Track Pump

Pj!

I'm a newbie to cycling. Anywho, got my bike and all and popped in Argos for a track pump. This one here: http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=30001&partNumber=0362827

Now either I'm crap at using it or it's just crap. It seems hard to get a decent reading from the meter. Sometimes it does hold a reading but other times it will change if I play around with it and the valve. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or not.

Another thing is I can't seem to pump a tyre up past 60 psi. Again I realise I may be doing something wrong or perhaps it is the pump thats just crap.
Any opinions? Surely a track pump should be capable of the job???

Stark

Most likely the pump is just crap. A proper pump should be able to pump to at least 160psi

A decentish pump can be picked up for around €40:
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=136&idproduct=4290
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=136&idproduct=21498
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1608

Chris Peak

Bring it back and get this one instead.
http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001101&productId=1500188185&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012750.Sports%2Band%2Bfitness%3EC%24cip%3D1500012760.Bikes%2Band%2Bcycling%3EC%24cip%3D1500012766.Cycle%2Bpumps&categoryId=1500012766&clickfrom=image
I've had it for just over 4 years now and it works fine. It's not the most accurate gauge in the world, but it's grand. There's no point paying big money for things just yet.


If you want what they use in bike shops try this.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1608

ilovelamp2000

Stark wrote: »

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1608

I actually bought this one a few weeks ago and it's excellent, as is the quick and free delivery from CRC.

thesunwashot

+1 on the Joe Blow. Well worth the cash

Pj!

Cheers lads. This place is invaluable to newbies!!

So its definitely not anything i'm doing wrong? You'd think (well I did anyway) that a pump would be up for the job, as long as its not pure dirt cheap. I deliberately got the more expensive one in Argos, thinking the extra tenner might be worth it.

So now I have a tire that read only 60psi when I pumped it. It doesn't feel too different to the front one which is still 'full' from the shop. Hmmm. Yeah I might just get one of the Joe Blows. Think I seen em in Halfords.

Thaks again.

blorg

Chris Peak wrote: »

Bring it back and get this one instead.
http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001101&productId=1500188185&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012750.Sports%2Band%2Bfitness%3EC%24cip%3D1500012760.Bikes%2Band%2Bcycling%3EC%24cip%3D1500012766.Cycle%2Bpumps&categoryId=1500012766&clickfrom=image
I've had it for just over 4 years now and it works fine. It's not the most accurate gauge in the world, but it's grand. There's no point paying big money for things just yet.

If you want what they use in bike shops try this.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1608

I have that Beto/Cyclepro pump that Chris linked. It certainly inflates as far as you like (have to use a presta-schraeder adapter though- indeed that might be your whole problem?) but as Chris says the gauge is crap. I'm planning on buying that Joe Blow Sport to get an accurate gauge.

Pj!

blorg wrote: »

(have to use a presta-schraeder adapter though- indeed that might be your whole problem?)

Yeah I have the adaptor so I'll try using that later today and see if I get any joy from it.

I want my tyres back at proper pressure!!!!:mad:

Bambaata

i always struggle with my pump getting the connection off without letting too much air out! Mine seems to really grip it sometimes and if i do even manage to get it off quick i almost always bash my hand trying to get it off! i think i need a new one anyway cos when it gets to about 115/120 it starts lettin air out itself!

daymobrew

thesunwashot wrote: »

+1 on the Joe Blow. Well worth the cash

Agreed. I am annoyed that I waited so long to buy a track pump.

Fatloss08

BBB ( Bills Bike Babes ) is excellent imo

blorg

BBB stuff is generally very good quality so I wouldn't be surprised. Just ordered the Joe Blow Sprint from CRC (£29.99), reckoned the top-mount gauge and pressure release button were worth the extra fiver over the sport.

Stark

Speaking of pumps, does anyone else have trouble removing the pump without releasing air? I always get an escape of air as soon as I release the thumb lock.

TinyExplosions

Stark wrote: »

Speaking of pumps, does anyone else have trouble removing the pump without releasing air? I always get an escape of air as soon as I release the thumb lock.

Mine always lets a small bit out, so I pump my tyres a little past 100psi, to account for the loss

Gavin

A lot of that air spewing out is probably from the pump. At least on the track pump I use, there seems to be an air pocket in the pump itself, which of course goes up to the same pressure as the air in the tyre. When the pump is removed, this high pressure air from the pump shoots out.

Chris Peak

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Mine always lets a small bit out, so I pump my tyres a little past 100psi, to account for the loss

So I’ve been ruining my ‘prospects’ with over inflated (110psi) tyres? :eek:

TinyExplosions

Chris Peak wrote: »

So I’ve been ruining my ‘prospects’ with over inflated (110psi) tyres? :eek:

Not at all -racing tyres can take over 100psi, I just keep em around that cos I'm a Clydesdale (or should I say a fatty!)

Stark

The recommended pressure on my tyres (23mm) is 110psi.

blorg

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Not at all -racing tyres can take over 100psi, I just keep em around that cos I'm a Clydesdale (or should I say a fatty!)

Heavier riders should inflate to higher pressures than lighter riders, not the other way around. If you think about this for a second it makes perfect sense (as you put more downward pressure on the bike your tyres deform more, and you need higher pressures to counteract this.)

A handy chart from Michelin:

Chris Peak

That's a very handy chart, thank you. Pity it only goes up to 82kg and not 90:eek:

Since getting back on the road bike, it seems like nothing is going right.

If it’s not the feet hanging off me (now fixed – more or less), it’s the saddle position I just can’t seem to get right. Or now, it’s the tyre pressure bothering me.
Oh yeah, and if you crash it costs a fortune to get fixed…

Wasn’t like this when I was a kid, rattling about all day on an oversized ‘High Nelly’, I can tell you!

Hungrycol

Stark wrote: »

The recommended pressure on my tyres (23mm) is 110psi.

Ditto, I recently bought a JoeBlow Sprint track pump. The pressure gague is at the top of the pump which makes it easier to read and the reason I bought it.

TinyExplosions

Chris Peak wrote: »

That's a very handy chart, thank you. Pity it only goes up to 82kg and not 90:eek:

I need it to go over 100kg!

blorg

For higher or lower you just inflate to the min/max, see the graph goes flat at that point

Pj!

Cheers lads. Got the JoeBlow Sport today in Halfords. It works a treat. Very happy!!

Now back to the cycling!!

triv88

how much are they going for in halfords?

Pj!

€42 mate. Advertised at €63(!!!!) But some 1/3rd off thing going on at the mo.

ilovelamp2000

Forky wrote: »

€42 mate. Advertised at €63(!!!!) But some 1/3rd off thing going on at the mo.

That's nuts.

It was £25 (roughly €32) on the CRC website, delivery included.

Pj!

Yeah when I seen the €63 I nearly dropped!!

Wonder did they put the price up before they started the 1/3rd off deal??

Stark

Most likely. Totally illegal to do so, but everyone seems to be at it these days.

blorg

My Joe Blow Sprint arrived this morning. Thing is huge. Works a treat, very easy and fast to use and the gauge is really easy to read. Can't believe I waited so long!

stuf

blorg wrote: »

My Joe Blow Sprint arrived this morning. Thing is huge. Works a treat, very easy and fast to use and the gauge is really easy to read. Can't believe I waited so long!

My Joe Blow Sprint arrived this this afternoon - god it's a bigun!

Vélo

Which one did you get there's a few different joeblow pumps on wiggle, the most expensive is €71, they start at €30ish

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Topeak_Joe_Blow_Pro_Track_Pump/5360022932/

stuf

Aquinas73 wrote: »

Which one did you get there's a few different joeblow pumps on wiggle, the most expensive is €71, they start at €30ish

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Topeak_Joe_Blow_Pro_Track_Pump/5360022932/

I got the sprint - same as blorg

I expected it to be similar in size to the sport but it's a good 6 inches taller. Can't wait to get it home.

My 8 year old argos one only works well for Schrader valves so needed something for the presta

blorg

I got the Joe Blow Sprint as I wanted the top-mount gauge. Wiggle are very expensive on those pumps, I got mine from CRC. I presume if it is taller than the Sport it also pumps faster (it is certainly a lot faster than my previous track pump, which I now leave in work.)

DirkVoodoo

I bought a BBB track pump in the belfield bike shop for €25. Pumps my tires up over 100 PSI with ease, no problems with the locking mechanism regarding leakage. It doesnt exactly look amazing, but for the price I think its pretty good.

fish-head

Yeah I've the BBB Track Pump too. Does the job prefectly well. I only paid €20 for mine in the UCD Bike Shop! :P

DirkVoodoo

Damn!

PeadarofAodh

I got a Joeblow a couple of weeks back from Wiggle, takes about 15 seconds to get them fully pumped with no difficulty. Definitely should've invested before now!

@Blorg - the Ultremo tyres say to pump from 95-145 psi (as far as I can remember...). 145 seems a bit high doesn't it?

blorg

145 would be a bit high, yes, I would not go beyond 110. The ride would get very harsh with no real benefit.

SetOverSet

Fatloss08 wrote: »

BBB ( Bills Bike Babes ) is excellent imo

+1