Witterings

I'm using a Presta to Schradar adapter and an air compressor to pump up tyres but I'm guessing when I'm not actually putting air into the tyre the pin is pushed out by the air and so I'm not getting a pressure reading and no idea what I've inflated it to.

I've also tried using a standard pressure gauge like one of these but again as the pins out it doesn't show a reading
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ty...m1pczQXs90x1M:

It's weird as I had another inflator until very recently and I#m sure that showed what the pressure was but it went back as the connecting valve was faulty.

My bike pumps also don't have gauges on them so can't try that either,

Any ideas and does anyone else have the same problem??

Stormsedge

I ended up investing in a presta specific pressure gauge. That way, no matter the pump, one can check tire pressure. Especially good for when bike is on the work stand. Keep smiling.

VegasTriker

I was given a Topeak Smart Gauge as a Christmas gift quite a few years ago. It has a small lever that you switch back and forth to change from presta to schrader. It works very well. The only thing to remember is that each time you check tire pressure you lose a little air so daily checking will require more frequent inflations.

Example of the original version: https://www.ebay.com/itm/TOPEAK-SMAR...wAAOSwvD5Z6lnw

and the fairly pricey version Topeak Smart Gauge D2 (20 British pounds from a UK seller) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Topeak-Smar...QAAOSwoRBaaFvk It's probably available from any of the UK online bike shops too.

Flip Flop Rider

32 bucks

https://www.amazon.com/Performance-G...ike+pump&psc=1

Witterings

I've just bought a compressor so I don't have to use a pump

Milton Keynes

I use a Milton inflator hooked up to my air compressor:



It's got a gauge in it so when you put it on the valve stem it tells you how much pressure is in the tire. Just squeeze the lever to inflate. I do have to use a presta-to-schrader adaptor, though.

JohnDThompson 

You could always put a presta head on it:

Witterings

Must admit I think that's the route I'm thinking of taking and getting one of these which I can cut the end off and put the Presta chuck on it

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycl...wAAOSw0IJZ1x14

bogydave

I’m a “Squeezer”
If it feels about right,
Good to go

If feels a bit soft,
I add air
(My pump has a gage)
But the Accuracy is unknown
Prob +/- 10#

bogydave

I’ve noticed some of the shrader/presta adapters
Are too long to get a tire pressure
gage to push in enough to
measure . I’ve ground (filed) them
shorter to make them work for my gages.

Tip:
Make sure you back out the presta stem all the way.

Iride01

Your cheaper option might be to buy a floor pump with the gauge on it. Then you'll have something that works for presta and schrader. My 10 dollar floor pump is ten years old. But YMMV.

Witterings

Would this set up work or would it just blow the head off do people think, I'm guessing as you can use a track pump up to pretty high pressure it should be OK but interested to see what other's thoughts are

Take one of these and cut the end with the air chuck off and screw the other end into the inflator with a gauge

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1PC-Zinc-...wAAOSw4GVYRSD0

Take one of these and fit it to the bear hose where you've cut the chuck off from .... I'm guessing the internal pipe width would be similar

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replaceme....c100677.m4598

dsaul

AccuGage https://www.ghmeiser.com/bicycle-gauges.htm makes a line of presta valve gauges that are much more accurate than pump mounted gauges. They also have a bleed valve on them to allow you to release air with the gauge attached. I think I got mine for $14 from Amazon.

Daniel4

My cheapo dept store ccm floor pump came with a presta valve adapter and has a pressure gauge. It only costed around $20 something.

On the road for my fatbike I carry a low pressure gauge from Bike Planet that costed $14. For my narrow tire bike, I squeeze test.

cyccommute 

Rather than cut the hose and waste one of the inflators, why not just use an SKS pump adaptor? It comes with a chain so that it just hangs on the end of the air hose. Since it's from SKS, it's probably available in Europe as well.

Iride01

Accuracy is not a big deal. When you can get a cheap pump with a gauge that works for both presta and schrader, why will you want to spend more money to re-invent what's already invented?

If you have everything to make it laying around taking up space, then sure, go for it.

Witterings

It's not normally the adapters that cause the problem but the fact that most of the air chucks don't seal very well to the adapters and that's why the pin is able to push back out and you don't get a pressure reading (have discovered this since original posting) ... I have a 12v one in my car that's a twist up connector that works fine with one of these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Presta-Schr.../dp/B00EYG43T0

But we have 4 bikes and 4 cars in the family, the little 12v cigarette jobbies take forever ... especially with the cars and hence why I bought a compressor (for other jobs as well) as I just wanted a quick and easy way to check / top everything up one in a while and at the same time without taking ages and this seemed the best way to do it.

If my last suggestion works then for less than £5 I can simply buy a track pump head, cut the existing line and put it on the end and then have one inflator that does both Schrader and Presta ...... Worse case if that doesn't I can get all the bits to have a a 2nd inflator for the bikes for less than £20 which personally I think to use over the years will be well worth it in the time saved.

I maybe should have made the original post a bit clearer as it's not just to measure the pressure but to be able to measure the pressure whilst using a compressor / tyre inflator

Do appreciate everyone's input and apologies if I wasn't overly clear in what I was trying to achieve from the start.

jack002

Same here. Also air compressors have blown tires off the rim for me when I have used them. I always pump them with a floor pump. (It can count as a warmup if you do it before a ride!)

superpletch

I've been looking for a presta valve head to replace my schrader valve head on my inflator i use with my compressor. where did you get it?

JohnDThompson 

The one in the picture is an old Silca track pump head. You can still buy them separately from Silca (or the new "Hiro" side-lock head, if you have the $$$), but as @cyccommute notes above, these days SKS makes an adapter that would obviate the need to cut off the Schroeder head.

79pmooney

I now have a Specialized pump with gauge and presta/Schraeder head but I rode decades with no gauge and just squeezed my tires. Every once in a while I would use someone else's pump and gauge, sometimes at races, but I raced the vast majority of my races by the squeeze. Do it enough and you get to know your tires and what works. Plus that gauge never gets lost, borrowed and not returned or left at home. Compatible with floor pumps, gas station pumps and frame pumps. Price is right too.

Ben

superpletch

I have a couple similar air chucks for may air compressor and have been trying to figure a way to make one presta specific so I dont have to take the little $2 adaptor on and off before every ride. I know...."life is tough." the silca ends are $30-40 which is halfway to a good presta air chuck.

I have ordered an SKS presta adaptor for <$10. has anyone used one of these and do they work?

SKS Presta Valve Adapter - BlueSkyCycling.com - BlueSkyCycling.com

cyccommute 

I use them regularly at my local co-op. The work just fine. My biggest problem with them is keeping them attached to the hose...some bozo is always taking them off but that's the way of a co-op

Witterings

Do they screw onto the Presta valve or are they push on like the Silca ones???

cyccommute 

They just push on like the Silca chuck.