Can't seem to get my bikehut pump to work with my presta valves...



G

Get_Army

Guest
Hi,

I was recently bought a Bikehut track pump, this one in fact ...

http://tinyurl.com/3d3btv

and it claims to have a 'clever valve' which will automatically adjust
to either presta or schrader through it's lever action.

It had no instructions printed on it's packaging and I can't figure
out how to get the lever action 'clever valve' to operate with my
presta valves. What happens is this:

1. I unscrew the dust cap and presta valve nut thing.

2. I offer up the 'clever valve' to the presta valve so that it is
'on' just far enough so that it doesn't press in the valve bit, i.e.
it is going to try to grip the narrow threaded bit.

3. I pull the lever to tighten the connection and let go.

4. The 'clever valve' pump bit falls off and onto the floor.

5. I decide that the pump connector wasn't 'on' far enough and offer
it up again, but this time I push it on a bit further.

6. All the air falls out of my tire :-(

7. I screw into place my presta->schrader adapter and pump up the
tire from flat.

Whilst using the adapter works, it is a PITA. I have tried unscrewing
the end of the 'clever valve' and turning around the rubber insert but
that doesn't seem to make any difference.

Can anyone help?


Thanks

Mike
 
Get_Army <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I was recently bought a Bikehut track pump, this one in fact ...
>
> http://tinyurl.com/3d3btv
>
> and it claims to have a 'clever valve' which will automatically adjust
> to either presta or schrader through it's lever action.
>
> It had no instructions printed on it's packaging and I can't figure
> out how to get the lever action 'clever valve' to operate with my
> presta valves. What happens is this:
>

snip 7 nummbers of woe
>
> Whilst using the adapter works, it is a PITA. I have tried unscrewing
> the end of the 'clever valve' and turning around the rubber insert but
> that doesn't seem to make any difference.
>
> Can anyone help?
>
>

to be honest return not fit for purpose. as it's not doing it's job.

> Thanks
>
> Mike


roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com
 
Get_Army wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I was recently bought a Bikehut track pump, this one in fact ...
>
> http://tinyurl.com/3d3btv
>
> and it claims to have a 'clever valve' which will automatically adjust
> to either presta or schrader through it's lever action.
>
> It had no instructions printed on it's packaging and I can't figure
> out how to get the lever action 'clever valve' to operate with my
> presta valves. What happens is this:



Like others, I'd take it back and ask to be shown how to work it, or ask for
a refund as its not fit for purpose.


I've not seen a pump valve which works both types without some adjustment.
That's not to say its impossible.

I have seen two main types of adjustment:

a) The common one: Undo retainer ring. Take the rubber bit out, turn it over
(and the Schrader pusher pin). Reassemble.
All my frame and mini pumps use this method.

b) Less common: slider on head which moves either a Schrader or Presta
fitting into position.
My old track pump has this.




- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/
 
"vernon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Get_Army" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>> Can anyone help?
>>
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Mike

>
> Have you considered taking it back and asking for a demo?
>


.... yes, but I had the misfortunate to split a tyre on a tour and was forced
(it was Sunday) to limp to Halfrods in Folkestone to buy one .. amazingly
they had a Schwalbe Marathon in stock (although one size bigger)

The really funny thing was when I asked the (only) boy in the Bike Hut dept
if I could use their track pump ... firstly he didn't know what I was
talking about, and when I pointed to it he obviously had no clue about what
you did with it !!!!!!!!!!! Abandon hope all ye who enter here. (The
upside was that it was Joe Blow and got the tube up to pressure way quicker
than my mini-pump)

RG
 
in message <[email protected]>, Nigel Cliffe
('[email protected]') wrote:

> Get_Army wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I was recently bought a Bikehut track pump, this one in fact ...
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/3d3btv
>>
>> and it claims to have a 'clever valve' which will automatically adjust
>> to either presta or schrader through it's lever action.
>>
>> It had no instructions printed on it's packaging and I can't figure
>> out how to get the lever action 'clever valve' to operate with my
>> presta valves. What happens is this:

>
>
> Like others, I'd take it back and ask to be shown how to work it, or ask
> for a refund as its not fit for purpose.
>
>
> I've not seen a pump valve which works both types without some
> adjustment. That's not to say its impossible.


Spesh Air Tool. Really does work reliably for pressures up to 130psi and
continues to do so after three years. I have an older, cheaper, plastic
track pump that used to when it was new and now will on a good day up to
about 80psi. On the whole if I was buying another I'd get one which either
had to be adapted or else fitted Presta only, since I only use Presta
tubes; but the Air Tool definitely works well.

--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; better than your average performing pineapple
 
In article <[email protected]>, Nigel Cliffe wrote:
>I've not seen a pump valve which works both types without some adjustment.
>That's not to say its impossible.


I have one of these (Topeak SmartHead), which _mostly_ manages it:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?ProdID=4000000128

It seems to struggle with car type valves until the tyre is partially
inflated though. Since there's a footpump next to it in the shed that
does high volume low pressure with car valves better, this isn't a
major problem, but the lever type the pump came with was probably better
(but I gave that to work, to replace the "dismantle it and switch bits
over" head that pump had).
 
"Get_Army" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I was recently bought a Bikehut track pump, this one in fact ...
>
> http://tinyurl.com/3d3btv
>
> and it claims to have a 'clever valve' which will automatically adjust
> to either presta or schrader through it's lever action.
>


I had a problem with a Zefal mini pump that I bought from Parkers, each time
I locked it with the lever it pushed itself off the presta valve stem, which
it was supposed to work with. I took it straight back and exchanged it.

David Lloyd
 
Get_Army wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I was recently bought a Bikehut track pump, this one in fact ...
>
> http://tinyurl.com/3d3btv
>
> and it claims to have a 'clever valve' which will automatically adjust
> to either presta or schrader through it's lever action.
>
> It had no instructions printed on it's packaging and I can't figure
> out how to get the lever action 'clever valve' to operate with my
> presta valves. What happens is this:
>
> 1. I unscrew the dust cap and presta valve nut thing.
>
> 2. I offer up the 'clever valve' to the presta valve so that it is
> 'on' just far enough so that it doesn't press in the valve bit, i.e.
> it is going to try to grip the narrow threaded bit.
>
> 3. I pull the lever to tighten the connection and let go.
>
> 4. The 'clever valve' pump bit falls off and onto the floor.
>
> 5. I decide that the pump connector wasn't 'on' far enough and offer
> it up again, but this time I push it on a bit further.
>
> 6. All the air falls out of my tire :-(
>
> 7. I screw into place my presta->schrader adapter and pump up the
> tire from flat.
>
> Whilst using the adapter works, it is a PITA. I have tried unscrewing
> the end of the 'clever valve' and turning around the rubber insert but
> that doesn't seem to make any difference.


FWIW, I have exactly the same pump and it works perfectly. The one
thing on your list I don't understand is no. 6. (it shouldn't happen
:) ) I wonder how far you're unscrewing the valve at 1. and how hard
you're pushing on the connector?

Probably best to return it for replacement.

--
Brian G
www.wetwo.co.uk
 
<Sorry if you get this more than once: struggling with Google Groups>

On Jul 18, 8:02 am, "Nigel Cliffe" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I have seen two main types of adjustment:
>
> a) The common one: Undo retainer ring. Take the rubber bit out, turn it over
> (and the Schrader pusher pin). Reassemble.
> All my frame and mini pumps use this method.
>
> b) Less common: slider on head which moves either a Schrader or Presta
> fitting into position.
> My old track pump has this.



I've seen A, but never B. My track pump has two holes in the one
head: one for each valve type. Is this common?

BTW, where can I get a good pump for Woods valves? My Raleigh Sports
really could do with better pressure in the tyres.

PhilD

--
<><
 
On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 19:54:07 +0100, Brian G <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Get_Army wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I was recently bought a Bikehut track pump, this one in fact ...
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/3d3btv
>>
>> and it claims to have a 'clever valve' which will automatically adjust
>> to either presta or schrader through it's lever action.
>>
>> It had no instructions printed on it's packaging and I can't figure
>> out how to get the lever action 'clever valve' to operate with my
>> presta valves. What happens is this:
>>
>> 1. I unscrew the dust cap and presta valve nut thing.
>>
>> 2. I offer up the 'clever valve' to the presta valve so that it is
>> 'on' just far enough so that it doesn't press in the valve bit, i.e.
>> it is going to try to grip the narrow threaded bit.
>>
>> 3. I pull the lever to tighten the connection and let go.
>>
>> 4. The 'clever valve' pump bit falls off and onto the floor.
>>
>> 5. I decide that the pump connector wasn't 'on' far enough and offer
>> it up again, but this time I push it on a bit further.
>>
>> 6. All the air falls out of my tire :-(
>>
>> 7. I screw into place my presta->schrader adapter and pump up the
>> tire from flat.
>>
>> Whilst using the adapter works, it is a PITA. I have tried unscrewing
>> the end of the 'clever valve' and turning around the rubber insert but
>> that doesn't seem to make any difference.

>
>FWIW, I have exactly the same pump and it works perfectly. The one
>thing on your list I don't understand is no. 6. (it shouldn't happen
>:) ) I wonder how far you're unscrewing the valve at 1. and how hard
>you're pushing on the connector?
>
>Probably best to return it for replacement.


Thanks for all the replies guys,

I think I have figured it out now. I simply wasn't pushing the valve
into the connector hard enough. The 'schrader push pin' is spring
loaded and pushes back quite a way. Initially, when you push the
connector on, there is quite a rush of air from the tire (this is
point to which I was getting before). However, if you push harder
then the valve enters the connector further (by pushing against the
spring loaded pin) and reaches an area where the rubber grip smothers
the airflow enough that you can tighten the lever. So the trick is to
push it on firmly and quickly.

I find this works well now on my back tire and makes an airtight seal.
On my front tire (which has a different make of inner tube) I find
that even with the lever tightened fully, I still get a bit of air
leakage, but it's not enough to bother me.

Brian, do you fully unscrew the presta nut at 1?

Thanks again.

Mike
 
Get_Army wrote:

> Thanks for all the replies guys,
>
> I think I have figured it out now. I simply wasn't pushing the valve
> into the connector hard enough. The 'schrader push pin' is spring
> loaded and pushes back quite a way. Initially, when you push the
> connector on, there is quite a rush of air from the tire (this is
> point to which I was getting before). However, if you push harder
> then the valve enters the connector further (by pushing against the
> spring loaded pin) and reaches an area where the rubber grip smothers
> the airflow enough that you can tighten the lever. So the trick is to
> push it on firmly and quickly.
>
> I find this works well now on my back tire and makes an airtight seal.
> On my front tire (which has a different make of inner tube) I find
> that even with the lever tightened fully, I still get a bit of air
> leakage, but it's not enough to bother me.
>
> Brian, do you fully unscrew the presta nut at 1?


All you need do is unscrew the nut two or three turns and press the
valve down with your finger. If air escapes at high pressure, you're
ready to attach the connector. If not, turn it a little further and try
again. Like you, I find I then have to press the connector on to the
valve quite firmly before locking it on. BTW, don't be like me and
sometimes forget to tighten up the valve once you're done!

--
Brian G
www.wetwo.co.uk
 
In article <[email protected]>,
PhilD
[email protected] says...

> BTW, where can I get a good pump for Woods valves? My Raleigh Sports
> really could do with better pressure in the tyres.
>

Have you fitted sprung valves instead of the rubber sleeve type? They
make it a lot easier to get air in the tyre. Then just use a Schraeder
adapter and any good Schraeder pump.
 

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