Maybe I shouldn't have, but I did - was I wrong???

[Ac]

Bought a 'good value' track type pump from Lidls (ok, ok I
know...) £2.99

Claimed would fit presta valves (ie non-car type)

Did anyone else buy one - 'cos if they did ,can they explain
how the small brass adapter works. Screwed it onto valve
then put end of air line onto adaptor - pressed down the
lever to lock it, but it does not push down the valve stem
and allow air into the tube

I *thought* it was good value - maybe it was just *cheap*!!!

Any info appreciated

--
Cheers

AC

[Roos Eisma]

"AC" <mitten@removenildram.co.uk> writes:

>Bought a 'good value' track type pump from Lidls (ok, ok I
>know...) £2.99

>Claimed would fit presta valves (ie non-car type)

>Did anyone else buy one - 'cos if they did ,can they
>explain how the small brass adapter works. Screwed it onto
>valve then put end of air line onto adaptor - pressed down
>the lever to lock it, but it does not push down the valve
>stem and allow air into the tube

If it is the same sort of brass adaptor I have at home:
unscrew small thingy on presta valve (so if you push on it
the air comes out, often good to do that briefly). Then
screw on adaptor, and clamp on pump. Pump.

Roos

[Peter Clinch]

Roos Eisma wrote:

> If it is the same sort of brass adaptor I have at home:
> unscrew small thingy on presta valve (so if you push on it
> the air comes out, often good to do that briefly). Then
> screw on adaptor, and clamp on pump. Pump.

Some can be temperamental, and let more out than they put
back in. The Presta converters are a common item, so maybe
try another from your LBS before giving up. Different
adapters seem to change the probability of letting your
tyres down rather than pumping them up.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext.
33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177
Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

[Simon D]

"AC" <mitten@removenildram.co.uk> wrote in message
news:407fc9a8$0$95317$65c69314@mercury.nildram.net...
> Bought a 'good value' track type pump from Lidls (ok, ok I
> know...) £2.99
>
> Claimed would fit presta valves (ie non-car type)
>
> Did anyone else buy one - 'cos if they did ,can they
> explain how the small brass adapter works. Screwed it onto
> valve then put end of air line onto adaptor - pressed down
> the lever to lock it, but it does not push down the valve
> stem and allow air into the tube
>
> I *thought* it was good value - maybe it was just
> *cheap*!!!
>
> Any info appreciated
>
> --
> Cheers
>
> AC
>

The other respondents have (quite possibly correctly)
assumed that you're using Presta valves (narrow, with the
small nut which unscrews from the top). If you are, their
advice should help you. The air pressure should be enough
to open the valve with each stroke, and you need to make
sure that the valve locknut is undone, and that the valve
can open / close easily (press it briefly before attaching
the adaptor).

If you're using Schaeder valves (like car valves), then
get another adaptor. I've come across a few which don't
depress the valve, and there's no way you'll ever get one
of these to work.

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[Ac]

Thanks to all for the advice

Seems adapter was ok - I thought it wasn't as the pressure
gauge showed zero - however it only works when pumping air
into the tyre ie not a constant read out

Cheers

[Pete Biggs]

AC wrote:
> Seems adapter was ok - I thought it wasn't as the pressure
> gauge showed zero - however it only works when pumping air
> into the tyre ie not a constant read out

It should give a constant readout. I suspect your getting
leakage somewhere, which is typical with adapters.

~PB

[Pete Biggs]

AC wrote:
> Bought a 'good value' track type pump from Lidls (ok, ok I
> know...) £2.99
>
> Claimed would fit presta valves (ie non-car type)
>
> Did anyone else buy one - 'cos if they did ,can they
> explain how the small brass adapter works. Screwed it onto
> valve then put end of air line onto adaptor - pressed down
> the lever to lock it, but it does not push down the valve
> stem and allow air into the tube

That's not how presta valves work. The valve core is only
pressed to release air, nothing normally depresses it. Air
is forces its way through the valve when pumped.

For Prestas:
1. Unscrew knurled nut.
2. Give valve a quick press to unstick it (will release
some air).
3. Fit adapter if required.
4. Fit pump and inflate.

I don't know Lidl pumps but most normal little brass
Shrader to Presta adapters are rubbish beacuse they don't
fit well and leak. Either use a pump designed to work
directly with prestas or get a better adapter with an 'O'
ring (these are also good to carry for ermergencies for use
with garage air lines).

> I *thought* it was good value - maybe it was just
> *cheap*!!!

I dunno how good it is but I wouldn't expect much at all for
£2.99. That's a silly price if ever there was one. It's
worth paying ten times that for a pump that will inflate
with ease and last decades.

~PB

[Pete Biggs]

Pete Biggs wrote:
> AC wrote:
>> Seems adapter was ok - I thought it wasn't as the
>> pressure gauge showed zero - however it only works when
>> pumping air into the tyre ie not a constant read out
>
> It should give a constant readout. I suspect your getting
> leakage somewhere, which is typical with adapters.

On second thoughts, I don't think my replies are entirely
correct, sorry.

You would only get a constant readout, or at least an
initial readout if the valve was pressed. I think some pumps
must do this afterall as I get an initial and constant
reading when using Silca and Topeak Smarthead chucks. I
don't think it's essential, though. I can't see how some
basic pump heads could depress the valve.

Pressure in hose or inside pump/gauge might have something
to do with it as well.

~PB

[Sandy Morton]

In article <c5okob$ap$1@dux.dundee.ac.uk>, Peter Clinch
<p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk> wrote:
> The Presta converters are a common item, so maybe try
> another from your LBS before giving up. Different adapters
> seem to change the probability of letting your tyres down
> rather than pumping them up.

Commercial ones are, IMVHO, far too short. I made my own
from hex brass and they are about an inch long - never had
a failure.

--
A T (Sandy) Morton on the Bicycle Island In the Global
Village http://www.millport.net (http://www.millport.net/)