Harold74

Firstly, I acknowledge that this is a pretty lame question as far as bike "mechanics" go.

In an attempt to be responsible cyclist, I try to check my tire pressure at least every third ride. I check every ride if I'm going to be far from home.

I struggle mightily to get the pump attachment off of the valve when I'm done pumping. This is especially the case for my Schrader valves. I wind up twisting and prying the valves vigorously. I'm worried that:

1) This will damage the valve and cause the very flats that I seek to avoid and/or;

2) I lose a lot of tire pressure in this process on my smaller tires an wind up going through the exercise two or three times.

Anybody know of a way that I might improve the situation?

Are some pumps better than others in this regard?

Is there some technique I don't know about?

Is there a little gadget on the market that would help me to pull the pump attachment from the valves more cleanly?

It sucks starting every ride wondering if I've torn a crack where my valve adjoins my tube as a result of incompetence.