being an idiot - presta valves are satan's work today

FlatEssexSociety

Hi,

being a div. Have a presta valved tyre (2 actually) on a new bike (and I'm a new cyclist!).

tyre was a bit squishy so tried to pump it up using my mate's dodgy looking track pump.

The presta attachment seemed to slide all the way down the valve without opening it, and then the locking mechanism didn't work (ie, it didn't let me put air in). Assume it's me being thick.

I did undo the screw on the valve first so it's probably a how far do I fit the pump issue.

Also, can anyone recommend a track pump that will do big pressures, as the thing matey has is some mountain bike thing and I don't think would get over 100 psi?

Thanks :oops:

daniel_b

I have a Blackburn Airtower 4, but there are a whole load of decent ones around the £20 mark, Joeblow, and specialized amongst them.

Dan

dennisn

Make sure it's a presta head on the pump. Some pumps have both presta and schrader
- some have one or the other. In any case the lock mech not working won't help you get air in a tire.

Dennis Noward

andyp

You have to release the valve even if you've fully unscrewed it. Just give it a little press in to release some air and then it should happily take air.

FlatEssexSociety

Thanks Guys. will try to make it work today without smashing bike and pump to bits in rage :shock: