Originally Posted by dd622
OK. There's the little valve at the end -- I know that one must be loose to fill the tube and then you screw it back afterwards.
There's another nut? There was another one that I just put near the rim. I wasn't sure what the purpose of that one was other than to keep the valve from being pushed up into the rim.
It sounds like my main problem might be wriggling the pump chuck (is that what it's called?) rather than pulling it straight off.
If you are using the threaded type, put the nut back on so that it touches the rim loosely as stated before. Then place your hand around the tire so the valve stem is in between your index and middle finger. The nut will provide some more surface area for you to grab. Tighten your hand up to offset the force being applied by the removal of the pump in the opposite direction. Try not to wiggle the valve stem too much, and pull straight off.
I actually prefer the smooth valve stems. My pump comes off of those much more easily.