Inflating Brompton Tires - Need Advice
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 181
Likes: 34
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 2018 Fuji Absolute, Yokota mountain bike (199?), 1979 Schwinn Le Tour Mixte
Inflating Brompton Tires - Need Advice
I need to inflate my Brompton's tires. I tried to use my Joe Blow floor pump but it was pretty much impossible to get it to go over the valve due to the size of it and needing to get around the spokes. I've seen some people recommending a Lezyne Floor Pump, but there are lots of them out there and I'm not sure which one to get for a Brompton. Some forums recommend a Lezyne for Brompton but I can't find that anywhere. Does anyone have suggestions for specific products?
Also, I tried inflating the rear tire while the bike was fully unfolded and the bike kept slipping and crashing to the ground even though I had it propped against a wall (I don't have someone to hold it for me). I then tried folding in the rear tire so it's in the "kickstand" position, but then the tire keeps rolling forward when I try to attach the valve. Is there an ideal way to position the bike when trying to inflate the rear tire? I don't want to keep dropping it to the ground as you can imagine and am at a loss for how people are doing this. Videos on Youtube don't seem to address this.
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Also, I tried inflating the rear tire while the bike was fully unfolded and the bike kept slipping and crashing to the ground even though I had it propped against a wall (I don't have someone to hold it for me). I then tried folding in the rear tire so it's in the "kickstand" position, but then the tire keeps rolling forward when I try to attach the valve. Is there an ideal way to position the bike when trying to inflate the rear tire? I don't want to keep dropping it to the ground as you can imagine and am at a loss for how people are doing this. Videos on Youtube don't seem to address this.
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 441
From: UK
Bikes: customized Dahon Helios 1x10, customized Dahon Smooth Hound 1x11, customized Dahon Hammerhead 8.0 d7, Kinesis GX Race 50(mullet setup 1x11), Forme Calver 37 (1x11), Planet X Giovanissimi 20 (1x9), Orange Zest 20 (1x9)
On kids bikes (14"), I use a traditional flexi hose connected to the foot pump because I got tired of hitting my fingers on cogs of frame as I unplug the pump.
Alternatively, if you can fit schrader valved tube, then you can fit bent extension which make life easier
Alternatively, if you can fit schrader valved tube, then you can fit bent extension which make life easier
#4
Highly Enriched Driftium



Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 2,202
Are these presta or schrader valve tubes? If presta, are they extra long valve stems? I know the wheels on a Brompton are small, but with typical pumps having a 90 degree head, I can't see the difficulty you are having.
If the bike is not stable stood up, lay it on its side on the floor. Or fully fold it, both tire valves should be accessible.
If the bike is not stable stood up, lay it on its side on the floor. Or fully fold it, both tire valves should be accessible.
Last edited by Duragrouch; 02-17-24 at 04:49 AM.
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 1,011
From: New Jersey
My memory is faded a bit, but I once had a stroller/trailer/kids bike type tire that was too small for my pump to hook on to. I took it to the bike shop. They had to look around for the tool because they didn't use it much, but they found it and pumped up the tire. Once I saw what they used, I picked one up at Home Depot on the way home - it was some sort of adapter for a regular pump.
#7
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 181
Likes: 34
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 2018 Fuji Absolute, Yokota mountain bike (199?), 1979 Schwinn Le Tour Mixte
Are these presta or schrader valve tubes? If presta, are they extra long valve stems? I know the wheels on a Brompton are small, but with typical pumps having a 90 degree head, I can't see the difficulty you are having.
If the bike is not stable stood up, lay it on its side on the floor. Or fully fold it, both tire valves should be accessible.
If the bike is not stable stood up, lay it on its side on the floor. Or fully fold it, both tire valves should be accessible.
#8
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 181
Likes: 34
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 2018 Fuji Absolute, Yokota mountain bike (199?), 1979 Schwinn Le Tour Mixte
My memory is faded a bit, but I once had a stroller/trailer/kids bike type tire that was too small for my pump to hook on to. I took it to the bike shop. They had to look around for the tool because they didn't use it much, but they found it and pumped up the tire. Once I saw what they used, I picked one up at Home Depot on the way home - it was some sort of adapter for a regular pump.
#9
Highly Enriched Driftium



Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 2,202
Last edited by Duragrouch; 02-17-24 at 11:17 PM.
#10
Gosh I'm looking online at a Brompton pic, and I can't see the issue, it looks like plenty of radial clearance (between valve stem and hub), unless it's laced with spokes crossing the valve stem? Or do you mean circumferential clearance (along rim) to adjacent spokes? Is the pump head that large? Those valve extensions are designed for truck and trailer tires, and may throw your wheel off balance, if left on.


#11
Highly Enriched Driftium



Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 2,202
Ah. Front dynamo should be smaller flange than the rear hub, but a front motor on 349s, yeah I could see a lot tighter fit. Good call. I couldn't figure out for the life of me what the problem was. Pump heads aren't that big, unless no 90 degree head, the head is coaxial with the pump tubing?
#12
Newbie

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 9
This hose adapter works great for the Brompton:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MXBYPT2
It is easier to use than the right-angle valve adapter.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MXBYPT2
It is easier to use than the right-angle valve adapter.




