what is this???
 

so i got a new back wheel from my lbs and this morning on my way to work i decided my tires could use a little air. i went to the gas station by my apt and filled up my front tire as usual but when i went to fill the back tire the valve was different then any thing i have seen before. there was no way i could fill it up at the gas station witch was kind of annoying because if i need air somewhere i am pretty much sol. any way here is a picture of what the valve looks like. i think it is called a presta valve but I am not quite. could someone help me get some damn air in my tire, or at least point me in the right direction to learn how to fill this kind of valve up with air.

thanks.

also is there any sort of benefit to this kind of valve. what is the deal with this?

It's called a Presta valve. You are used to the Schraeder valve, which is also used on bicycle tubes. I personally prefer Presta, but I don't have any particular reason for my preference. I don't leave home without a spare tube, pump, and any tools I need to change my tires.

does any one no where i could get a pump that will fill both...possibly portable??

any LBS

Just keep your old pump and get one of these from your lbs:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Adaptors.aspx

The best portable pump I've ever used is the Topeak Road Morph, but the whole Topeak Morph series is supposed to be tits.

thanks guys very helpful as usual

how could you not know o_o

funny, when u first showed up here u asked questions that made us say the same thing...:lol:

It's A Demon!

Back, Foul Hell Spawn, Back!

On The Pyre With That Tyre!

Can a gas station compressor adequately fill bicycle tires? They're made to take car tires up to ~60 psi (or so, give or take, YMMV, whatever), while bike tires need to get above 100. Do those compressors put that much pressure into a bike tire? (I've never tried...)

^ the only tires that need to get above 100 are small road tires. fatter hybrid/commuter tires tend to take lower pressures, and pretty much all mtb tires run a much lower pressure.

I've got Presta valves and I just keep a little adaptor I picked up at my LBS for two dollars on my key ring.. you can even keep it on the valve if you want.

I used to do it as a kid, but I don't know how much pressure i was actually putting into it, i was like 12 and didn't know anything about bikes beyond what a normal 12 year old would know.

Though my friend who doesn't own a bike pump just keeps a presta adapter in his bag and fills up at BP when he needs air.

I just keep the adaptor on the valve. Car tires may need lower PSI, but keep in mind the great weight atop them. Those compressors are definitely sufficient.

truth!
but i forgot what my question was
maybe its about presta valve too:o lol

You're not going to get 120PSI out of a gas station pump, but you can probably get 70 or 80.

I used to keep an adapter on my valve stem, until someone stole it. Seriously, who steals an adapter?

:lol:

the same people who loosen quick release wheels while you buy groceries.

I like the prestas better because if they are put on correctly you have the nut that keeps the valve from going into the rim making it harder to pump up with air. I run them on my mtb and my fixed gear. I will not go back to the schraeder valve. Also when you have to change a tube its easier to let the air out on a presta valve.

Doesn't make sense, PSI is PSI

I am wary of using air from gas stations and such. I'm a stickler for getting the right pressure in my tires.

I'm not a scientist, but I'm pretty sure 50psi is 50psi, regardless of whether you're lifting 20 pounds or 2000 pounds.

If the gas station pumps don't go above a certain PSI, I doubt they'll work.

For the OP - Presta valves are typically on higher-end bicycle tubes. I prefer them.

I use Presta because I find they leak a lot less than Schraeder valves do.