Trying to pump up a deflated road bike tyre...

[malycle]

...but pressure dial on pump shows 120PSI and high resistance when pushing down on pump! Any ideas?

 

[biggs682]

how much pressure are you trying to put in ?

have you opened the valve ??

 

[PeteXXX]

Is it a Presta or Schrader valve do you know? With a Presta valve you have to unscrew the knurled nut first or no air will go into the tube.

 

[classic33]

Short Presta valve insert?

 

[Arrowfoot]

The pump is working to show that sort of reading. The value is certainly not opened.

View: https://youtu.be/I6J8D0RLmFo

 

[bikingdad90]

Take the pump off and reapply squarely and flat. It will be trying to push against its own back pressure.

 

[jim55]

Unscrew the valve inner

 

[buggi]

First check you have unscrewed the end of the valve, which is a common beginner mistake.

If that is not the problem, take the pump off the valve and attach it again. If the tyre is already deflated you probably won't feel any air escape. If its inflated anyway and you just wanting to bring it back up to pressure you'll feel some resistance and, as with my pump,I can hear a tiny bit of air escaping. If I don't hear that I know my pump won't work properly and I have to re attach it.

Don't forget to screw your valve back up after

 

[TheDoctor]

^^This.
I've found valves to stick before. Unscrew, press the end to release a little air, then pump.

 

[Tojo]

^^This.
I've found valves to stick before. Unscrew, press the end to release a little air, then pump.

Works every time......