Tyre Pressures/Checking etc
Tyre Pressures/Checking etc
Author
Discussion

Ben Jk

Original Poster:

1,714 posts

195 months

Saturday 17th September 2011
quotequote all
Got an adaptor so I can use my car foot pump to inflate bike tyres.

But will the pressure reading be accurate?

Reason I ask, at 70PSI the footpump started struggling and bending under the strain. Couldn't get any more into the tyres? Suggested pressure is 80-115 psi!!!?

Am I doing something wrong?

anonymous-user

83 months

Saturday 17th September 2011
quotequote all
foot pumps arent the best for road tyres as they are only really designed for car tyres and thus accurate to 30-40psi. i wouldnt trust the guage on one over 50psi to be honest. i appreciate its more outlay but a good track pump like the joe blow max is about £25-£30 and well worth the money.

snotrag

15,629 posts

240 months

Sunday 18th September 2011
quotequote all
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

Excellent track pump, ten quid. Sorted!

Paul Drawmer

5,153 posts

296 months

Sunday 18th September 2011
quotequote all
snotrag said:
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

Excellent track pump, ten quid. Sorted!
Excellent indeed.
Trouble is I paid £25 for it from Halfords. bugger.

Mars

10,089 posts

243 months

Sunday 18th September 2011
quotequote all
Foot pumps have wide cylinders and short pistons... great for low pressure high volume but exactly the opposite for low volume high pressure.

Stirrup pumps are right for bikes, and will have a gauge that is more accurate in the range required. Get an aluminium cyclinder one though - some places sell plastic ones which, when they get hot in use, tend to sieze. I have a really cheapo ali from Ebay for a tenner which is perfect and has both valve types.