Beto Track Pump Question

[Truth]

Hi All.
My new bike includes the dreaded Presta valve tyres !!!! I have a phobia about them I think and have changed them to Schrader on my last two bikes..... I can't on this one though.
I have a Beto track pump with an adaptor in the "lock" switch which I am sure is for use with Presta valves.
Only one end of that adaptor will fit into the end of the pump when it is is the open position and then locks in when you close it which is fine.
As the adaptor is solid plastic though I am failing to see how it is going to grip the Presta valve when you pop it on if that makes sense. What I am saying is how can the pump grip the valve when there is solid plastic between the lock "squeeze" of the pump and the Presta valve or am I missing something obvious here?
Cheers

 

[mjr]

If it's like the beto track pump I've seen, pulling the lever tightens the neck of the Presta socket. I do find it easy to push the head on so far it jams the valve though :-/

 

[Truth]

So basically then I push the nozzle onto the Presta valve as far as it can go with the nozzle open and then lock it and pump.......?
Give me good old fashioned Schraders any day.....

 

[mjr]

Errr no, that's what I was doing and jamming it! Push it on only so far that it seems to have a firm grip, then lock it and pump. If the gauge goes up indefinitely (or you hear a hissing!), unlock it and try again. There's a knack which I lose and get back from time to time

Schraders? Pah! Give me Woods valves any time!

 

[Truth]

Got you mate , sorry !
I am sure it will work, just can't fathom out how the nozzle will grip the valve through the solid plastic adaptor.
Just hate Presta valves , seem so fragile

 

[gbb]

Funny how you do things without thnking, but when you actually think...you can't quite remember...
I have the beto track pump, double ended for presta and schraeder...IIRC, is the lock down for off and when you push the head on the valve...you raise the lever to lock it. In other words, are you doing it right ?

 

[Truth]

You are right about the lock being the opposite way to what you would think is logical.
Is yours the one with two outlets at the end? Mine has one outlet to which you fix an adaptor for Presta

 

[gbb]

Mine is double outlet, schraeder and presta. But the solid plastic bit you mention in your first post....i can't visualise it or imagine what it might be.
Thinking again, is that just the moulding, the head....when you activate the lever, there will be a rubber part inside that is compressed around the valve, forming a tight seal.

 

[Truth]

You are spot on gbb with what you are saying there . There is a plastic adaptor that slips into the rubber bit that locks which basically changes the pump from Schrader to Presta . The fact that the adaptor is hard plastic I just wonder if the lock will be able to squeeze the plastic in around the Presta valve though...
I am probably not explaining myself very well here !
Probably just best to try it when I actually pick the new bike up !

 

[Truth]

Neighbour tried it yesterday on his Presta valves and said it wasn't the best but it did inflate .....

 

[Truth]

He is a better man than me!!! Just tried it and it was hopeless!
Ended up flatting the tyres almost and pumped them back up the best I could with a cheap plastic hand pump I have ,which was actually quite good.
Looks like having to go out and spend some more dosh on a Presta or dual headed one
Any suggestions? Halfords ones any good? I want use use my BC 10% discount !!!

 

[midlife]

I spent fifteen quid on a cheap Raleigh one to keep me going........ That was in 2012. Surprisingly good!

Still has the annoying up to lock lever for the hose though.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raleigh-All...1449936972&sr=8-1&keywords=raleigh+track+pump

Shaun

 

[youngoldbloke]

You need one of these Topeak Brass Chuck (also from other retailers). Has a pressure relief button, and also Schrader adapter. Push on the valve - you can adjust the tightness - and push off using both thumbs from the tyre end. Will outlast the pump!

 

[Truth]

Was thinking one of the double headed pumps might be better..... just a Presta one would be fine as the current Beto one is fine with Schrader valves anyway.
I am attaching some pics just to make sure I am fitting the current adaptor correctly.
Obviously I then screw it onto the Presta valve, with the small valve nut unscrewed, lock the lever and pump. It just doesn't seem to seal around the valve as the grey bit you can see is solid plastic and air seems to come out everywhere !!!

 

[youngoldbloke]

So it is a Presta to Schrader adapter. It might be worth trying a better one - Brass ones are easily available for not much.