Bike Pump Problem

[Region3]

No doubt this is me doing something wrong, but if somebody could point out where I'm being an eejit I'd be very grateful

I have a mountain bike with presta valves.

My pump will work with presta and schrader valves, and I've followed the instructions to arrange the innards in the head to work with presta valves.

The pump has a lever to lock the head to the valve, but when I flip it it feels like it's blocked somewhere, no air will go in to the tyre and I can't pump the handle.

If I don't flip the lock I can pump air in but have to hold the head in place to prevent air coming out.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

[AmandaJR]

I'm assuming you've opened the valve?

If so try pressing with your finger to let air out and try again. Could be the valve is too long for your pump?

 

[bluewolf]

I'm assuming you've opened the valve?

Please let this be the answer

 

[AmandaJR]

Please let this be the answer

Naughty

 

[Region3]

I've opened the valve

Air goes in with me holding the head of the pump on the valve. Flip the lever to lock it and it's like trying to pump with your finger over the end (or with the valve screwed up )

 

[pokerjoke]

Hi mate what make is the pump.
I have had this problem and I know mate how frustrating this is,however it was my fault.
I had the pump set up properly but depending on the make and model and it could be the same
problem.
I will check if mines the same.
Don't forget to only lock the pump when it is fully engaged.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

What pump are you using? Is it on that you can do both types of valves?
It might be the lever is the other way round so you need to lock it the other way round

 

[Region3]

It's this one.

http://www.topeak.com/products/pumps/turbomorphg

I thought about the lever being the other way round, but it definitely takes effort to lift it up, then snaps back down with only a little help.

 

[SaintHacker]

Presta valves can be a bit temperamental to say the least. Sounds to me like the problem is that the pump nozzle isn't on dead straight so it effectively closes the valve when you pump air in. I've had a few different pumps over the years and had this problem with most of them, not a lot you can do about it, its just a poorly designed valve. Try locking it on and holding it with one hand, you should find you can get air in that way.

 

[pokerjoke]

I have not now but my last pump was very similar.
As has been said with this type of pump you cant really get it wrong on set up as
they only fit and can be done up the 2 ways its supposed to.
You have to make sure the connection is pushed down completely with no
twisting or bend in the tube.
Only push and lock the clip when secure to lock in place.
Once you get it mate make sure you remember how you did it because with this type
of pump can be frustrating.

 

[Region3]

Thanks all.

Sounds like it's just a case of seating the head over the valve more carefully then to make sure it's on dead straight. I probably wan't pushing it down far enough either.

I got the pump Xmas 2013 and it's the first time I've tried to use it. That says more about how often I use my bike than how often the tyres need air in them!

 

[Region3]

Once you get it mate make sure you remember how you did it because with this type
of pump can be frustrating.

Even more frustrating when I've just pumped my daughter's tyres up from flat and my weedy arm feels like it's about to fall off!

 

[sev112]

Even more frustrating when I've just pumped my daughter's tyres up from flat and my weedy arm feels like it's about to fall off!

You only want to use these types of pump for emergency on the road jobs. If at home, you'd be much more grateful for getting a "track" pump, gets the job done almost immediately.