97guns

sorry for the newbie Q, ran a search and came up empty

i dont think ive ever checked the pressure on a bike tire, thought i might do it but how with a presta?

dagray

hook the pump that has a gage up to the valve, give a quick pump or two. Or buy a tire gage that fits a presta valve (yes they make one or two and Amazon.com carries them for around $20.00).

Dan Burkhart 

I check mine with the gauge on my floor pump. Once the valve blows open, the pressure will register. You can also buy stand alone gauges that will read presta valves. I've got one here some place, I think it's a Zefal.

johnny99

Especially for road bikes:
1. buy a tire pump that has a built in pressure gauge
2. pump up your tires before every ride

zacster

The problem with taking readings is that you will lose pressure in the process. That's why you should just use a pump with a gauge.

Duo

i tend to use my pump or a shraeder valve adapter. The valve adapter allows me to use anything made to pump and measure psi. For the most part i think presta is a bad idea but it has a lot of defenders. It wouldn't be so bad if i could just walk up to any old compressor or pump and it would fill my presta tires and that is partly the reason why i mostly ride retro stuff anyway. Some day may even drill out my presta wheel and adapt it to shraeder valves.

JanMM

No significant air loss with a decent gauge. My Accu-gage works great.

2manybikes

I use a presta gauge that works great. If I'm not home and don't have the gauge, I use a schrader adapter and gauge. They both work. It took some practice to get the presta gauge readings just right.

I top off my tires before every ride, lately I have been using the gauge on the pump too. I use the gauge when I use the air compressor.

jon c. 

I just use the gauge on the pump and top off once or twice a week.