Inflating Brompton Tires - Need Advice
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 181
Bikes: 2018 Fuji Absolute, Yokota mountain bike (199?), 1979 Schwinn Le Tour Mixte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 34 Times
in
27 Posts
Inflating Brompton Tires - Need Advice
I need to inflate my Brompton's tires. I tried to use my Joe Blow floor pump but it was pretty much impossible to get it to go over the valve due to the size of it and needing to get around the spokes. I've seen some people recommending a Lezyne Floor Pump, but there are lots of them out there and I'm not sure which one to get for a Brompton. Some forums recommend a Lezyne for Brompton but I can't find that anywhere. Does anyone have suggestions for specific products?
Also, I tried inflating the rear tire while the bike was fully unfolded and the bike kept slipping and crashing to the ground even though I had it propped against a wall (I don't have someone to hold it for me). I then tried folding in the rear tire so it's in the "kickstand" position, but then the tire keeps rolling forward when I try to attach the valve. Is there an ideal way to position the bike when trying to inflate the rear tire? I don't want to keep dropping it to the ground as you can imagine and am at a loss for how people are doing this. Videos on Youtube don't seem to address this.
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Also, I tried inflating the rear tire while the bike was fully unfolded and the bike kept slipping and crashing to the ground even though I had it propped against a wall (I don't have someone to hold it for me). I then tried folding in the rear tire so it's in the "kickstand" position, but then the tire keeps rolling forward when I try to attach the valve. Is there an ideal way to position the bike when trying to inflate the rear tire? I don't want to keep dropping it to the ground as you can imagine and am at a loss for how people are doing this. Videos on Youtube don't seem to address this.
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
#2
Junior Member
First, chock the wheels, use some sticks or a couple of rocks it can't roll and fall over. I use a Giant branded floor pump air tower 0 or something..Silca Tattica works fine , Topeak road pocket rocket also.
Likes For Bleu:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 754
Bikes: Dahon Jetstream p8 (sold), customized Dahon Helios x10, customzed Dahon Smooth Hound x11,customized Dahon Hammerhead 8.0 d7, Planet X Free Ranger (mullet setup 1x11), Planet X Giovanissimi 20 (1x9), Frog 52 (1x9) and Frog 48 1s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 274 Post(s)
Liked 244 Times
in
180 Posts
On kids bikes (14"), I use a traditional flexi hose connected to the foot pump because I got tired of hitting my fingers on cogs of frame as I unplug the pump.
Alternatively, if you can fit schrader valved tube, then you can fit bent extension which make life easier
Alternatively, if you can fit schrader valved tube, then you can fit bent extension which make life easier
Likes For Fentuz:
#4
Senior Member
Are these presta or schrader valve tubes? If presta, are they extra long valve stems? I know the wheels on a Brompton are small, but with typical pumps having a 90 degree head, I can't see the difficulty you are having.
If the bike is not stable stood up, lay it on its side on the floor. Or fully fold it, both tire valves should be accessible.
If the bike is not stable stood up, lay it on its side on the floor. Or fully fold it, both tire valves should be accessible.
Last edited by Duragrouch; 02-17-24 at 04:49 AM.
Likes For Duragrouch:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 572
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 275 Times
in
176 Posts
My memory is faded a bit, but I once had a stroller/trailer/kids bike type tire that was too small for my pump to hook on to. I took it to the bike shop. They had to look around for the tool because they didn't use it much, but they found it and pumped up the tire. Once I saw what they used, I picked one up at Home Depot on the way home - it was some sort of adapter for a regular pump.
Likes For ScottCommutes:
Likes For Jipe:
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 181
Bikes: 2018 Fuji Absolute, Yokota mountain bike (199?), 1979 Schwinn Le Tour Mixte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 34 Times
in
27 Posts
Are these presta or schrader valve tubes? If presta, are they extra long valve stems? I know the wheels on a Brompton are small, but with typical pumps having a 90 degree head, I can't see the difficulty you are having.
If the bike is not stable stood up, lay it on its side on the floor. Or fully fold it, both tire valves should be accessible.
If the bike is not stable stood up, lay it on its side on the floor. Or fully fold it, both tire valves should be accessible.
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 181
Bikes: 2018 Fuji Absolute, Yokota mountain bike (199?), 1979 Schwinn Le Tour Mixte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 34 Times
in
27 Posts
My memory is faded a bit, but I once had a stroller/trailer/kids bike type tire that was too small for my pump to hook on to. I took it to the bike shop. They had to look around for the tool because they didn't use it much, but they found it and pumped up the tire. Once I saw what they used, I picked one up at Home Depot on the way home - it was some sort of adapter for a regular pump.
Likes For ciclista_pazza:
#9
Senior Member
Last edited by Duragrouch; 02-17-24 at 11:17 PM.
#10
Schwinnasaur
Gosh I'm looking online at a Brompton pic, and I can't see the issue, it looks like plenty of radial clearance (between valve stem and hub), unless it's laced with spokes crossing the valve stem? Or do you mean circumferential clearance (along rim) to adjacent spokes? Is the pump head that large? Those valve extensions are designed for truck and trailer tires, and may throw your wheel off balance, if left on.
#11
Senior Member
Ah. Front dynamo should be smaller flange than the rear hub, but a front motor on 349s, yeah I could see a lot tighter fit. Good call. I couldn't figure out for the life of me what the problem was. Pump heads aren't that big, unless no 90 degree head, the head is coaxial with the pump tubing?
#12
Newbie
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 32
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
7 Posts
This hose adapter works great for the Brompton:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MXBYPT2
It is easier to use than the right-angle valve adapter.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MXBYPT2
It is easier to use than the right-angle valve adapter.