Bent Presta valves

borntobemild

I've had my first bike with Presta valves for 15 months now. I've had continual problems inflating the tyres. Bought a variety of reversible pumps, none of which seems very satisfactory.
Difficult to get air in and the pressure gauges seem to be wildly inaccurate or just don't work.

As a result I get frustrated, give it too much welly and then bend the valve.

Done this several times now.

First question - can you bend the valves back into position, or is it best just to scrap the tube.
Second question - what advantage if any does a presta valve give you on an MTB
Third question - am I alone in having this problem, or am I just a clumsy b****r.

If it's the latter then tell me, i can take it.

At the moment I've had to revert to a presta/schrader adaptor and an old fashioned cylinder pump when i'm on the road

bails87

I've never had a problem but some do. I reckon you're just being cack handed

As it happens, I use this pump, it has a hose, so you shouldn't damage the valve.

No gauge, but I don't think you'd need one tbh, just go by 'feel'.

Raymondavalon

I've bent a few myself being somewhat zealous..
I just bend them back by hand, but very gently.

fletch8928

I dont think Ive ever had a straight one from the first inflation. just gently bend it straight again.

borntobemild

thanks guys - will give the valve a bit of gentle persuasion next time it happens. Nice to know i'm not the only one.

hoochylala

borntobemild wrote:

thanks guys - will give the valve a bit of gentle persuasion next time it happens. Nice to know i'm not the only one.

Oh your not the only one, im cack handed too! As of others advice, just bend back gently.

thewaiter

there a fooking pain in the arse!!!!....... I can never pump the damn things up properly :oops: when pumping air in where is the value meant to be ? fully locked out or somewhere between that and closed....... :?:

hoochylala

thewaiter wrote:

there a fooking pain in the ars*!!!!....... I can never pump the damn things up properly :oops: when pumping air in where is the value meant to be ? fully locked out or somewhere between that and closed....... :?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wreZho5I2E4

bails87

I unscrew it all the way, give it a little push down to make sure it's open and then pump.

thewaiter

well aint that a daisy...... that's kind of what i've kind doing, just sometimes, when using the track pump, the air does not go into the tyre and the PSI gauge on pump starts to rocket into the 70's and upwards :!:

as the vid says, something didn't go quite right at the start.... thanks once again

peter413

thewaiter wrote:

well aint that a daisy...... that's kind of what i've kind doing, just sometimes, when using the track pump, the air does not go into the tyre and the PSI gauge on pump starts to rocket into the 70's and upwards :!:

as the vid says, something didn't go quite right at the start.... thanks once again

Have you unsrewed the valve?

The Northern Monkey

Presta valves suck!

Always stick with schrader!

mikee1979

Presta valves do suck! I have a constant battle with trying to get air in my tyres and end up bending them as well. Maybe I need a new pump, if there are any recommendations for a good pump to use on presta valves I'm all ears.

bails87

mikee1979
See my post above.

bigbenj_08
They're fine, the problem is your ham fists!

Surf-Matt

mikee1979 wrote:

Presta valves do suck! I have a constant battle with trying to get air in my tyres and end up bending them as well. Maybe I need a new pump, if there are any recommendations for a good pump to use on presta valves I'm all ears.

This one - old school pump "tube" so it doesn't snap presta valves off...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Lezyn ... 360034750/

Buckled_Rims

On a Mountain bike I'll always use a schrader valve. The pressures I use are only 45 psi max. Also, I would be wary of sticks and twigs bending the longer Presta valves on many tracks if one gets thrown into your wheel..

On my road bike, the Presta has a slight advantage because of the higher pressures.

rolf_f

I've got a slightly bent presta - don't bother straightening it as it doesn't really need it. The seal is made by the position of the pin; you can tighten a bent pin up without it being straight and it still won't let any air out. As long as the dust cap still fits on, just leave it as is.

And get a Leyzne Pressure Drive

getting_on_a_bit

mikee 1979
Get yourself a Lezyne mini pump,it's a hose type for presta and shraeder and it works great.
I had years of using useless press fit type mini pumps beforehand

Thebigbee

Have bought a foot pump from Aldi - £4.99 had no problems pumping up schrader valves - accurate and easy.

However haven't got a schrader valved bike anymore - a hybrid with prestas - just is a pain to pump them up!!.

I also bought a schrader/ presta adaptor off Ebay - still same problems. Anyone know what I am doing wrong?

Yes - I know about the nut to release the air!

When eventually I do start getting air in there I have to hold either the pump, or adaptor on there and it still sounds like air is coming out all over the place.

What am I doing that is so fundamentally wrong? Any help or advice greatly received.

P.S. I don't think it is the pump or adaptor as they work fine with actual Schrader valves and the pressure guage works fine. When I try to do the Prestas it is just a "feel and go" - I must be doing something stupidly.

Please help...

getonyourbike

I've got a topeak turbo morph with a hose and I've never bent a valve. I don't see what the problem is