complete newbie question - about pumping tyres

[mmace]

is there a trick to pumping tyres?

everytime I do it the tyre ends up with less air than before I did it!
is there a way to do it?
I tried pumping them up last night but they went down so much I couldn't ride to work this morning!!!

any tips?

 

[dantheman]

if youre using the "old" type pump with the screw in valve, try unscrewing from the pump before unscrewing from the valve, and overinflate slightly to compensate for the bit you lose.

or buy a better pump, track pumps are good (if you want one to leave at home), and the "newer" clip on valve heads lose less pressure 'cause they're quicker and easier to remove.

 

[shimano]

what sort of valve do you have?

http://sheldonbrown.com/flats.html#valves

mine are the Schrader or 'car' type and I use a portable power pack with built in compressor (at home of course, it's a tad heavy to cycle with ). It takes moments to pump up, beats using a hand pump!

 

[Blue]

is there a trick to pumping tyres?

everytime I do it the tyre ends up with less air than before I did it!
is there a way to do it?
I tried pumping them up last night but they went down so much I couldn't ride to work this morning!!!

any tips?

That sounds like a slow puncture - have you checked?

 

[RedBike]

Sounds like you need a new pump!

 

[mmace]

I have a shrader valve, just put in a new inner tube and it's exactly the same, the pump is brand new (high volume pump) but I cannot get the tyres up!
I've not cycled in nearly 2 months because of this, I just cannot get them pumped up, as soon as I sit on the bike the metal of the wheel touched the floor
I am literally pennyless at the moment so cannot afford new innertubes or a pump so I really need tips on how to do it with what I have now!

any help would be appreciated

 

[mmace]

could I use something like this (I have credit at Halfords)?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...1_productId_377965_langId_-1_categoryId_74302

 

[Dayvo]

There's maybe too much detail (if you just want to inflate your tyre) but it is very helpful if you don't have too much experience.

http://bicycletutor.com/fix-flat-tire/

or this, which is also easy to follow;

http://bicycletutor.com/presta-valve/

 

[mmace]

cheers, but neither really show me what I'm doing wrong with my type of valve/pump

 

[Dayvo]

Is your pump adapter suitable to the valve?

 

[swee'pea99]

As Blue says, if you can't pump them up, there's something wrong with your pump, tube or technique. If you can pump them up but they go down overnight, that's a different problem.

You say it's a new tube. Have you managed to pump it up at all? Even softly? If not, your valve may be sticking. Try prodding the little pin in the middle with a matchstick or pen tip. It should depress slightly into the valve, then pop back up.

Can you try a different pump? A car pump, ideally. There's one in every car. Schraders really should be pretty foolproof - prestas can be tricky.

If you can pump it up but it goes down overnight, you either have a slow p******e or a faulty valve.

 

[domtyler]

Do you not have anyone who can physically help you out?

 

[mmace]

I pump them up until the tyre is solid, it seems to be going down when I remove the valve (less than a second of hissing)

will take it to my local independent

cheers guys!

 

[purplemoon]

what sort of valve do you have?

http://sheldonbrown.com/flats.html#valves

mine are the Schrader or 'car' type and I use a portable power pack with built in compressor (at home of course, it's a tad heavy to cycle with ). It takes moments to pump up, beats using a hand pump!

According to this I have the Presta valves. I had to go and buy an old fashioned pump to put some air in the tyres but I've just noticed you can get special adapters to use a car pump. Where would I find these? LBS?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Your LBS should be able to supply one no problem at all. I also believe the reverse is true ie adaptors to use old style pumps on newer bikes :-)

According to this I have the Presta valves. I had to go and buy an old fashioned pump to put some air in the tyres but I've just noticed you can get special adapters to use a car pump. Where would I find these? LBS?