New bike, having trouble with Presta (European style) inflation valve. Help?

[Denninmi]

Hi, Lounge. The new bike I bought last weekend has Presta valves, instead of the regular Schrader style I am used to and which almost all of my equipment fits. I bought a new small hand pump and a guage which fits the Presta valves.

The problem I had last night in trying to top off the tires to full inflation -- I got the pump or gauge on, inflated ok, but then couldn't get them off, and in the struggle would lose some inflation.

I watch a couple of videos online and no clues.

Anyone know?-- I think it's just a matter of the pressure I apply in trying to pull off the pump or gauge, but the valve stem at the end looks so fragile I was trying to be really careful and it didn't want to come. Finally got both inflated and capped, but it was a struggle and I bent one of the valve stems a little at the tip.

[jmowreader]

1. You have to OVER inflate the tires to get the right pressure in them

First things first: get rid of the hand pump. You need a floor pump, and you can get them fairly cheap. Also, the hand pumps bend the valve stems, and floor pumps don't seem to.

If you have a road bike, it's got 700x23C tires on it, and they need between 100 and 140 psi. Hence the need to get rid of the hand pump--you will NEVER get enough air in that tire with that pump. If you got a mountain bike with 29ers on it, the pressure is 25 to 40 psi. You CAN get that much air in with a hand pump, but you'll bend valve stems in the process.

Anyway, you put the end of the hose, whatever it's called, on the stem, blow the tire up to at least 110 psi (or 30 on a mountain bike), and then there's a technique for getting the hose end off the stem: you flip up the latch, then immediately put two fingers under the hose end and pull it off in a real quick motion. You'll hear a shitload of air coming out, but that's mostly the air still in the hose. Finally, you screw the stem down and you're done.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. Yep.

I inflate my tires to the top of the recommended range (75-80 PSI) and remove the pump nozzle exactly as you described.

I agree on the floor pump too and will add that I had to chuck the first one I bought because the Presta nozzle wasn't cut properly.

[pscot]

3. Yep

There's a slight learning curve.

[Denninmi]

4. Wow, great!

Thanks I'll get a floor pump ASAP.

[GoCubsGo]

5. They sell Presta adapters for Schrader pumps.

Cheaper than buying a new pump, if you already have a Schrader pump. I have one. It works fine. My only problem with it is putting it somewhere where it won't get lost.

[GoneOffShore]

6. Get a Schraeder adapter that screws onto the Presta

Easy peasy.

[Denninmi]

7. Really? That's a great idea.

Did not know they had such a thing.

[GoneOffShore]

8. Try your local bike shop.

or http://www.amazon.com/Innovations-Alloy-Presta-Shrader-Adapter/dp/B000FCCB64/

Get two or three, they're cheap and you can leave them attached to the Presta, with the stem open. Just put a dust cap on it.