emergency presta tube inflation at gas station?
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emergency presta tube inflation at gas station?
Let me start this post by stating that I am an idiot.
I left home this morning for my 7.5 mile commute with no frame pump and about 3 miles in, got a flat. Fortunately, I was close to a bus route, so I hoofed it over there and made it to work in a reasonably timely fashion. Thing is, now I'm 7 miles from home with a patch kit, a flat rear tire, no pump, and a presta spare. There's a gas station down the road, but I don't know of any way to inflate my presta spare at that gas station.
Does anyone have a method for inflating a presta tube using a gas station air pump and pocket knife that would save me from calling my mom for a ride and feeling like a total ******bag? I would be forever in your debt.
Thanks,
Bert
I left home this morning for my 7.5 mile commute with no frame pump and about 3 miles in, got a flat. Fortunately, I was close to a bus route, so I hoofed it over there and made it to work in a reasonably timely fashion. Thing is, now I'm 7 miles from home with a patch kit, a flat rear tire, no pump, and a presta spare. There's a gas station down the road, but I don't know of any way to inflate my presta spare at that gas station.
Does anyone have a method for inflating a presta tube using a gas station air pump and pocket knife that would save me from calling my mom for a ride and feeling like a total ******bag? I would be forever in your debt.
Thanks,
Bert
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The only way I know of is with a tiny adapter that costs less than a fart at a bike shop.
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ask the gas station guys for an old piece of rubber fuel line (5/16" inside diameter). cut off about 2" and slide over the presta valve. now the tricky part is to get the airchuck filler to work, you need to somehow press the center of the airchuck down so air comes out, try the tip of your knife. Air will come out inflating the tube , it wont be full, but to limp home on)
Adapt, Improvise, Overcome
Adapt, Improvise, Overcome
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Hey, tough situation... I had that happen once too
Unfortunately, I don't know of a way to do it but hopefully someone more clever will chime in.
For the future, pick up a little $2 presta adapter, which is basically a nut that couples to the presta valve on the one end and depresses the schrader pump on the other:
You can get 'em at Nashbar (https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...All%20Products) or probably any LBS. I keep one in my wedge pack at all times!
Unfortunately, I don't know of a way to do it but hopefully someone more clever will chime in.
For the future, pick up a little $2 presta adapter, which is basically a nut that couples to the presta valve on the one end and depresses the schrader pump on the other:
You can get 'em at Nashbar (https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...All%20Products) or probably any LBS. I keep one in my wedge pack at all times!
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ask the gas station guys for an old piece of rubber fuel line (5/16" inside diameter). cut off about 2" and slide over the presta valve. now the tricky part is to get the airchuck filler to work, you need to somehow press the center of the airchuck down so air comes out, try the tip of your knife. Air will come out inflating the tube , it wont be full, but to limp home on)
Adapt, Improvise, Overcome
Adapt, Improvise, Overcome
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You all rule...
Wouldn't the stem on my valve depress the nubbin in the pump just as well as the one in a schrader would? Thanks for the suggestions - I'll let you know how it turns out.
Thanks,
Bert
Thanks,
Bert
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I hate when that happens! Ya, adapter is the way to go. Make it a standard part of your on the road kit for when you only have shrader pump heads available.
Any place around where you see other bikes? Start looking for someone with a pump. Have your tire changed before you start looking of course.
Good Luck!
Any place around where you see other bikes? Start looking for someone with a pump. Have your tire changed before you start looking of course.
Good Luck!
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I think maybe this is a dangerous day out on the roads in St. Louis...
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good luck!
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Hey, tough situation... I had that happen once too
Unfortunately, I don't know of a way to do it but hopefully someone more clever will chime in.
For the future, pick up a little $2 presta adapter, which is basically a nut that couples to the presta valve on the one end and depresses the schrader pump on the other:
You can get 'em at Nashbar (https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...All%20Products) or probably any LBS. I keep one in my wedge pack at all times!
Unfortunately, I don't know of a way to do it but hopefully someone more clever will chime in.
For the future, pick up a little $2 presta adapter, which is basically a nut that couples to the presta valve on the one end and depresses the schrader pump on the other:
You can get 'em at Nashbar (https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...All%20Products) or probably any LBS. I keep one in my wedge pack at all times!
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That is probably a worse solution. The adapter lets you use either presta or schrader heads. I do not know of any presta adapters for schrader valves. If you are out on the trail, I have found it easier to find someone with presta rather than a schrader pump. Ya you could switch their pump valve, most do. But still, the adapter gives you an option.
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Actually there is such a thing. Bike Tools Etc. sells them and here is one reference:
https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...tem_id=SI-2220
https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...tem_id=SI-2220
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Actually there is such a thing. Bike Tools Etc. sells them and here is one reference:
https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...tem_id=SI-2220
https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...tem_id=SI-2220
I was thinking when I wrote that someone would come up with one ! I guess that top portion moves to depress the valve on the schrader?
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Wow, you must have some very tech-savvy thieves around! A Schrader adapter is about the only part that I WOULDN'T worry about having stolen in DC
#19
Fossil
The last time I attempted to top off a bike tire at a gas station it actually took air out of my tube. After repairing a flat, the frame pump got enough pressure in to get to the station, but the compressor there was set for car tires and maxed out at about 40 psi or so. I turned to the frame pump again and limped on home. I always carry an adapter though.
#20
Call me The Breeze
The moral of the story is "why carry a patch kit if you don't have a pump?" Easy solution for next time.
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I always carry one threaded onto the end of the quick release skewer that sticks out a little beyond the dead-end nut.
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I always have the adapter with me, I just leave it attached to one of the prestas on my wheels.
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FWIW, we keep a floor pump in our office for benefit of the commuters. I've fixed flats for people at work, and sometimes folks just need to top a tire up to the pressure they want. As it sounds like you are not the only commuter at work (post #10), pool your money and buy an inexpensive pump to keep at hand.
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I always carry a Presta-Schrader adaptor in my seatbag. It has saved me on at least one ocassion. However, you have to be VERY careful inflating your tires from service station pumps. It is easy to explode a bicycle tube from over-inflation. I've done that as well, and all the guys working at the station were laughing their heads off.