bowiefan

I recently purchased a Trek 73fx bike and I am a newbie to this kind of bike. My old bike was a Schwinn Collegiate. Big difference! Does anyone know how to inflate the tires on this bike? It has Bontrager Racelite tires. The guy I bought it from said to inflate them to 60 lbs. On the tire it says 110 lbs. Does he know something I don't know? 60 seems low. Also, how do you inflate these tires? I tried a standard Schwinn pump and couldn't seem to get them to firm up. Also when I tried to test them with a pencil gauge I couldn't get a reading on the gauge. Anyone's help would be greatly appreciated!

10 Wheels

Which tube valve do you have?



https://www.ehow.com/how_5025403_pump-bicycle-tire.html

jt02gt

should be prestas, thats what my 7.3 has and you must have different tires that I have on mine because my tires say between 55-85

bowiefan

My valves are metal but look kind of like a schrader. They must be prestas.

10 Wheels

You may have a Woods valve:

waynesworld

I have the same bike, 2009 model with Racelite Hardcase tires. Presta valves. If you also have Prestas, you have to unscrew the outer, brass portion of the valve after removing the valve cap, if that is what you are asking.

I believe mine also say max of 110 psi. I pump them to about 100. 60 is WAY too low, IMHO. I think the tires ride harshly, but they do roll pretty quick, it seems. Nice bike, I just don't really like the tires.

Hope this helps.

qmsdc15

Haha, yeah. maybe Way to cover all the bases.

10 Wheels, for a moderator, you rock!

10 Wheels

The Woods valve is a confusing valve. My neighbor's wife has a bike she brought over from Germany.

He came over one day asking for help pumping up her tires.

Tried a presta pump and it worked.

bowiefan

Thanks to everybody for their input. I finally figured out the issue. The bike tires have Presta valves and the back tire had a Schrader adaptor over the Presta valve which too a newbie was confusing. Took the Trek out for an initial spin. Seemed light and fast with good handling and decent ride. The bike came with a Bontrager trip 4W computer which is nice. Might upgrade to a cushy saddle.

10 Wheels

You did good...We all had to learn how to air up tires

qmsdc15

No kidding! I thought those valves were long gone historical items.

mac61

I have a 7.3fx -- the valve is a presta valve, a standard pump for car tire valves will not work. The bike shop i bought from told me to inflate the tires to 80 lbs. Get a pump that is presta compatible and keep the air up to pressure.

tjakins

Hey waynesworld,

I don't have enough posts to PM you, but if you're still selling your 7.3 FX, I'm in the market. Please e-mail me at mystsofdayz@yahoo.com if it's still for sale. Thanks!

T.J.

Edit: I will also be in Trenton, OH this weekend, so that might be serendipity!

Second edit: I also didn't want to de-rail the thread. Sorry.

glowrocks

I've had a 7.5fx for 2 weeks now. The saddle is not very padded. It *hurt* the first 2-3 days, hurt a bit the 1st week, and now it's pretty much fine.

I think it depends on how much riding you (plan to) do. The more you ride, the more a padded saddle can cause chafing (from what I've read, not through experience).

So I would give it a week or 3 and see how you feel about changing the saddle after that.

waynesworld

Thanks! PM sent.

dpeters11

It can cause soft tissue pressure. Firmer saddles better support the sit bones, better for longer rides.

KungPaoSchwinn

I can share my 5 cents( inflation ) on the air presure,my 7.3 has the same tires as your,110 lbs at max, my suggestion is base on what i found on varies websites,your ground which your bike rides on and your body weight determind how much air is at the ball park,take it into consideration, smooth surface is better suitable for higher presure and vice verser,if you are not a heavy person,say 180 lbs start off with 90 lbs at the rear and minus 10% for the front,which will be 81 lbs,like i mentioned, the bottom line is about comfort or speed,you need to know what you want first.Thanks for reading.