Aaaaarrrrrgh, tyre pressures!

[stageonesimmo]

Well, thats what I think every time I go to the petrol station to get mine sorted. I can never get the infator hose through the spokes and onto the valve, especially at the rear as the valve stem is very short on my rear wheel so its always a right faff on and I hate doing it..............

Well not now I dont cos I use one of these:

link to photo in gallery cos I cant seem to get it to work here!

Its a double-ended schreader valve extension flexi-pipe from a military land-rover and its used to enable the spare wheel (which is fitted on its mount backwards)pressure to be checked/adjusted. Its the same as many twin-wheel HGV use and so should be readily available in any large tyre place for not much money.

I've used it already and can confirm it works a treat and the pressure loss on taking it off the valve is negligable according to my digital pressure gauge. It lives in my bar bag along with my paint-brush-handle-chain-tension-checker.

So, whilst not exactly a bodge, it is taking something existing and using it for something else, in a way, sort of.

[Steve C]

I do all my tyre pressure checks and top ups at home with a foot pump for exactly this reason Stageonesimmo

So




Do I have to join the army to get one?

[Zenarchy]

That's a great idea. It's always annoying trying to get to the valve even with my foot pump because of the shape of the head (never seems to be in the easiest place when you stop by chance either).

I spotted some angled valve heads on ebay the other day. You screw them in and I think leave them in place - though the thought of a sticky out bit of metal whizzing around with the wheel put me off a bit. Like these (but the ones I was looking at were a little cheaper I think and came in pairs):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gold-90-degree...QQcmdZViewItem

Your extension looks like a good compromise and small enough to stick in the toolbox, and will extend the foot pump lead as well which is handy

[stageonesimmo]

I'm in the process of tracking some down (that I dont have to 'liberate' from work) - mine is made by the fat white bloke so should be decent quality so if I find an outlet for them I'll post it up on here.

In the mean time, Steve, no you dont I may still be able to get my hands a couple of, ahem, 'spare ones' ...........................

I've seen the bits you're on about Zen but after I realised I had solved it for nowt. I'm not a big fan of clagging more than necessary on the wheels and I like the idea of it just being small and handy but more importantly, free.

[Steve C]

...snip...
In the mean time, Steve, no you dont I may still be able to get my hands a couple of, ahem, 'spare ones' ...........................

[davsato]

I never trust garage pumps, i saw something that surveyed them and some were 14psi out!!
i also use a footpump at home, and measure with a digital guage i had tested at work. then i can use the same guage even if i have to use a different pump somewhere

[fatowl]

I have a short (about 2 inches) right angle adapter. I carry it with me. it was about £2.50 from my local bike shop. I don't leave it on the wheel (I think they intended you to), but put it on when I want to use it.

[stageonesimmo]

I dont normally use the garage, I use the calibrated air-line at work in conjunction with my digital gauge but even then as the line at work is a rigid one it's a pain to get on the valves. Even at home where I use my mountian bike 'stirrup' pump, I still have problems, hence the use of the hose. Plus this is usefull when out and about on long trips when I would have to rely on garages, which is how my brain tends to work - in 'think ahead' mode............

[Zenarchy]

I've seen the bits you're on about Zen but after I realised I had solved it for nowt. I'm not a big fan of clagging more than necessary on the wheels and I like the idea of it just being small and handy but more importantly, free.

I only came across them by accident the other day myself when looking for something else.

I was tempted, but like you, I was put of a bit by the idea of having it stuck on the wheel permanently and sticking out like it does. Probably worrying about nothing, but I had visions of it getting caught on something when moving or getting a finger trapped or something if I forgot about them while I'm working on the bike.

Your extension seems like a pretty good compromise I think. Plus it means that little bit of extra length on the foot pump hose as well (which never seems to be long enough), and no messing around trying to clamp the head on and spokes etc. getting in the way.

[Zanzibar]

I tried a valve extension and found there was a slow leak. So I got the tube and clip-on bit from an old foot pump and stuffed a valve in the other end. Stays in the bike tool box under the seat. S'lovely.

In France this problem doesnt arise cos they have civilised airline fittings - AND they dont have the cheek to ask for money. Greedy rosbifs.