Can you get a Presta-to-Schrader valve converter that works?
Discussion
Can you get a converter that allows you to pump up Presta valve tubes with a normal car pump which actually works? I've used the little brass ones which are threaded on both sides on my mountain bike before and never got them to seal properly.
My road (hybrid) bike has got a regular Schrader valve and it's so much more convenient. I just plug a (far more powerful) foot pump straight in and even have a pressure gauge. The mtb hand pump takes some serious effort to get to any sort of pressure and you only have the 'squidge test' to determine the correct pressure.
My road (hybrid) bike has got a regular Schrader valve and it's so much more convenient. I just plug a (far more powerful) foot pump straight in and even have a pressure gauge. The mtb hand pump takes some serious effort to get to any sort of pressure and you only have the 'squidge test' to determine the correct pressure.
Chris71 said:
Can you get a converter that allows you to pump up Presta valve tubes with a normal car pump which actually works? I've used the little brass ones which are threaded on both sides on my mountain bike before and never got them to seal properly.
My road (hybrid) bike has got a regular Schrader valve and it's so much more convenient. I just plug a (far more powerful) foot pump straight in and even have a pressure gauge. The mtb hand pump takes some serious effort to get to any sort of pressure and you only have the 'squidge test' to determine the correct pressure.
I couldn't say, but I had same issue years ago and splashed out about £20 on a big barrel track pump that fits both types of valves and never looked back. Well worth the dough imo.My road (hybrid) bike has got a regular Schrader valve and it's so much more convenient. I just plug a (far more powerful) foot pump straight in and even have a pressure gauge. The mtb hand pump takes some serious effort to get to any sort of pressure and you only have the 'squidge test' to determine the correct pressure.
Agreed with the above.
i used to use an electric 12v Schrader valve pump with a gauge. Then my new bike arrived with presta valves, all i had was a mini pump and the 'squidge test'. I started to feel the squidgy tyres were impeding my movement so thought sod it ill buy a track pump. £25 quid down, i found my tyres to be less then 20PSI, eight pumps later 55PSI. and now i got a useful bit of kit i can use time and time again.
i used to use an electric 12v Schrader valve pump with a gauge. Then my new bike arrived with presta valves, all i had was a mini pump and the 'squidge test'. I started to feel the squidgy tyres were impeding my movement so thought sod it ill buy a track pump. £25 quid down, i found my tyres to be less then 20PSI, eight pumps later 55PSI. and now i got a useful bit of kit i can use time and time again.
Thanks. Think I'm going to go for a Topeak Joe Blow Max II:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topeak_Joe_Blow_...
...And not just because it has a mildly amusing name. Seems to be thought of as the best of the budget models?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topeak_Joe_Blow_...
...And not just because it has a mildly amusing name. Seems to be thought of as the best of the budget models?
Chris71 said:
Thanks. Think I'm going to go for a Topeak Joe Blow Max II:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topeak_Joe_Blow_...
...And not just because it has a mildly amusing name. Seems to be thought of as the best of the budget models?
Have a look on Evans Cycles, I think there's a slightly cheaper (free delivery too) Specialized branded, or Bontrager one. (I have it but can't remember it!!!) Gets amazing reviews as well.http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topeak_Joe_Blow_...
...And not just because it has a mildly amusing name. Seems to be thought of as the best of the budget models?
Doh! Just had a spending accident on Wiggle. Ah well.
On an O/T note... Camelbacks. I've just noticed how unbelievably scummy the drinking tube on my resevoir is. There's some sort of black moldy ick encrusted on the inside which I've been blissfully unaware of until now. I take it my newly-acquired (soon to be delivered!) Camelback cleaning kit will return it to a more palatable state and I don't need to throw it away or anything? To be fair it still tastes okay and it's yet to poison me, but given the state I've just noticed it's in I'm quite surprised.
On an O/T note... Camelbacks. I've just noticed how unbelievably scummy the drinking tube on my resevoir is. There's some sort of black moldy ick encrusted on the inside which I've been blissfully unaware of until now. I take it my newly-acquired (soon to be delivered!) Camelback cleaning kit will return it to a more palatable state and I don't need to throw it away or anything? To be fair it still tastes okay and it's yet to poison me, but given the state I've just noticed it's in I'm quite surprised.
Track pump miles better than footpump and you'll never have valve annoyances again.
I use sterilising tablets (for babies bottles) to clean my camelback out occasionally.
Fill camelback with hot water, wang 4 or 5 tablets in, shake it up and let some flow through the valve and leave for a while.
Never put it away full of water - when you get back rinse it out and I stick a (clean) empty glass milk bottle in it to keep it open and allow the inside to dry.
I use sterilising tablets (for babies bottles) to clean my camelback out occasionally.
Fill camelback with hot water, wang 4 or 5 tablets in, shake it up and let some flow through the valve and leave for a while.
Never put it away full of water - when you get back rinse it out and I stick a (clean) empty glass milk bottle in it to keep it open and allow the inside to dry.
m_cozzy said:
I keep mine in the freezer now, stops it getting nasty.
That's a neat solution. Doesn't it cause the plastic to go brittle over time.
Speaking of the cold, I might need to invest in some thermal insulation! I take my Camelbak skiing (with fairly predictable results) but more surprisingly I also found the water in the tube (cooled by the airflow...) freezing up while riding to work last winter.
was8v said:
Track pump miles better than footpump and you'll never have valve annoyances again.
Not entirely though. The Joe Blow dual headed end. Does have a habit of bending the "middle-bit-you-wind-out" on presta valves. Mine finaly snapped off on sunday 1 hour before getting in the water. Was OK as it snapped off cleanly, so I can still inflate it for now.Chris71 said:
m_cozzy said:
I keep mine in the freezer now, stops it getting nasty.
That's a neat solution. Doesn't it cause the plastic to go brittle over time.
Speaking of the cold, I might need to invest in some thermal insulation! I take my Camelbak skiing (with fairly predictable results) but more surprisingly I also found the water in the tube (cooled by the airflow...) freezing up while riding to work last winter.
dubbs said:
Chris71 said:
m_cozzy said:
I keep mine in the freezer now, stops it getting nasty.
.... I also found the water in the tube (cooled by the airflow...) freezing up while riding to work last winter.Erm, on a different (but valve-related) note, I suceeded in buying a job-lot of tyres with Presta valves for my road bike some time ago, only to rememver its rims are drilled for Schrader valves. I haven't tried, but I'm guessing the nut you get with Presta valves will be wide enough to hold them in place - is there any reason not to swap to Presta valve tubes? (Now my nice shiny track pump has arrived!)
m_cozzy said:
Get a gear change cable, wrap a wet kitchen towel around the nipple end & pull this through the camelbak tube. Try not to throw up when the towel comes out covered in what looks like seaweed.
I keep mine in the freezer now, stops it getting nasty.
I always thought mine stayed clean, then I pulled the rubber mouthpiece off and looked inside I keep mine in the freezer now, stops it getting nasty.
"Hmm what's that black plastic in there.. seems a bit shiny.. (pokes, squidge) OH GOD NO"
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