presta valves

[Herbsman.]

The funny thing about minipumps is that you thrash them hard and fast and you feel the tyre and think you've got it to a decent pressure, then when you check it later with a gauge it's like 20psi


Also you get them quite hot from all that pumping. the plunger gets warm and expands, making it harder to pump. let them cool a bit if you are doing frantic pumpining, go make a tea or something, then come back and pump more later

 

[tommers]

snigger.

 

[Herbsman.]

lol

 

[Boycey]

btw, is it normal for new tyres to make a squeaky rustling noise on the ground?

it can be, depends on the tread/rubber. the first pump you were using looks like a topeak smart head that auto adjusts to your valve, they can be a bit odd but once you get the knack can be pretty good- that would explain why you could use it fine one day and not the next. you should take it round to your local shop rather than chucking it

psychonaut, those pumps generally won't get far past 30psi, any bike on the road wants at least 60psi, narrow road bike tyres want 100-120psi. the shaft on the quintessential zefal 15" with valve hose pump bends easily, the valves blow out and even before that they don't work very well... they're for footballs and kids bikes.

 

[cybertect]

FWIW, Evans Cycles on Tooley Street keep a track pump outside their shop for anyone to use (it's tied down with a big loop of wire). I don't know if any other branches do a similar thing (Croydon doesn't IIRC) but it's handy if you're passing by.

 

[Boycey]

most shops will allow you to use their track pump if you're polite. if you're really nice to me i'll even get the compressor out. most evans shops charge 50p for using their track pumps.

 

[Orang Utan]

brixton cycles will lend you one for nowt - they'll lend you tools to fix your bike yourself too

 

[roryer]

It's Red Cat's bike. It's a hybrid.

I've never understood why hybrids, or mountain bikes use Presta valves, if the rim is wide enough you should always choose a Schrader.

It's much harder to break a Schrader, its easier as you don't have to unscrew the top bit first, and you can use the pump at a petrol station if you don't get caught.

 

[Biddlybee]

Haven't got the money at the moment.

They've got them in lidl this week

bugger - that was last week

 

[Lemon Eddy]

i hate those type of pumps - what was wrong with the old screw-on hose design?

I join you in the hatred of the right angle clamp style of minipump. Soon as I heard Lezyne were doing a hose connecting mini pump I ordered one. Far more comfortable to use, more secure connection, and no chance of damaging the valve core either.

 

[Herbsman.]

I like hoses too, my pump has a right angle clamp thing though. I dont know of a good, high pressure stick pump (same size as zefal HPX2) less than £20... but am open to suggestions.

 

[Boycey]

topeak used to do a wicked mini pump with hose and thumblock lever kind of like a mini track pump, probably more than £20 though.