Empty tires

[Aspiringbiker]

Hi, my bike has been sitting outside for 2 years unridden. I cannot fill the tires because the air is so low I can't get the valve on without air leaking. What do I do? Take the tires off?

 

[boydj]

Use your thumb to push down on the tyre where the valve is while you attach the pump. This works best when the pump can lock on to the valve.

 

[classic33]

What valve type are you having trouble with.

 

[neil_merseyside]

Photograph of valve of the tyre and the pump head would help.

 

[Aspiringbiker]

Push / pull the valve up so you see more valve stem allowing you to be able to get the pump on. What kind of pump is it?

It's a standing pump with a gauge on it. I think the valve on the tire has to be on the part of the tire close to the ground. I tried to press the tire up so the valve would come out but to no avail

 

[Aspiringbiker]

What valve type are you having trouble with.

Not sure what valve type

 

[Aspiringbiker]

Use your thumb to push down on the tyre where the valve is while you attach the pump. This works best when the pump can lock on to the valve.

I will try again

 

[Spiderweb]

As above push on the tyre where the valve is, the pump should lock on, if you are still struggling then it is likely you have short valves (presta I’m presuming), I had a similar problem made worse as the presta valve wasn’t threaded so had no lock ring to stop it pushing into the tyre.
If you really can’t manage it then replace the inner tubes with long valve ones.

 

[Globalti]

Well somebody pumped those tyres up when the bike was manufactured so there must be a way to do it.

 

[alicat]

If the above tips don't work, take the tyre off. Inflate the tube a little and put it back. Then the valve should be protruding enough to get a grip on it.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Just be aware that the tyres will likely be in poor nick at the 6 o'clock point where they have been sitting flat, on the ground outside. Check their sidewalls.

Not sure what valve type

Is the valve like a car tyre valve?

 

[silva]

Could be that the rubber wall of the inner tube, having been so long flat and maybe pressed together, now sticks together on the place of the valve. That's why they put talc on rubber - to not stick.
Gonna need tyre removal I'm afraid. Probably the tyre will also stick to the rim.

As above push on the tyre where the valve is, the pump should lock on, if you are still struggling then it is likely you have short valves (presta I’m presuming), I had a similar problem made worse as the presta valve wasn’t threaded so had no lock ring to stop it pushing into the tyre.
If you really can’t manage it then replace the inner tubes with long valve ones.

I wonder why they produce such short valves at all. To cut cost of the stainless steel?