Hybrid Bicycles - can 't inflate my tire

So I just got a set of Bontranger Jones cyclocross tires, and the tube pushed the air out of it as fast as I pump it in. Like the tube pumps up fine without the tire, but as soon as I pump it it deflates with the tire on. I'm just getting so frustrated with it, any suggestions? It's one of those little french valves too

thanks
Nick

If it's a Presta valve (French, as you called it), then you need to make sure the fitting on your pump can do Prestas. Most pumps can only do one or the other... Presta valves or Schrader valves. If you don't want to get a new pump, get an adapter. You can probably get one for $1 or so. Like these: http://www.shopwiki.com/presta+valve+adapter

yeah i have the adapter and everything, its just that I can't get the vavle to hold the air

like basically is there like a certain way i have to pump the tubes using these valves?

Are you unscrewing the little top part of the Presta valve? If you don't do that then no air will be able to go into the tire. Using an adapter, the full process is: unscrew the valve, screw on the adapter, pump the tire full of air, unscrew the adapter, and screw the valve closed again. That's the only other thing I can think of that you might be doing wrong.

maybe i should try a different pump, it seems like the one i use jiggles the valve and lets the air out, i dunno.

found the problem. Mangled the tube a little bit, but luckily I got my Flat Pack today, so I'm patching it up and finishing with this stuff tomorrow after work

Ok, glad you got the problem figured out!

yeahh me too, it was like reeeally buggin me haha. Hopefully the patch will hold so i can try out my new tires tomorrow

I've experienced that before. I don't remember why it was happening, but I remember it was frustrating! :D The air was definitely going in, but it was coming right back out, pushing my pump handle back at me. :(

geezee haha. I ended up puncturing my tube like 4 times taking my tire off the first time. I ended up patching all the holes up to try out the new tires and I really like them. I didnt get a chance to take them off road, but they felt pretty smooth on the road

Are you unscrewing the little top part of the Presta valve? If you don't do that then no air will be able to go into the tire. Using an adapter, the full process is: unscrew the valve, screw on the adapter, pump the tire full of air, unscrew the adapter, and screw the valve closed again. That's the only other thing I can think of that you might be doing wrong.

My first experience with Presta valves made me feel like an idiot---and I was not going to take the bike back to the LBS and have them show me---I was already being outsmarted by an inanimate object, and I didn't want real live people-type folks to laugh at me, too.

Tim C.

geezee haha. I ended up puncturing my tube like 4 times taking my tire off the first time. I ended up patching all the holes up to try out the new tires and I really like them. I didnt get a chance to take them off road, but they felt pretty smooth on the road

Maybe replace the tube. If the holes are on the underside of the curve (as opposed to typical puncture on outside of the curve, if you get my drift) the patch won't hold.

Maybe replace the tube. If the holes are on the underside of the curve (as opposed to typical puncture on outside of the curve, if you get my drift) the patch won't hold.
Maybe you're just not trying hard enough. I can get those patches to hold just fine.

Nonsense. My experience is 20 plus years of working as a messenger/freight biker. I know more about patching tubes than you do.

well i replaced it anyways. I just patched it to try out the new tires. I'll try and post some pics of all my new goodies tomorrow

Nonsense. My experience is 20 plus years of working as a messenger/freight biker. I know more about patching tubes than you do.
Big man on campus. Hey, we have a professional here! Like I said, you're just not trying hard enough.

I also worked at a LBS all through my twenties, and commuted to 2 jobs a day. Some of the new high tech stuff is out of my league. But as far as patching tires... You can patch them just about anywhere, I would personally recommend, replacing the tubes, and using the patched
ones as spares, also stay away from the no glue type patches, ( junk )...the little piece used
to ruff up the tube, is actually removing an anti stick film, the glue gives the rubber a new
surface for the patch to stick to. Add a little powder to the tube before reinstalling, it replicates
the scratching off the no stick surface...so the tube does not stick in the tire. Light grit sandpaper works better than the piece that comes with a patch kit..Just for your info...
You do not even need to remove the wheel to patch a tube, so much for quick release,
just easier to steal..but I wish we had disk brakes for the ( mud ) when mountain biking....:lol:
Glad you found the problem ! Richard :thumb:

My first experience with Presta valves made me feel like an idiot---and I was not going to take the bike back to the LBS and have them show me---I was already being outsmarted by an inanimate object, and I didn't want real live people-type folks to laugh at me, too.

Tim C.


inanimate object out smarting me ! Still ( Laughing ) great post...Richard : )

My first experience with Presta valves made me feel like an idiot---and I was not going to take the bike back to the LBS and have them show me---I was already being outsmarted by an inanimate object, and I didn't want real live people-type folks to laugh at me, too.

Tim C.


inanimate object out smarting me ! Still ( Laughing ) great post...Richard : )

Big man on campus. Hey, we have a professional here! Like I said, you're just not trying hard enough.

I think you are wrong and I have a lot of experience to make me pretty sure you are wrong. Otherwise, I would not have commented.

inanimate object out smarting me ! Still ( Laughing ) great post...Richard : )

This was my experience! Never having seen or used a Presta valve before, I bought my Trek Valencia, brought it home, went to put air in the tires, and thought, "Well what in the heck is this?" So I did what any proud man does, and went online to find out the information, instead of eating some humble pie, going to the LBS and getting the darn $1 adapter. :thumb:

Gee, I'ver been patching tubes for over 55 years; and, other than when I was 8-9 years old, I've never had them not work, on whatever side of the tube they were on.

I must be doing something wrong - I can't get 'em to leak....... What's your story, Mike???

A hole caused by a spoke or the exposed edge of a spoke hole can be patched. You might get home before it starts leaking. It's something about the shape of the patch being pulled and pushed at the same time in a sort of potato chip shape. I've had close to 100% success with patches on the outer diameter of the tire and 0% long term repair with inside diameter patches. I have probably patched more tubes than anyone here. My patching technique maybe deficient, but it's better than most.

I don't retire a tube until it have seven patches and needs an eighth. My patches improve the strength and air retention of an innertube but add to it's weight. It's a rare problem that can can cause a puncture on the inside diameter, but I have tried to repair tubes like that a number of times and it does not work.

I would recommend against counting on the dependability of a tube patched on the inside. You can learn from my experience or ignore it.