Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI?
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2007-06-07 6:34 PM |
Member 33 AZ | Subject: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? My tires say 120 psi. However, to even get them to 100 I have to practically jump up and down on the floor pump handle, and even then it won't get above 100! If anyone is watching me while doing this, they're getting quite the interesting show! We bought an air compressor, but I don't have a bike tire fitting thingie for it (yet). What does everyone else do? |
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2007-06-07 6:51 PM in reply to: #834986 |
Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? Hmmmm, mine go to 110+ quite easily with the floor pump. |
2007-06-07 7:00 PM in reply to: #834986 |
Extreme Veteran 452 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? My floor pump works quite well too. How old is yours? - see if you can borrow one to try - it is probably something to do with your pump. D |
2007-06-07 7:27 PM in reply to: #834986 |
Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
2007-06-07 7:37 PM in reply to: #835028 |
Champion 6627 Rochester Hills, Michigan | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? JeepFleeb - 2007-06-07 8:27 PM How much do you weigh? Man, Aaron, most of the time you're beyond your years. But every once in a while something like this slips, sure-fire proof you're still 20something and single (sorta). On-topic - I use a floor pump most of the time...a good one with a decent schrader / presta adapter schnozzle head should be fine even for the girlies, weight or strength hasn't gotten in the way of most gals achieving max pressure (man, that sounded all wrong). Another - Expensive - option is to use CO2. With the right cartridge size, it'll inflate to max, proper inflation, from flat, first time, everytime. The only issue HERE is that it's a hassle to deflate your tire completely before filling it. And some folks use compressors...you just have to be careful that you don't overinflate before you catch it. I've seen folks use a gas station air hose with an adapter, but that'll blow your tube in about 2 seconds. Just be careful... |
2007-06-07 7:44 PM in reply to: #835039 |
Champion 6539 South Jersey | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? rkreuser - 2007-06-07 8:37 PM JeepFleeb - 2007-06-07 8:27 PM How much do you weigh? Man, Aaron, most of the time you're beyond your years. But every once in a while something like this slips, sure-fire proof you're still 20something and single (sorta). On-topic - I use a floor pump most of the time...a good one with a decent schrader / presta adapter schnozzle head should be fine even for the girlies, weight or strength hasn't gotten in the way of most gals achieving max pressure (man, that sounded all wrong). Another - Expensive - option is to use CO2. With the right cartridge size, it'll inflate to max, proper inflation, from flat, first time, everytime. The only issue HERE is that it's a hassle to deflate your tire completely before filling it. And some folks use compressors...you just have to be careful that you don't overinflate before you catch it. I've seen folks use a gas station air hose with an adapter, but that'll blow your tube in about 2 seconds. Just be careful... I never knew strength could be an issue with pumping. Anyway, to the OP, you should be fine. Make sure the pump is on the valve tight enough. Does the pump "schnozzle" ever pop off the valve stem when you get to that point that you can't pump anymore? Also, you might find pumping is easier in general if you let a little air out before you get started. I find it's easier to pump a tire up to 120 when I start at 80 or so as opposed to starting at 110. Not sure why... |
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2007-06-07 7:46 PM in reply to: #834986 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? Hmm, I've got a pretty decent Serfas pump, I have no problem getting my pressure up to 120 and beyond, neither does my 160lb. linebacker son. Mama bear, however, has to struggle to get it up over 110. Same pump, same tires. Definitely a weight/strength issue. Edited by the bear 2007-06-07 7:48 PM |
2007-06-07 8:19 PM in reply to: #834986 |
Expert 994 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? I've got a Silca Pista and can get it up to 120 without too much effort, but do feel it |
2007-06-07 9:16 PM in reply to: #834986 |
Coach 9167 Stairway to Seven | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? wendypow - 2007-06-07 5:34 PM My tires say 120 psi. However, to even get them to 100 I have to practically jump up and down on the floor pump handle, and even then it won't get above 100! If anyone is watching me while doing this, they're getting quite the interesting show! We bought an air compressor, but I don't have a bike tire fitting thingie for it (yet). What does everyone else do? THere is some physics involved regarding the diameter of the pump and the force produced when pumping. If you have a small diameter pump, it may require more force to get it up to the same PSI. I may not be using my physics terms appropriately in this context, so someone can help me out. |
2007-06-07 10:11 PM in reply to: #835123 |
Elite 4344 | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? AdventureBear - 2007-06-07 10:16 PM wendypow - 2007-06-07 5:34 PM My tires say 120 psi. However, to even get them to 100 I have to practically jump up and down on the floor pump handle, and even then it won't get above 100! If anyone is watching me while doing this, they're getting quite the interesting show! We bought an air compressor, but I don't have a bike tire fitting thingie for it (yet). What does everyone else do? THere is some physics involved regarding the diameter of the pump and the force produced when pumping. If you have a small diameter pump, it may require more force to get it up to the same PSI. I may not be using my physics terms appropriately in this context, so someone can help me out.Yuck-yuck AB. Smaller diameter=less force. Force is the area of the piston times the pressure in the tire. To the OP, are you using a frame pump or a floor pump? I have a hard time with a mini frame pump (e.g. Toppeak Mini MasterBlaster) to get to normal psi. I have to take the wheel off so I can push the pump against the ground rather than squeeze it between my hands. I need to use my greatest asset, my weight, to work on the pump. On the other hand, a floor pump is designed to let me apply my weight to the handle. Moral to the story, use your weight on the pump. |
2007-06-07 10:55 PM in reply to: #834986 |
Master 1662 Flagstaff and Phoenix, AZ | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? I've had the same issues. I basically do a handstand on my floor pump and still can't get the tires inflated past 105 psi. I weigh 135 lbs and have a decent pump I bought at Performance. It works fine on my MTB tires, so I don't think it's not the pump. I'll let my 180 lb boyfriend try it tonight. We'll see if his weight makes a difference. |
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2007-06-07 10:58 PM in reply to: #835039 |
Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
2007-06-07 11:03 PM in reply to: #835051 |
Champion 8540 the colony texas | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? the bear - 2007-06-07 7:46 PM Hmm, I've got a pretty decent Serfas pump, I have no problem getting my pressure up to 120 and beyond, neither does my 160lb. linebacker son. Mama bear, however, has to struggle to get it up over 110. Same pump, same tires. Definitely a weight/strength issue. that sounds like a strength- wieght lifting thread issue |
2007-06-07 11:22 PM in reply to: #835208 |
Member 33 AZ | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? SauseEnte - 2007-06-07 10:55 PM I've had the same issues. I basically do a handstand on my floor pump and still can't get the tires inflated past 105 psi. I weigh 135 lbs and have a decent pump I bought at Performance. It works fine on my MTB tires, so I don't think it's not the pump. I'll let my 180 lb boyfriend try it tonight. We'll see if his weight makes a difference. LOL, I weigh a few pounds less than you. So maybe it is the weight/strength and not the floor pump! It's a regular floor pump with the handle that goes up/down and the foot pad to stand on. My 240 lb husband has a much easier time with it, but he's not always around... |
2007-06-07 11:46 PM in reply to: #834986 |
Regular 124 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? Wendy...Lauren hit the nail on the head. You have to let out a couple of hits of air from a Presta valve before using a pump because there's pressure within the valve itself. Pressing it a couple of times releases that pressure and allows you to easily pump the tire. It also helps if you put your weight over the handle of the pump and use your body weight as you top off the last bit. |
2007-06-07 11:49 PM in reply to: #835231 |
Member 33 AZ | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? tinkerbell57 - 2007-06-07 11:46 PM Wendy...Lauren hit the nail on the head. You have to let out a couple of hits of air from a Presta valve before using a pump because there's pressure within the valve itself. Pressing it a couple of times releases that pressure and allows you to easily pump the tire. It also helps if you put your weight over the handle of the pump and use your body weight as you top off the last bit. I'll try letting some air out. That makes sense. I'm already putting ALL of my weight on the handle....my feet are about to come off the ground! |
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2007-06-08 12:39 AM in reply to: #834986 |
Master 1662 Flagstaff and Phoenix, AZ | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? We just tried it with the same pump, same way it's attached to the valve, etc., ...only difference is our weight. With his weight of 180 lbs he can easily get the pressure up to 110, I can't get past 105 PSI. QED Now what??? Get more CO2s I guess. On the other hand, being that light puts less pressure on the tires when I'm riding so maybe I'm fine with 105 PSI. |
2007-06-08 12:45 AM in reply to: #834986 |
Regular 124 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? The problem with using CO2s is that the gas particles are small enough that they escape from the tube fairly quickly. CO2s are fine for a flat on the road, but the air needs to be replaced with a floor pump after you return home or the tire will be soft again the next day. |
2007-06-08 5:08 AM in reply to: #834986 |
Champion 7704 Williamston, Michigan | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? Air compressor + presta adapter. Can get them at any bike store. Less than 2$ for 2 typically |
2007-06-08 6:42 AM in reply to: #834986 |
Expert 1144 Kansas City, MO | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? Sorry I gotta do it - it's not a weight/strength issue at all! Let me elaborate - I have a Specialized floor pump (cheapest I could find) and I have absolutely no problem getting 120 psi. I am 5'5" and weigh in at a whopping (ready for this???) 118 pounds. Yeah, I'm freakin' small!! I'm very lean, so I don't think it's a weight/strength issue at all. Oh yeah, my wife can do it, too. I would say to do what some others have said - let some air out of your tires before inflating. Also, double check that 120 psi is correct. You might want to check out a different floor pump - take your tire to the LBS and try different pumps (if they'll let you). |
2007-06-08 6:52 AM in reply to: #834986 |
Champion 8903 | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? If you're a woman, you don't need to spend money on a new pump. Just hang around in transition near a group of guys and loudly proclaim, "I can't seem to pump up my tires!" You will have a half dozen volunteers falling all over you.
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2007-06-08 7:01 AM in reply to: #834986 |
Champion 6107 Out running or enjoying a fine glass of red... | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? Thanks for asking the question - I have the same problem (I can get it to 90 or so, max...). I even took my pump back to LBS to tell them it didn't work, at which time the guy promptly used it to pump my tires right up to 110 while I stood there looking like an idiot. I'll try to deflate a little first.. Kristen |
2007-06-08 7:14 AM in reply to: #834986 |
Master 1695 STL | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? good post, i've noticed that after a few pumps, there's this small popping noise...i guess it's because i ned to release the pressure. Also, i've been inflating my tires to 150, i thought that's what someone told me to resist flats. Is that WAY too much? |
2007-06-08 7:17 AM in reply to: #835310 |
Champion 6539 South Jersey | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? jcdenton2000 - 2007-06-08 7:42 AM Sorry I gotta do it - it's not a weight/strength issue at all! Let me elaborate - I have a Specialized floor pump (cheapest I could find) and I have absolutely no problem getting 120 psi. I am 5'5" and weigh in at a whopping (ready for this???) 118 pounds. Yeah, I'm freakin' small!! I'm very lean, so I don't think it's a weight/strength issue at all. Oh yeah, my wife can do it, too. I would say to do what some others have said - let some air out of your tires before inflating. Also, double check that 120 psi is correct. You might want to check out a different floor pump - take your tire to the LBS and try different pumps (if they'll let you). I have the Specialized Air Tool Comp floor pump (the yellow one), and have no problems either. Perhaps it's the most user friendly for us lightweights . |
2007-06-08 7:41 AM in reply to: #835343 |
Regular 124 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: Easiest way to inflate tires to max PSI? goobergirl98 - 2007-06-08 7:14 AM [...] Also, i've been inflating my tires to 150, i thought that's what someone told me to resist flats. Is that WAY too much? If you look on the sidewall of your tire it'll give you a recommended range. |
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