Inflating a deflated Presta tube?
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Inflating a deflated Presta tube?
Any tricks to inflating a Presta valve tube from a completely-deflated state?
Pulled out my bike for first time I a while, tires were flat. When I open the presta valves (unscrew them for inflation) and try to put my Blackburn AirTower 2 AnyValve pump over the Presta valve , I can't get it to inflate: all that happens is I press down on pump and then the pump pops off the valve , it's as if the Presta valve is screwed close but I double-checked it's not. Any tips or tricks to get the Presta valve to start taking in air?
Pulled out my bike for first time I a while, tires were flat. When I open the presta valves (unscrew them for inflation) and try to put my Blackburn AirTower 2 AnyValve pump over the Presta valve , I can't get it to inflate: all that happens is I press down on pump and then the pump pops off the valve , it's as if the Presta valve is screwed close but I double-checked it's not. Any tips or tricks to get the Presta valve to start taking in air?
#2
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Sometimes the valve can get stuck. After you unscrew it, push it in. That will break the seal and you should be able to inflate it normally.
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^^ yup
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Only posting to remind you that you'll probably need to "burp" the valve each time before pumping.
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A completely deflated tube may allow the valve to be pushed back into the tire so far that the pump head can't get a purchase. If that's the problem, push on the tire tread directly over the valve to keep it sticking out far enough. And, yes, a sticking valve can require huge pressure to open so tapping it with your finger first is often needed.
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At the low pressures with fat MTB tires, the nut is more useful.
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As Looigi noted, not all Presta stems are threaded and those nuts serve only that limited purpose. I discard them because the are a nuisance when you do have to repair a flat, both to remove the tire/tube and to reinstall it. Pressing with my thumb is easier.
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They also serve to keep the stem in a radial orientation, reducing the risk of tear flats at the stem base.
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I respectfully disagree. (partly). While they stabilize the valve when pumping which is in their favor, they can also mask tire/rybe creep by keeping the valve from moving with the tube, increasing shear stress at the base, and eventually leading to base separation.
I vave mixed feelings on these nuts. I NEVER use them on tubulars, but do leave them on loosely on the fat tired commuter so pushing the head on produces less stress on the tube/valve connection.
These days, with the newer crappier design, valve separation is my No.1 cause of flats. I've found it happens most often because of corrosion causeing a bond failure, especially after rain. These days, I'm using an O-ring sandwich on the valve stem, with the nut closing it tight against the rim, and it seems to be helping, but the jury's still on on this,
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I have tires about a year old and they have threaded stems.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.