General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Air Pump.... Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-08-31 9:40 AM

User image

Expert
749
50010010025
Oakland, Fl
Subject: Air Pump....
I have a nice air pump that my family bought me for my birthday and I hae had a heack of a time getting a goos seal while filling up the tube.  Anyone else has issues like this or do you think there is an issue with the pump?  I have fought with it from day 1.  The one and only time I got a good seal I bent the valve stem.


2009-08-31 12:02 PM
in reply to: #2380120

User image

Expert
749
50010010025
Oakland, Fl
Subject: RE: Air Pump....
Well, I just went to LBS and took them my bike since I am jumping gears and found out the tech that installed the cassette on my new rear did it wrong, but it's fixed now. 

I also brought the pump in and had the same issue with it jumping off the valve stem...they gave me a new better pump in replacement of the other pump...yay.  Thumbs up for this LBS in fixing the issues, no questions asked!
2009-08-31 12:19 PM
in reply to: #2380120

User image

Elite
3683
20001000500100252525
Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Air Pump....
you knocked out two birds with one stone there!

I had the same problem at first (pump not getting a good seal), but after a few times, it didn't happen anymore.

almost took it back.
2009-08-31 12:38 PM
in reply to: #2380120

User image

Expert
749
50010010025
Oakland, Fl
Subject: RE: Air Pump....
I air up weekly and ride about 5 times a week.  The pump hasn't worked since it was given to me 3 months ago.  I had enough of it last night after bending 1 valve, blowing 1 tube and then not being able to air up the last tire. Grrrrr.  I am happy now.  The head on this pump is a "smart head"  My other one had 2 separate holes depending on if it was a regular mtn bike tire or the road bike tire.  This one fits both.  Fingers crossed this one works like a charm.
2009-08-31 12:50 PM
in reply to: #2380120

User image

Veteran
154
1002525
Virginia Beach
Subject: RE: Air Pump....

Hint:
To prevent bent/broken valves, when you loosen the lock nut on the "plunger" part of the valve, don't back it (counterclockwise) all the way out to the end of the "plunger". Just loosen it 1/2 to 3/4 way out. More often than not (depending on the pump head), that should be more than adaquate to inflate the tires while preventing bent/broken valves.
Hope that helps.

2009-08-31 12:59 PM
in reply to: #2380120

User image

Expert
1116
1000100
Thornton, CO
Subject: RE: Air Pump....
I know my pump has a screw cap kind of thing on the end that holds the rubber seal in place.  If that screw cap is loose or not tightened enough, then it will not hold the rubber seal tight enough to get a good seal on the valve.

I know your problem was solved with a new pump, but I figured I'd add some value to the thread in case someone else has a similar issue.


New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Air Pump.... Rss Feed