Bicycle Mechanics - Lezyne floor pump issues

Not sure if I am completely missing something, but my Lezyne is amazing to inflate tires, but when the tires are over 10 psi the gauge on the Lezyne wont work. It will only work if I deflate the tires completely and then pump them up. Thoughts?

Is this working differently than other floor pumps in your experience, and we're talking presta valves, right? If you put a pump with gauge on a tire, it won't read the pressure because the valve is closed, even if you have unscrewed it. The pressure in the pump needs to exceed the pressure in the tire to open the valve, at which point the pressure in the pump as read by its gauge is the same as in the tire. So, you are only accurately reading the tire pressure during a filling stroke. Normally, to top up the pressure in a tire, you unscrew the valve nut and pop the valve slightly to make sure it's not stuck, which lets a little air out. Then, attach the pump and start pumping. If it's only been a day or two since you last checked, it could take less than a full stroke. Once you're there, quit pumping and remove the hose from the valve.

Is this working differently than other floor pumps in your experience, and we're talking presta valves, right? If you put a pump with gauge on a tire, it won't read the pressure because the valve is closed, even if you have unscrewed it. The pressure in the pump needs to exceed the pressure in the tire to open the valve, at which point the pressure in the pump as read by its gauge is the same as in the tire. So, you are only accurately reading the tire pressure during a filling stroke. Normally, to top up the pressure in a tire, you unscrew the valve nut and pop the valve slightly to make sure it's not stuck, which lets a little air out. Then, attach the pump and start pumping. If it's only been a day or two since you last checked, it could take less than a full stroke. Once you're there, quit pumping and remove the hose from the valve.

I will have to try that. I did not overcome the pressure in the tire to read it. All of my other pumps were "brute force" opening the valve and always read the pressure. Either way, deflating the tire and pumping it back up takes 30 seconds at most.

Lezyne pumps are notorious for failing gauges, you're pretty much SOL. For the money that Lezyne charges you'd think they'd be user serviceable, but no.

The gauge works, I just have not successfully used it as a tire gauge like my other pumps. This is also the first road bike for me, so I will need to try overcoming 100psi.

Also, I got mine at REI so I won't have issues returning it if it breaks.

I returned mine to REI after the gauge broke. I replaced it with a Serfas, ok so far.

Lezyne floor pumps with the thread-on head are the absolute worst idea ever. SKS Renkompressor ,jawohl' ftw.

Lezyne floor pumps with the thread-on head are the absolute worst idea ever. SKS Renkompressor ,jawohl' ftw.

Mine works well. I like the thread-on chuck, as I don't break valve heads anymore.

Got it figured out. I need to overcome the pressure in the tire to crack the valve open. On a mt. bike it was no issue at ~40psi, but going over 100psi makes it different.

I prefer the thread on chuck myself as I have yet to see anyone tear or break a valve.

I like the Lezyme. The good news is the positive connection to the valve. The bad news is it can unscrew a loose-fitting valve core when you remove the fitting after inflation. (I lock loose valve cores with LocTite blue)

One time, on a new tube, the valve was frozen so well that the pump couldn't move it. Sometimes I need to hit 160 PSI before the valve stem is depressed by the pump. Now I generally push the valve in momentarily to make sure it isn't stuck. When I un-thread the connector, I let the hose twist until the pressure releases, after which the junction lets me easily turn the half screwed onto the valve while the half attached to the pump's hose remains stationary.

Come on.

You have to depress the valve once before attempting inflation or it won't work. This is the same for any pump. You aren't overcoming anything, you're just trying to inflate your tyres incorrectly.

The lezyne floor pumps is the best modern floor pump available on the market. With the slip chuck head it's even better. It's the only floor pump that doesn't feel like a wobbly noodle when you're using it.

Come on.

You have to depress the valve once before attempting inflation or it won't work. This is the same for any pump. You aren't overcoming anything, you're just trying to inflate your tyres incorrectly.

The lezyne floor pumps is the best modern floor pump available on the market. With the slip chuck head it's even better. It's the only floor pump that doesn't feel like a wobbly noodle when you're using it.

I do... There is nothing in the adapter to depress the pin....

(I lock loose valve cores with LocTite blue)

Hey hobkirk, thanks for your suggestion re LocTite Blue in the PM I got from you. How has the experience with LocTite Blue on the removable valve cores been? All positive?

Hey hobkirk, thanks for your suggestion re LocTite Blue in the PM I got from you. How has the experience with LocTite Blue on the removable valve cores been? All positive?
I've only done this twice, and that was last month, so my results have NOT stood the test of time, but so far it's worked perfectly.

I do... There is nothing in the adapter to depress the pin....

Uh, how about your thumb?

Why are you still under the incorrect assumption that you do NOT have to release a small amount of air to ensure you can pump up a presta valve tube?