making

I had complained the entire summer about my sorry frame pump. I had several flats and had lots of times I had to use it. I have a serfas frame pump. I never could get it to pump up past 65. I bought 3 CO2 cannisters. I had a flat a week ago and wasted the first one figureing out how to use it. so i use the second one to actually inflate the tire. It is hard and I reassemble the rear wheel and ride off. Well somethin is rubbing and I notice the tire is not properly seated on the rim. I had to deflate the tire. I am within a mile of home so i used my pump. I pumped it right up to 120 and still have not added any air. I said all that just to ask if there really might be some secret to using frame pumps successfully?

About the lever thing. I have a floor pump i love. But I was watching my wrench air up tires while we were talking. the lever on his was the opposite from mine. Odd but I was not sure enough to ask him about it. I went home and checked and mine is indeed the opposite.