Pumping Tyres Up - Help!

06townsonj
06townsonj Posts: 509
edited February 2011 in Road buying advice
Hi,

Right, Here is the problem -

I previously had a pair of Alexrims S500 Wheelset with Specialized Inner tubes. I could easily pump these up using a Specialized Floor Pump and a Blackburn Mini Pump.

However, I bought and upgraded my wheelset to - Shimano Ultegra 6700 Wheelset - and put Specialized Inner Tubes into them. However, at the moment, I can only pump them up using the Blackburn mini pump as the Specialized Floor Pump does not connect with the valve properly or keep contact with the valve.

Does this mean the pump is broken or do I need a longer valve in my inner tubes?

Thanks,

Comments

  • Unlikely the pump is broken. Put your thumb over the end. Does it create such pressure when you pump?

    Probably the valve. Buy a tube with a longer valve, or use a valve extender - although you're going to have a lot of excess valve sticking out.
  • The pump pums my brothers road bike tyres up so I guess it is the tubes. The pump creates a high-enough pressure.
  • gsk82
    gsk82 Posts: 3,615
    is there enough valve stickin out to get the pump on properly? my topeak blow joe pump won't go far enough over my valves unless i flatten the wheel and push the valve through by pressing against the tyre. my mini pump works fine though
    "Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    I typically have to deflate the tyres a lot to be able to use my track pump on the values.

    The pump connector doesn't seem to be able to go on far enough to push the valve in. Once the tyres are deflated (~30psi) - it works a treat!

    edit: @gsk82 : Oops... looks like you answered exactly the same :)
    Simon
  • zanes
    zanes Posts: 563
    Sounds like too short valve stems. You'll need something like;

    http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y2031
  • fred22
    fred22 Posts: 509
    don't you just need two of those little rings, one for the front and one for the rear, which screw on the valves down to the rim thus preventing them from moving when putting the pump head on? So do I! Not sure if they are sold separately, my bianchi had them on but my best bike didn't so when I'm pumping I have to swap then about
  • I have the 2 rings on the valves and the problem is still not solved. I have pushed the tyres down and held the pump on tightly and it still doe snot solve the problem.

    Will buying inner tubes with longer valves solve the problem?
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    06townsonj wrote:
    Hi,

    Right, Here is the problem -

    I previously had a pair of Alexrims S500 Wheelset with Specialized Inner tubes. I could easily pump these up using a Specialized Floor Pump and a Blackburn Mini Pump.

    However, I bought and upgraded my wheelset to - Shimano Ultegra 6700 Wheelset - and put Specialized Inner Tubes into them. However, at the moment, I can only pump them up using the Blackburn mini pump as the Specialized Floor Pump does not connect with the valve properly or keep contact with the valve.

    Does this mean the pump is broken or do I need a longer valve in my inner tubes?

    Thanks,

    In my experience, some pumps just don't like certain valves. I've got a pretty decent floor pump that copes with most things, but for some reason it just does not like the tubes that came with my Cube Agree GTC SL. Luckily I've got a 2nd floor pump that does. Just one of those things.