Real newbie: thumb shifters and tire valve questions

zedzed

Hi,
2 quickies .....

1. 2nd hand Spec Allez with thumb shifters ... How do I go down to lower gears? On quick test when buying bike I only went up and taking a look the 'trigger' it doesn't go in both directions ... Any advice appreciated! Need to take bike out and have a play I guess but I've had a chest infection so stik indoors!
2. Tire was a little flat so went to pump it up. Cap off and I unscrew the little nut at the top. At this point the screw in the valve gets wobbly and ultimately drops into the valve. It doesn't seem right and I can't get MTB pump to attach. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance!
Dez

Beastwooduk

Hi
If its what i didnt work out as well when i got mine a, u use the brake levers to go in the other direction by flicking the brake levers inwards

sungod

as above, typically you push the brake lever inwards to shift in the other direction

sounds like your pump is for schrader valves, some have a removable head that unscrews and when reversed fits presta valves, otherwise you can get an adapter, or a new pump



road pressures are usually much higher than mtb, so a new pump may be the best option

Gizmodo

As the others have said. Just in case you still don't get it, try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoyXwlyb3cs for your gear shifting, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9byRp9e2USU for inflating your tires.

zedzed

Thanks to all - much appreciated

Dez

sev112

You guys are far too nice - both of those questions could have been answered with all sorts of brilliant wind-ups, but you have spoiled all the fun