I’ve not used my bike for about 6 months and the tyres have gone completely flat (undstandable). But I’ve borrowed a pump from a friend but it just. doesn’t fit. Image 2 shows how the pump is unable to fit past the spoke. It’s not the valve itself, it’s that the spokes are in the way and I cannot figure out how on earth to fix this. I can’t angle the valve because it’s in the hard plastic casing. Can I take the inner tube out and then pump it up? Help please.
disclaimer: know nothing about bikes and this one has been outside unused (I know I’m sorry) and im just trying to get it usable again.
by mikapokes
4 Comments
take out the air, gently pull at the valve until its straight, if not possible, open the tire with tire levers and straighten the tube, so the valve is straight.
its possible that the rim ate into the valve material, if so, replace the tube
Edit: its also possible that the tube is fucked due to long standing hours, ride gently the first time after re-inflating
Fully deflate the tube, remove one side of the tyre, reseat the tube so that the valve is at 90 degrees to the rim, put the tyre back on, pump up.
You can try deflating the tire fully, then push the tire from the outside so that you can push the valve straight through the hole in the rim so that the valve is coming up nice and straight. While pushing with one hand, use the other hand to mount the pump. Hope this works for you.
These commenters have it right, it’s best to deflate the tire and reseat it. I add a step in the middle. When the tire is off, sprinkle baby powder/talc inside the tire. It acts like a lube between the tire and tube. You might have noticed when you removed the tube from the tire that they stuck together. The powder will prevent this. This also minimizes pinch flats if you tend to ride with a lower tire pressure.
Simple fix. Get out there and ride. Enjoy.