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04-07-11, 09:43 AM
I have an air pump that I use for my Schrader equipped bikes. However, the old head would blow off the tire / tube stem while reaching higher inflation rates, say above 60 PSI. The gripping mechanism is worn out.
So I check around the web and I see a Silca replacement air chuck that says it works on both Presta and Schrader tubes (Silca's website says it works on both). I bought and installed it. However, it won't inflate a Schrader tire. There is no center pin in the head to depress and open the Schrader valve in the tube stem. There are no printed instructions at all with this chuck.
I wrote the vendor and got this reply:
Please do not take this the wrong way because we help customers with varied bike knowledge, but are you sure it is adapted properly. Are the mechanics at you local bike shop nice enough to take a look at it for you?
I hate to drive 20 miles to my LBS to see what the deal is. I know the rubber insert had to be reversed to fit and clamp onto the Schrader stem. What other adaption is necessary to use this chuck? I unscrewed the locking clamp mechanism from the part that inserts into the rubber air hose. Interestingly, the insert looks like it has the center pin. But it would have to be screwed onto the tube stem to work. I don't see how that would be useful at all for several reasons - I can't unscrew it fast enough to not lose a massive amount of air pressure. And it doesn't spin or swivel. I'd have to turn the entire air hose to use it in this manner.
Tell me what I'm missing or the thing goes back! For $27, I can just buy a new pump.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/Altair4/silca400.jpg
So I check around the web and I see a Silca replacement air chuck that says it works on both Presta and Schrader tubes (Silca's website says it works on both). I bought and installed it. However, it won't inflate a Schrader tire. There is no center pin in the head to depress and open the Schrader valve in the tube stem. There are no printed instructions at all with this chuck.
I wrote the vendor and got this reply:
Please do not take this the wrong way because we help customers with varied bike knowledge, but are you sure it is adapted properly. Are the mechanics at you local bike shop nice enough to take a look at it for you?
I hate to drive 20 miles to my LBS to see what the deal is. I know the rubber insert had to be reversed to fit and clamp onto the Schrader stem. What other adaption is necessary to use this chuck? I unscrewed the locking clamp mechanism from the part that inserts into the rubber air hose. Interestingly, the insert looks like it has the center pin. But it would have to be screwed onto the tube stem to work. I don't see how that would be useful at all for several reasons - I can't unscrew it fast enough to not lose a massive amount of air pressure. And it doesn't spin or swivel. I'd have to turn the entire air hose to use it in this manner.
Tell me what I'm missing or the thing goes back! For $27, I can just buy a new pump.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/Altair4/silca400.jpg