at a gas station if I need to.
#23
Full Member
To quote Lauren Bacall ... "you just put your lips together ... and blow!"
Sorry, couldn't resist ....
Sorry, couldn't resist ....