bkelly

With three different pumps, all have had problems maintaining a seal. I get the adapter latched on, start pumping, and it starts leaking. It can be stopped with someone holding the adapter in place, but I am usually alone. Sometimes I get it to stop by routing the tube through the spokes in some manner. That is a problem.
Does anyone know of a pump that can connect to a presta valve with a screw on connection? Obviously it must have a gauge, preferably a large one, and be configured for 100 PSI.

Thank you for your time.

Iride01 

Floor pump, frame pump, mini-pump or other?

I recommend most any floor pump out there. If you are using a frame pump or mini-pump then get one of those adapters that let you put a hose and airchuck between it and the valve whether it's Presta, Schrader or other.

Welcome to BF.

bkelly

Definitely floor pump. I should have stated that. Have you a name for such an adapter? I will need to search for it.

shelbyfv

The same issue with three different pumps makes one wonder if the pump is the problem. Nevertheless, Lezyne makes good quality pumps with thread-on heads. Personally, I find them fiddly and prefer a pump with a press-on head and locking lever. I still use a Lezyne frame pump because it's handy.

t2p

I purchased a Hiro head for a Silca pump when the standard head would not remain on Aerothan valve stems - but never did use it

(and Silca might offer a thread on head - not sure ?)

instead of a manual pump I’ve been using a battery powered inflator (pictured above) and now only use a hand pump to inflate tubes before installing tube or tire

if you have battery powered tools - highly recommend a battery powered inflator ... and they are also great for inflating car tires

79pmooney

What pumps are you using? Newish or in need or re-builds and/or new gaskets? Good pumps used right work. On the road, I use the Zephal frame pumps, HPX and I still have a couple of the old HPs. Both with lever releases. Easy on and off, no leakage. My Specialize floor pump with gauge, same thing. I see no reason to use screw on anythings other than to modify the tire valves for either my pump or a gas station air (very rarely). I have the presta to schraeder adopter for that gas station and carry schraeder to presta with me on rides so I can assist someone on an MTB. But for everything else, I consider life to short to be screwing in valves adopters every time I want to add air.

Iride01 

If it's a floor pump it doesn't need an adapter hose and air chuck.

Or, at least I've never seen a floor pump that didn't have a hose and air chuck as part of it's standard working configuration.

If your floor pump didn't come with a hose and air chuck, then put a picture of this thing in the gallery so we can take a look at it. You won't be able to post the pic in this thread till you have 10 posts and a day. But if you tell us it's there we can find it.

Iride01 

There is a common misconception about using pumps for presta valves that when the air chuck is removed there will often be a brief blast of compressed air come out. That isn't from the tube/tire. Nor is it of any concern. That's just the trapped air in the hose between the air chuck and the valve in the pump body.

Perhaps it's just that air is leaking past the air chuck as it's still fastened. The presta valve will close itself with just the slightest drop in pressure on the supply side even if the air chuck is still on.

bkelly

The pump in use now is Crankbrothers. I don't see a model number, but it has a lever that is lifted to seal and pump. Unless the hose is positioned just right it leaks. My previous pump was Bontrager. Same problem.
The one I provided a link to has a video showing it screwing down on a presta or a schrader. Unless someone suggests different I will order that one.
Thank you for your time.

smd4

Here you go:

Screw-on Presta Adapter

Although I prefer the Silca Hiro:

Silca Hiro

Iride01 

Most bicycle floor pumps have a air chuck that can do either presta or schrader valves. Some you have to unscrew and flip the thing you just unscrewed and others you just push a lever on the side to move the other fitting into position. Some give you that little cheapo screw on adapter that frequently gets lost after purchase. And they too are good options if you need one.

So still, make sure you are doing it right. Any of those pumps will have worked more than well enough for most any of us.

My floor pump is a Zefal floor pump I bought at Walmart circa 2009 for less than $10.00. And I have one twice it's age that still works, but I use it for Schrader since I lost that screw on adapter long before I ever had presta valves. And even older still I have one that belonged to my dad and is older than me that still works if I put some oil on the dry leather skirt of it's piston. But it only has a screw on chuck for Schrader valves, so it's been a while since regular use.

njkayaker

Your issue seems somewhat unusual. There are lots of people successfully using all sorts of pumps on Presta valves. I've used many different pumps and haven't had a problem. People don't normally use a Presta-to-Schrader adapter.

I'm assuming you are using a Presta head (some heads have holes for Presta and Schrader; some pumps are Presta only; some pumps are Schrader only).

A Bontrager pump I used requires the lever on the head to go "over the top" (about 120') to make a seal. This is not common (for most pumps, the lever rotates about 90').

Do your Presta valves have threads (with a retaining nut) on the stem or are they smooth? The smooth type can have issues sealing. If you have this type, maybe a gentle twist with sandpaper might add enough friction.

Polaris OBark

Lezyne

jaxgtr

Is this a two sided pump where you need to select Presta or Shrader? I have a Bontrager Pump and it just presses on and will work with either type of head, never had a issue with it. They usually have a adjustable head on them, is that loose, or not tightened all the way? maybe causing you not to get a good seal?

urbanknight

There are a lot of less expensive pumps out there that work "ok" but either have some annoying flaws or don't last (or both). I have been very happy with the Silca and Blackburn pumps I have owned. Every time I thought I would save money with another brand, I found myself shopping for a new pump in about a year.

beng1

Presta valves are for elitists. Drill the rims out and use regular schrader valves, that is what I did with my Marin over two-decades ago, the best thing I ever did for the bike.

smd4

Only if you’re stuck in 1973 doing bike tours in rural America.

terrymorse 

Do not drill out rims!

Drilling a larger hole to fit a Schrader valve weakens the rim, making the valve hole a future failure site.

Presta valves were developed precisely because they required smaller diameter holes in the rim.

njkayaker

Thousands and thousands of cyclists have no problems using Presta valves.

Chuck M 

bkelly This is what I suspect is giving you your issue. Often it isn't obvious how the part that you remove and flip over in the head goes in for each type of valve.

smd4

Elitists. Every single one of 'em. Including me.

bkelly

As a newbie I can only post 5 times in 24 hours so have been shut out till now.

The Crankbrothers pump has a dual connection, side by side with nothing that might unscrew, except the tubing to the pump. That is tight. This is the only pump I have right now.

I ordered the screw on presta adapter suggested by smd4. It arrived today and was tested. As soon at the pump head is clamped on it starts leaking. Specifically, when the clamping lever is pulled up it starts leaking. The little screw knob on the presta valve was backed off about halfway, same result. I cannot stop the leaking.

Evidently, when the lever is pulled up to clamp the head onto the presta valve, the mechanism in the head presses down on the top of the presta value that sticks up.

So now order the Lezyne pump and see what happens.

Thank you for your time.

The Chemist

My mini-pump from Decathlon has a screw-on head. It works pretty darned well given how small it is.

79pmooney

Big fan of presta here. But many have drilled rims for schraeder with no issues and it has been done for generations. As I at least suggested in my first post, I am a huge fan of quality pumps with good locking slip-on presta chucks. (Zephals on all my bikes and a Specialized floor pump. I don't know who made it.)

You can get screw-on adopters to go either way, presta to schraeder (P-S) (any bike shop) or schraeder to presta (S-P) (Cantitioe Road; they are mostly E-bike but they have some good items that aren't often found and their site and service is first class and fast.) S-Ps at Cantitoe Road are $9, Italian made and quality. Fun historical fact: We used to make clumsy versions of the S-P out of common items at any bike shop. Promoted by the then unknown Sheldon Brown who used to come to our shop late in the day to hang with our mechanic. We called those adopters "damsel in distress" valves. We all made and carried them in hopes of helping some attractive young lady and perhaps reaping a date. (1977. "pc" didn't exist yet.)

RCMoeur 

I happily use both Schresta and Prader, depending on the bike.

Now, I feel lost and alone, between two warring tribes, a member of each, yet not a member at all.

Fortunately, I'm used to this lonesome alienation...