Presta on a MTB?
Author
Discussion

t84

Original Poster:

6,941 posts

224 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
My girlfriend has a Scott Contessa MTB, which has Presta valves on the tyres, I was just wondering if it's possible to buy an adaptor for a footpump that converts Presta to Schraeder at all or am I going to have to buy a new pump?

Thanks!

Lord Pikey

3,258 posts

245 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
Yes, most bikes shops or Halfords should stock them.

just ask for a presta to schra***....(car type) adapter.

jesta1865

3,453 posts

239 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
most decent bike pumps can be converted by switching a couple of bits round. my specialised stirrup pump can do both by unscrewing the end, flipping the rubber and a plastic bit and then screwed back up.

i have to say though i always try and have the car type on the bikes in case i have to use a pump in a garage.

t84

Original Poster:

6,941 posts

224 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
I'm looking at converting a foot pump though smile

jesta1865

3,453 posts

239 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
sorry mate didn't register what type, because i hold mine in position with my feet i thought you meant one like mine, you mean the old car foldy up type don't you?

halfords should have something i would suspect

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

would that do it, you could stick the pump end in and it should seal?

ratbane

1,395 posts

246 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
..or change the tubes to schrader.

P-Jay

11,410 posts

221 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
Yeah they're about 50p, but a bit of a fiddle to use.

Tesco do a pretty passable track pump for £12.

t84

Original Poster:

6,941 posts

224 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
Don't you have to drill the rims out?

Chris71

21,549 posts

272 months

Monday 17th May 2010
quotequote all
t84 said:
Don't you have to drill the rims out?
Usually, yes.

Coincidentally I've never found the threaded brass adaptors seal very well. Personally I just use a hand pump with a Presta head on it.

JuniorD

9,013 posts

253 months

Tuesday 18th May 2010
quotequote all
Lots of track pumps come with a dual head that fits presta in one hole and shreader on the other. I would imagine that the head can be supplied as a replacement unit which could be attached to your pump? I have a Genuine Innovations Top Dog CP Floor Pump which has such a head (and which locks onto the valve) and it's fantastic, only £16 too.

pdV6

16,442 posts

291 months

Tuesday 18th May 2010
quotequote all
Just buy a cheap track pump with both heads on it.

Aldi or Lidl were doing them recently for about a £5er, which can't be much more than a fiddly, leaky adaptor?

anonymous-user

84 months

Tuesday 18th May 2010
quotequote all
cheap pumps are a false economy, the seals are st. i bought a joe blow max from wiggle for around 325 amnd its awesome, two heads, easy to pump, a bit heavy but its great value for money....

pdV6

16,442 posts

291 months

Tuesday 18th May 2010
quotequote all
pablo said:
cheap pumps are a false economy, the seals are st. i bought a joe blow max from wiggle for around 325 amnd its awesome, two heads, easy to pump, a bit heavy but its great value for money....
I'd send it back - £325 is a bit on the pricey side! wink

But yes, cheap pumps are usually cack. I did make the huge assumption that the OP's car-style footpump is also a pile of cheap junk, as those sort usually seem to be.

As it happens, I think I have the same pump as you; most of the JB range are more expensive than that but the £25 one is as good as any other I've ever used...

mk1fan

10,916 posts

255 months

Wednesday 19th May 2010
quotequote all
Stan's No Tubes do a brass addaptor £2ish. Or you could trim the top off a plastic presta valve and use that.