I have read all of the threads I could find re: using Presta valves and haven't found this problem or a solution so far.

We have our first bike with Presta Valves in 30 years. Back in the 70's we had bikes with Presta valves, but not since. We always used a floor or hand pump with a Presta head back then (we were much too poor to own a compressor. Our only power tool was an electic drill.) In celebration of my 60th birthday we bought a Giant FCR2W for my wife and she couldn't be more delighted! I bought a couple Schrader adapters expecting that would stand us in good stead when we had access to a compressor (mine, gas stations,etc.), rather than using the hand pumps.

After a GREAT 10 mile ride earlier in the day, we decided to give the adapters a try last night and had decidedly bad results. We began, innocently enough, by trying to check the air pressure. We were finally able to get a pressure reading using a hand gauge, but it was extremely difficult and the adapter had to be screwed very tightly. We were never able to get air to transfer from my compressor to the tire, but we did mostly deflate the tire trying.

I tried 2 different chucks, one that Ihas a gauge, quick release, and trigger system. I use it all the time to air up our tires and those of every kid in the neighborhood. One time we got a very brief indication of air going in and then we just filled up the short hose between the trigger and chuck. We were shooting for 80# and had the delivery set at 100#. I also tried a typical press on and hold garage type chuck that came with the compressor. It never worked.

We (I) finally used the Presta hand pump to get the pressure back up to 80#, but it probably took 100 strokes, which is why I wanted to use the compressor and adapter in the first place! It seems to me that the problem is that the Presta "stem" is not depressing the spring-loaded pin in the center of the chucks.

Has anybody else encountered problems of this nature? Any ideas about how to get around this? Is there a diffferent kind of chuck that might work? Am I going to have to buy a floor pump with a Presta head and forego the joys our current level of affluence has afforded?

Thanks,
McQ