Presta valve and a compressor
 

What do i need to use my compressor with my presto valves? I got some tubeless tires and I need to use my compressor to seat them. Neither a floor pump or CO2 did the trick. All I have is a Schrader valve attachment.

Looked on the net, but can't find what I need. I don't think I'm searching for the right thing.

Thanks.

Brandon

Drop into your LBS and they will probably have a jar full of those adapters.

Better yet, the Prestacycle Prestaflator Pro:

http://www.prestacycle.com/_dm/wp-co...pg&w=960&h=640

Prestaflator Pro ? Multipurpose Bicycle Inflation Tool - Prestacycle LLC

My local Walmart has screw on Presta to Schrader adapters.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Slime-Val...&wl13=&veh=sem

I've never used them but suspect they are as good as any.

Or you could get the same thing at Harbor Freight for six bucks.
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...mage_14012.jpg

except for the fact that they aren't the same thing, sure.

I'm asking an honest question not trying to be a jerk. What's the difference? They look identical other than the chuck. I have one of the Harbour Freight ones and I promise you it will inflate a bike tire with a presta valve if you use an adapter.

It's a personal preference issue. A Pittsburg ratchet from HF and a Snap-On ratchet look the same and do a similar task. One belongs in a tool box and one belongs in the garbage. JMO though.

It seems like a big premium, but the chuck is the good part, the piece which makes using it less of a pain. I have an HF compressor and several head fittings, and pretty much the HF stuff sucks. The quick connects don't seal securely, or the gauge reads randomly. I have an HF Schraeder inflator, and the pin depressor gets jammed off to the side such that I have to whack while using it to get it to work. I was using an HF blower head, threading a spare Lezyne flex hose into it for easier presta work, but still needed to switch heads when moving between valve types.

Basically, I got the Prestaflator for tbe convenience and hope of better quality bits. Honestly the Prestaflator doesn't seem altogether different in that category, but the gauge seems to work, at least!

So that's a pretty big difference. While the HF inflator is able to blow air through a tube adequately enough, the gauge is mostly for decoration.

You get what you pay for when it comes to tools and being a professional mechanic for the last 30 years I can vouch for the fact that Snap On does make some of the best tools out there, no question. Harbor Freight is good for the once and a while mechanic or hobbyist that will only use the tools a few times. If you buy from HF, just don't expect the tool to last and or be accurate. I would never, ever, consider buying a torque wrench from them.

Back to the topic, buy one of those adapters shown above for a couple bucks and you can use any compressor.

I'm just a home mechanic and have always considered craftsman to be a good cost/quality compromise for someone like me, but I don't mind rolling the dice on a HF tool from time to time. I actually have all three sizes of Pittsburgh torque wrenches which have been totally adequate for my infrequent and low precision requirements. Same experience with lots of HF stuff. I expect I would feel differently about tools if I depended on them for my income.

I would not buy a hf tool and expect it to be used every day. That being said I have their purple spray gun, their cheap impact wrench and air hammer. They have all done their job but I use them 2 to 3 times a year. If they last 30 uses that is 10 plus years. If I purchased better quality it isn't like I would use them more and at 3x price. I also have a hammer drill I needed it for one project and drilled around 60 screws into concrete. It worked I may never need the tool again. I think I paid 35 comparable ones were 100

The big issue with HF for me, as a hobbyist user, is the low quality which makes using them unpleasant. Slop in joints, rough cut threads which don't spin well, crap bushing material giving rough feel, grips that spin on the handle...stuff like that. Just cheap, junk construction and materials that feels and works like cheap junk. I hate it, but the cost tradeoff for my small, occasional projects and periodic needs keeps me going back, because I'm not financially well-endowed. I do get Snap-On tools through an auto tech buddy, and for some basic tools which I always use, like the ratcheting bit driver, they're a real pleasure to have and use. I buy HF tools knowing using them is going to be frustrating.

As far as the air tool in question. 6 vs 60. I would probably get the hf and see if it works compare the gauge to your compressor. I don't have tubeless how often do you need to seal the tire if you keep up with the pressure before each ride? If this us only when you get new tires I would go cheap.

That being said the prestas Schrader adapter is $1 at any lbs

Actually, HF torque wrenches work well, but are rarely calibrated out of the box. We used to buy them by the dozen at work, and while out of the box they varied by ±20%, once calibrated, they held well.

:foo:

Try using a little diluted dish detergent on the bead of the tire. I have an old Nashbar floor pump and a Bell floor pump with a dedicated presta head. Either one would inflate a 700C X 23 to rock hard which should be enough to seat any tire.

I have never had tubeless bike tires but in my limited experience setting tubeless tires (a wheel barrel) it us a volume issue not a max psi.

Just bite the bullet and buy a Park Tool inflator if you have/use a compressor. Life will become joyful again soon as the upfront cost fades from memory. In my case that took about a day and a half.

Right here-> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018TVL4Z6/

Great for both road and cyclocross; the gauge is accurate at both low and high pressure, AND, the best part, is that it works fast and easy with both Presta and Schrader. Don't even have to close the paddle on Presta; just hold it on the valve with one hand and operate the inflation lever with the other.

If I'm using my compressor to fill my tires, I use one of the screw on adapters, and set my regulator to the pressure I want. When it stops taking air, I'm done.

Oooh, I like that! I didn't know about it, but now I want it!

Anyonewant to buy a Prestaflator?!

EDIT: No, I REALLY want that!

Digital gauge sounds nice until a dead battery when needed sends me into a rage!

The dual heads on this and the Park are nice, too; they still can be used as blowers, right? Does the Park have a blower tip fitting?