When I inflate my tires, should I only begin pumping when the gauge on the pump reads an initial air pressure? Would it be ok to just begin pumping even though the gauge reads zero or would this not put any air into the tire? I've had a problem with several valves breaking because I keep trying to move the pump head around until I get a reading on the gauge.

If it doesn't show any pressure on the gauge and you pump, the air is not going into the valve properly, that simple. Instead of trying to move the pump head, just take it off and put it back on. Make sure that your pushing the pump head down on the stem as well, its a good chance your not pushing the pump head down enough and engaging the stem enough to get a reading. Last resort though, consider that the pump might be broken or faulty in some way

When I inflate my tires, should I only begin pumping when the gauge on the pump reads an initial air pressure? Would it be ok to just begin pumping even though the gauge reads zero or would this not put any air into the tire? I've had a problem with several valves breaking because I keep trying to move the pump head around until I get a reading on the gauge.
I assume that you have presta valves (the thin ones not like on a car). Once you screw out the air lock (whatever you call it), air pressure in the tire is holding the valve closed. Attach the pump head and the valve is still closed so the reading is zero. Start pumping and the pump pressure will read on the gauge. When the pump pressure is greater than the tire pressure (plus a little to overcome hysteresis (sp?)), the valve will open and let air in. You will probably hear this happen. Pump to desired pressure and remove the pump head. Again the tire pressure will hold the valve closed. Screw in the air lock. Ride. - TF

...that HIISSSSS you hear when you remove the pump head is only air escaping from the hose. The presta valve closes as soon as air starts pushing through it.


I assume that you have presta valves (the thin ones not like on a car). Once you screw out the air lock (whatever you call it), air pressure in the tire is holding the valve closed. Attach the pump head and the valve is still closed so the reading is zero. Start pumping and the pump pressure will read on the gauge. When the pump pressure is greater than the tire pressure (plus a little to overcome hysteresis (sp?)), the valve will open and let air in. You will probably hear this happen. Pump to desired pressure and remove the pump head. Again the tire pressure will hold the valve closed. Screw in the air lock. Ride. - TF

Thanks so much for yalls help. I'll be sure to give it a try next time around. Broke three valves in a week trying to reposition the pump doing it my way so this has to be an improvement.

Broke 3 valves??? Shees!!!

BTW, those gauges on the pump are usually very inaccurate.

When I inflate my tires, should I only begin pumping when the gauge on the pump reads an initial air pressure? Would it be ok to just begin pumping even though the gauge reads zero or would this not put any air into the tire? I've had a problem with several valves breaking because I keep trying to move the pump head around until I get a reading on the gauge.
Also, be sure to screw the little silver knurl full counter-clockwise to allow the stem to be pushed in before you seat the pump head and start pumping.

Also, be sure to screw the little silver knurl full counter-clockwise to allow the stem to be pushed in before you seat the pump head and start pumping.
Don't confuse him. You do have to open the manual part of the valve, but nothing is "pushed in" on a presta valve. The differential pressure opens the inner part of the valve. - TF

Make sure that your pushing the pump head down on the stem as well, its a good chance your not pushing the pump head down enough and engaging the stem enough to get a reading.

There is no way you should be pushing the pump head on far enough to depress the valve and get a pressure reading - if you did that you'd let all the air out of the tire and the valve would not be able to operate properly. You will only see pressure when you pump, and you often hear a "click" as the valve stem depresses and then reseats with each pump stroke. The procedure is simple - press the pump head on and start pumping. If you don't see the pressure rise on the gauge with each pump stroke, then something is not working properly with the pump. Examples most likely would be a leaky pump head gasket (air leaks out around the stem instead of being forced into the tire), dried out washer in the pump barrel, or a failed check valve in the pump.

I rode around on track tires (18" mind you) for about 6 months before I finally got a pair of tires that were really for riding on the, oh, you know,.....ROAD! Some asshat at an LBS sold me these tires on a bike that they built up for me. My first one. What did I know? I thought everyone got flats every other ride, then to boot, it was a beeatch to get the dern tire back on the rim. Took me going to a legit shop to get straghtened out.

I was, and am, a moreon.

BT

If it doesn't show any pressure on the gauge and you pump, the air is not going into the valve properly, that simple.

What? It is fairly typical to have no reading when you first put the pump head down on the stem. Why? Because there's no air coming OUT the presta valve to generate a reading in the pump, because the valve is held closed with internal air pressure. You need to pump at least 1/2 stroke to fill the air hose and create pressure equal to what's in the tire. THAT'S your reading.

To suggest that a pump is broken, or the head not seated right, just because the guage shows ZERO before pumping, is inaccurate advice.

Next issue that comes more often... folks start to pump and within 1/2 pump the pressure shows off the charts. That means the presta valve is sticking a little and not letting the air you are pumping in. Remove the head, tap on the valve to let a little air out, and try again.

Oops. I seemed to have confused everyone. I was talking about adding air to a tyre, not pumping the tyre from flat. Of course the pump isn't going to read anything if theirs no air inside. My way works for me anyway, geesh.

Oops. I seemed to have confused everyone. I was talking about adding air to a tyre, not pumping the tyre from flat. Of course the pump isn't going to read anything if theirs no air inside. My way works for me anyway, geesh.

This may be something specific to your pump, or the use of a Schraeder/Presta valve adaptor, but for MOST pumps, there is no gauge reading until you start pumping, regardless of the pressure in the tire. As has been noted repeatedly in this thread, valves don't let air out of the tube unless the valve stem is depressed. A pump head for a Schraeder valve has a pin that depresses the valve stem and so you can read pressure when you put the head on the valve - this pin is needed because the Schraeder valve is spring loaded. A Presta valve head does not do this as there is no spring tension to overcome. With a Presta valve, pump strokes raise the pressure in the hose until that pressure exceeds the pressure in the tire. At that point, the valve stem is depressed and air flows into the tube, with the pressure in the hose equal to the pressure in the tire at the end of the pump stroke. You DO NOT push a pump head on a Presta valve enough to depress the valve stem. Your experience does not jive with virtually everyone else's, unless you are not explaining it well.

Oops. I seemed to have confused everyone. I was talking about adding air to a tyre, not pumping the tyre from flat. Of course the pump isn't going to read anything if theirs no air inside. My way works for me anyway, geesh.


Nope. Your description is still not accurate even if there's air in the tire.

Let's say I have 70 lbs in my road tire, wanting to pump up to my preferred 110. When I put the head of the pump down on the open presta valve, there will be NO reading until you start to pump. When you start to pump, there will be no real accurate reading until the pressure of the air in the pump hose is equal to the pressure in the tire (maybe the first 1/2 of your stroke).

Your description was not accurate under any circumstances.