Track pump frustrations

TLK
TLK Posts: 12
edited November 2008 in Workshop
someone needs to help before I end up totally losing my cool! Last year my wife bought me a £25 track pump from Halfords - it was OK with a dual Presta/car valve head. Car valve was no problem, but on the Presta, unless I managed to hold the head in "exactly" the right angle/depth, then it was hopeless to pump air into the inner tube (and try doing this with one hand!)

So I bought a £40 Rennkompressor trackpump - looks great, and obviously very well made

BUT I CAN'T GET IT TO WORK......aaaaghhhhh

Attatch the Pesta convertor into the car valve, close the valve clamp, open the Presta valve on the inner tube, attach the pump head and start to pump. All that happens is I create loads of pressure on the valve head, and nothing goes into the tyre. I have tried pushing the inner tube valve as far as I can, half way, slightly in. I have tried it with someone holding the valve head to make sure it does not move - no joy....

I have now resorted to my trusty frame pump, which works 100% every time.

So that's 2 track pumps I cannot get to work. 25 years cycling and I can't pump up my tyres - can anyone help?

Comments

  • Mister W
    Mister W Posts: 791
    Have you tried tapping the valve stem after unscrewing the locking nut, to release the seal? If you tap it you should hear a small hiss as a bit of air escapes. Then it's easier to get air into it.
  • TLK
    TLK Posts: 12
    yes, I'm pretty happy the valve stem is working OK as I lose air from the inner tube every time I try to connect

    If I can't get it working at home, I'm off to my bike shop to see if they can show me how to use it, but it seems overkills to me. If I can get it to work everytime on the car valve, why can't I get it to work on the Presta?

    frustrated...
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Is it possible that you have pushed, either or both, the presta adapter too far into the car valve and / or pushed the pesta adapter too far onto the valve stem. Just quessing, but
    I seem to recall myself pushing a pump valve too far on the tube valve and it would shut off the air from the pump or block the flow as the case may be.

    Dennis Noward
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    I usually find it's quickest to pump up to about 140-160psi in the pump then wiggle the pump head about a bit on the valve and after a few seconds the air finally goes into the tube and I can pump normally from there.
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    There is a bit of a knack to using the Rennkompressor but once you get the hang of it you'll be fine. You need to untwist the valve about three turns and make sure it's not bent, and get the pump head on straight.

    You can get a newer type head for the Rennkompressor now I believe, but the old type is reliable as old boots, if a little quirky, and you will learn to love it.

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