Baffled!

[wilko]

My wife complained that she had a flat tyre, so I thought I can sort that no problem. Went to the garage and sure enough the front is as flat as a flat thing. So, off with the wheel, inner tube out and a spare one in. So far so good, but this is where I start to struggle. I'm pretty sure I haven't pinched the new tube, but I can't get any air in. My pump fits both schrader and presta valves, these tubes have the presta type. As I pump the air just comes straight out of the non connected part of the nozzle and not into the tyre! I tried it again on another spare tube and the same thing happens. I tried a different pump with the same result! So am I missing a trick here, how can I pump the tyre up?

 

[martint235]

My wife complained that she had a flat tyre, so I thought I can sort that no problem. Went to the garage and sure enough the front is as flat as a flat thing. So, off with the wheel, inner tube out and a spare one in. So far so good, but this is where I start to struggle. I'm pretty sure I haven't pinched the new tube, but I can't get any air in. My pump fits both schrader and presta valves, these tubes have the presta type. As I pump the air just comes straight out of the non connected part of the nozzle and not into the tyre! I tried it again on another spare tube and the same thing happens. I tried a different pump with the same result! So am I missing a trick here, how can I pump the tyre up?

Have you unscrewed the little metal tip to the valve to allow air in?

 

[wilko]

Yes, done that Martin. I forgot to mention that I tried to blow the inner tube up out of the tyre and it seems like the air goes in when I push the plunger down, but the sucks it back out when I pull it up again. The whole thing is bizarre!

 

[Easytigers]

What type of pump do you have? I've got a lifeline track pump on which you have to turn the locking mechanism one way for schrader or the opposite way for presta...I got caught out the first time. If not, sorry not sure but good luck!!!

 

[wilko]

What type of pump do you have? I've got a lifeline track pump on which you have to turn the locking mechanism one way for schrader or the opposite way for presta...I got caught out the first time. If not, sorry not sure but good luck!!!

It's a Joe Blow sport track pump and has a similar locking mechanism as yours, but still no luck. Could it be I'm just unlucky and have three duff inner tubes!

 

[Easytigers]

It's a Joe Blow sport track pump and has a similar locking mechanism as yours, but still no luck. Could it be I'm just unlucky and have three duff inner tubes!

That would be majorly unlucky!

 

[vickster]

Have you made sure that the valve isn't stuck, I had the same problem with a presta Specialized tube

 

[wilko]

Not a stuck valve, I've tried to inflate three inner tubes with two different pumps! Going to take them into my LBS and let him have a look I think!

 

[Saluki]

I had something similar the other day. I wiggled and jiggled the pump end on the valve until it worked. I have no idea what the problem was but I think that I just hadn't got it on the valve firmly enough.

 

[02GF74]

As I pump the air just comes straight out of the non connected part of the nozzle and not into the tyre!

what do you mean by this? you have unscrew the tiny nut on presta valve, pushed it in to ensure it is free and attached the presta pump head(dunno exact term), put the lock lever in the correct position and as you push the pump handle down, you get air coming out of the shraeder end?

if that is inaccurate description, please correct.

but if that is the case, then it apears something is wrong with the pump.

... but then you say the same thing happens with another pump - does this have the same head - i.e. one that does both presta and schrader with lock lever?

linky below shows how to use the lever.
http://www.topeak.com/mediafiles/products/6615/?show=1

 

[wilko]

The two pumps both have the same head. I'm coming to the conclusion it must be me. Maybe not getting the connector far enough onto the valve or, as you say, not having the lever the correct way though I have used one of the pumps before on a presta valve and not had a problem!

 

[Tim Hall]

I've found that pumps with both Schrader and presta holes sometimes exhibit the problem you describe. As far as I can tell, the pump head contains a wee plastic slidy valve, which should move to shut off the air flow to the unconnected hole. This sometimes gets stuck. In addition, it appears to need something to push aginst - a bit of pressure in the tube to be inflated. It's also possible that the up/down attitude of the pump head makes a difference. So...give the pump head a shake and try it with the valve in different locations, so you're pumping "up hill", for example.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I'd agree with the above. My old track pump increasingly shows this behaviour.

 

[matthat]

At least i now know its not just me that has problems with these pumps!!

 

[wilko]

Ok, an update. I bought a new inner tube today, and inflated it with my new Topeak Joe Blow pump, no probs! So it would appear that I have been trying to inflate three dodgy inner tubes with a dodgy pump!! I refer to my signature.