Enigma Echo (was Tire Inflation Question)

AndyF16

I carry a small brass Presta/Schrader adaptor tucked away inside my Multitool, but never actually thought to ask whether it's would be safe to use a filling station airline to get 700x23 type tyres upto pressure?

I carry a decent micro pump anyway, but I'm never sure whether these have put enough wind in the tyre (previous limited experience would suggest not), and of course they don't show a reading - anyone please?

Peddle Up!

CiB

The newer ones where you dial in the required pressure will be safer - they're a lot less pressurised so won't inflate the tyre with a surge like the older ones did, judging by the way they gently inflate my car tyres.

Two possible problems arise. One is that the pressure might not go high enough for your needs, and the other is that an employee at the garage might not like you using the thing for bike tyres.

paulbox

I don't think they will go anywhere near high enough will they... :?

cougie

If your micro pump cant get it up to pressure then I'd not describe it as decent.

My Lezyne micro pump certainly gets my tyres up to very rideable pressures - I'd hazard >90 PSI ?

And my car tyres run at 32 PSI - so really not sure that a car air pump thing would work ?

thecrofter

HGV's run at very high pressures so garage forecourt airlines would get up to the kind of pressure you need. BUT skinny tires on a road bike need a very small change in the volume of air to increase the pressure, I recall cases of kids being injured(perhaps killed) from a few years ago before they started charging for airlines. That's one of the reasons they used for introducing the charges IIRC.

Get a decent bike pump to use at home, they're not that expensive, and use your micro if you get a flat when you're out and about.

Peddle Up!

thecrofter wrote:

HGV's run at very high pressures so garage forecourt airlines would get up to the kind of pressure you need. BUT skinny tires on a road bike need a very small change in the volume of air to increase the pressure, I recall cases of kids being injured(perhaps killed) from a few years ago before they started charging for airlines. That's one of the reasons they used for introducing the charges IIRC.

Get a decent bike pump to use at home, they're not that expensive, and use your micro if you get a flat when you're out and about.

Without doubt the best advice. A decent footpump costs, what, £25? Why risk it?

Erudin

Used to use garage airlines a lot with my mtbs, would not chance it with a road tyre. Carry a Zefal HPX frame-fit pump on my winter/audax bike which gets up to pressure easily. Carry a mini-pump and a Gas cartridge inflator on my summer road bike.

AndyF16

I do have a track pump at home and check pressures before pretty much every ride; the adaptor thingy is a just-in-case out on the road

May be a case of gingerly using a HGV airline on an old wheel and tyre, at arm's length looking the opposite direction

keef66

I'd chuck the thing away so you won't be tempted. It's made of brass after all; that's got to be several unwanted grammes! And if your current mini pump isn't up to the job you should chuck that as well.

My Topeak Road Morph G will get my tyres up to 100 psi +, and it has a little inline gauge which appears to be pretty accurate vs the one on my Joe Blow.

Cos it's like a mini track pump it requires relatively little effort; you're pressing down against the ground. And the flexible, telescopic hose means you are putting no stress on the valve at all. Very clever design, and although the price did make me wince a bit, I've since come to realise it was money well spent.

MaxwellBygraves

Just use the micropump mate, don't both with the forecourt pumps.
More importantly, I'd like to know if you're enjoying your new Enigma?

AndyF16

Thanks chaps, maybe I should just get a bit of practice in with my mini pump

The Echo is still waiting for her first proper voyage mate, a 4 day weekend away over in Belgium and 2 kids off school with sickness and squitts has deprived me of riding for almost a whole week now I still visit her at least twice a day in the spare bedroom though - next week after another bloody 3 day weekend away we WILL be united

MaxwellBygraves

AndyF16 wrote:

Thanks chaps, maybe I should just get a bit of practice in with my mini pump

The Echo is still waiting for her first proper voyage mate, a 4 day weekend away over in Belgium and 2 kids off school with sickness and squitts has deprived me of riding for almost a whole week now I still visit her at least twice a day in the spare bedroom though - next week after another bloody 3 day weekend away we WILL be united

Cool make sure you update

on the road

I've used gararge pumps on my 700x23 tyres and not had a problem, it is safe provided you know what you're doing, just keep pumping a bit at a time and check your tyre, decide whether it's high enough.

But the problem you will find is that your adapter isn't compatable with every pump, it will work with some but not with others, it's a lottery to finding one that works. And some won't reach the pressure that you want while some will but will take forever to get there because you're losing air as you're putting air in, it's not a perfect fit.

The newer digital pumps only go up to about 80psi and the way they work, they pump a bit and stop, then pump a bit more and stop and so on, so if you use them then you won't get very far and you'll be spending a fortune because you have to pay to use them.

AndyF16

Maxwell Bygraves wrote:

Cool make sure you update

Will do, I've been deprived of doing the Wiggle No Excuses Sportive on Sunday, but as the start/finish is a mile from my front door I'm going to do it tomorrow on the 'old' bike and then on the Echo early next week to compare if weather etc is similar....

AndyF16

Decided to take the Echo out earlier than expected, and did the route of last Sunday's Wiggle No Excuses (I had one, but hey ho!) Sportive - came in 9 minutes quicker than last Friday on the Colnago, so pretty pleased

Sorry I can't write a huge long review, as hand-on-heart I'm not experienced enough to pick up all the subtle nuances of one decent bike against another, but the ride is very much more 'ironed out' than the carbon Colnago, and the Zondas do seem to creep up hills a bit faster than the Khamsins ever have

I have to say in the first hour I seemed to be getting more buzz through the bars, causing slightly numb fingers but this subsided after a while. One thing which surprised me (nothing to do with Enigma) was that the Record ProFit pedals/Sidi Pro 5s caused hot spots where my old SPDs/cheap Shimano R060s never have - not to the point of pain so maybe I just need to get used to them?

I think maybe the RD needs tweaking as I missed more changes than I would usually with 2010 Veloce which has around 6000 miles on it (all original inc chain) but overall very impressed and looking forward to a full summer of nudging up the AVS.....

Road Red

No idea whether it works or not but the silver Lezyne on my Echo looks the bogs bo**ox!

Road Red

'Dogs' even......... :oops:

Garz

Any pictures Andy?

I recently got the Etape and find it very enjoyable to ride! 8)

AndyF16

Garz wrote:

Any pictures Andy?

I recently got the Etape and find it very enjoyable to ride! 8)

Meant to take some in the sunshine today but I was on a mission, out again Friday - any of your Etape mate?