FLCC> Advice re: floor pump

[john compton]

Ron~  Ernie's wealth of pump knowledge is right on.

i would just like to add a plug for Topeak's Joe Blow Pro.  i really like 
this guy. you can get more pricy pumps with little bell dingers that tell 
you when you have reached your desired pressure. or likely any other number 
if features that i could not imagine.  but the joe blow pro, is a great pump 
for the $.  and you sure can spend less, but cheap is not worth it's cost.

-jc

MainStreetBikeShop 607.546.2345
3809 MainStreet Burdett

http://www.mainstreetbikeshop.com




>From: Ernie Bayles <ebarch1 at verizon.net>
>To: racerra at icsd.k12.ny.us
>CC: "Finger Lakes Cycling Club (FLCC)" <FLCC at icycle.org>
>Subject: Re: FLCC> Advice re: floor pump
>Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:07:39 -0400
>
>Ron,
>
>This is sort of typical behavior.  Since the guage is measuring the
>pressure at the pump it won't give you an accurate read for what's in
>the tire until the pump pressure is greater than the tire pressure, so
>the lack of any or an accurate read upon hook up is typical.
>
>When pumping begins, the guage will read the "overpressure" that it
>takes to overcome the resistance in the tire valve which makes the
>needle bob up over the tire pressure.  If the valve is a bit sticky,
>this can be a lot (200 lbs) of pressure.  When the needle stops on the
>way down you have the reading for your tire pressure.
>
>If the needle continues to drop, it's because there is some leakage
>between the tire valve and the pump guage--usually around the fitting at
>the tire valve (sometimes known as the head).  It could also be in the
>valve at the guage.
>
>Most of this is pretty typical for even the best pumps.  If the pump is
>capable of getting air in the tire without too much sweating and
>swearing I'd consider it a pretty good pump.  If the guage works more
>than half the time you might consider it a great pump.
>
>I don't have a great pump, but it is 30 years old.  It was great at one
>time.  Cheap pumps are generally inferior on many fronts--inaccurate,
>hard to attach to the tire, lots of pumping effort--so you could
>probably benefit from an upgrade, but I don't have any current
>recommendation.
>
>I'd suggest you simply go to your LBS and try out a couple of models.
>If they work well for you on the tires on you bike you can make your own
>judgement.
>
>Ernie
>
>racerra wrote:
>
> >Hi All,
> >Last year I bought a cheap floor pump which is working
> >alright in terms of pumping air into my tires.  The gauge on
> >it, however, leaves a lot to be desired.  It doesn't read at
> >all when I first hook it up to the tire. (Is that normal?)
> >When I begin the pump, it reads anywhere from 80 to 110 and
> >fluctuates.  It jumps up as I begin to pump then seems to
> >drop down as I stop.  I don't think it is losing air at the
> >bottom of the stroke.
> >What I really need to know is, are these problems typical or
> >just due to it being a cheap pump.  Also, any advice about a
> >brand/model you would recommend.
> >Thanks,
> >Ron Acerra
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >FLCC mailing list
> >FLCC at icycle.org
> >http://icycle.org/mailman/listinfo/flcc_icycle.org
> >
> >
> >
>
>--
>Ernie Bayles, Architect
>209 Utica Street
>Ithaca, New York  14850
>
>607-275-3722 (tel and fax)
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>FLCC mailing list
>FLCC at icycle.org
>http://icycle.org/mailman/listinfo/flcc_icycle.org

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