Folding Bikes - Pump suggestions needed for 16" wheels

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woofman
04-13-08, 09:52 PM
I have a Downtube mini with 16" wheels. Every time I inflate the tires I need to push the Schrader valve over to one side in order to attach my floor pump. Over time this has lead to air leaking at the base of the valve.

There must be a floor pump available that would be better suited to 16" wheels and not cause this problem, right? Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

vik
04-14-08, 12:35 AM
I've got no issue with the 16" wheels on my Tikit (http://viktikit.blogspot.com/) and my Beto floor pump (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693749&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441777165).
jur
04-14-08, 12:55 AM
Has the wheel been laced incorrectly? EG is the valve located between 2 spokes that angle towards each other, limiting the amount of room for the pump head? Valves should be between spokes that run approx. parallel to each other for that reason.

woofman
04-14-08, 04:39 PM
Has the wheel been laced incorrectly? EG is the valve located between 2 spokes that angle towards each other, limiting the amount of room for the pump head? Valves should be between spokes that run approx. parallel to each other for that reason.

Thanks for your suggestion, jur. I checked and the spokes are laced correctly.

I went down to R.E.I. this morning and purchased a Topeak JoeBlow Sport ($36) which is the only floor pump I've seen that has a head with a thumb lever that goes side-to-side rather than up and down. Hopefully, this should solve the problem, as there is no need to angle the valve to inflate tire.
vik
04-14-08, 06:31 PM
Has the wheel been laced incorrectly? EG is the valve located between 2 spokes that angle towards each other, limiting the amount of room for the pump head? Valves should be between spokes that run approx. parallel to each other for that reason.



Jur makes a good point. If the wheel is laced so that the spokes are nearly parallel at the valve stem you shouldn't have any issues getting a floor pump in there.

Glad you found I pump that works, but I guess we are still a bit confused.
jur
04-14-08, 06:47 PM
I have the Topeak Joeblow MaxII, no problems.