Changed tires on Road bike, but only getting 65psi

[Tim Hall]

Another thing to check- make sure the lockring at the base of the valve is tight on the rim. With a decent track pump, and you've got one, it won't take long to get it up to pressure. When the lockring's loose it's rather harder if not impossible.

Up to a point, Lord Copper. I don't see that at all. How do I pump up my tyres which aren't fitted with lockrings?

Back to the OP. As Ianrauk says, give it some beans, you'll get there no bother.

 

[oldroadman]

Why 120 psi please, for ordinary riding? Rock hard and not comfortable to ride, no need for more than 6.5/7 atmospheres (about the 100 psi mark in old money). I can't see what difference lockrings would make if the tube was correctly fitted. Just open the valve fully, and pump away.

 

[Cyclist33]

after fitting the tyres, go round all the way pushing in each side of each tyre checking that the tubes arent snagged between the tyre and wheel rim. if your tubes are popping it might be coz theyre not fully within the tyres?

stu

 

[Carlo Mullen]

just returned to the tyres and got 100psi in them

 

[ianrauk]

just returned to the tyres and got 100psi in them

There you go...................!

 

[StuAff]

Up to a point, Lord Copper. I don't see that at all. How do I pump up my tyres which aren't fitted with lockrings?

Results may vary. I have, in the not-too-distant past, stood there puffing away for several minutes and got nowhere, before finding the lockring was loose. Tightened lockring, start again, and got it up to pressure in no time.

 

[Globalti]

You just replaced the pump head better and overcame the stickiness of the little titty. The lockring has nothing to do with pumping success; it merely holds the valve in the rim for your convenience when starting to pump a flat tube.

Unscrew the little titty and briefly depress it to free it; otherwise when topping up a tube that's already at high pressure the pump may not be able to overcome the combined inertia of the titty and the pressure pushing it out. When it does, you'll hear it go with a little click.

 

[youngoldbloke]

^ exactly!
I use Michelin tubes that have a smooth valve barrel - no lockring - and have no problems inflating them. Lockrings are completely unnecessary. When first inflating push down on the tyre/valve with your thumb as you push the pump head/adapter onto the valve.

 

[Globalti]

I use the lockring because it stabilises the valve in the wheel. Without the lockring the valve gets moved and can fail where it joins the tube. Lockrings are there for a reason!

 

[StuAff]

You just replaced the pump head better and overcame the stickiness of the little titty. The lockring has nothing to do with pumping success; it merely holds the valve in the rim for your convenience when starting to pump a flat tube.

Unscrew the little titty and briefly depress it to free it; otherwise when topping up a tube that's already at high pressure the pump may not be able to overcome the combined inertia of the titty and the pressure pushing it out. When it does, you'll hear it go with a little click.

Fair enough, something new learnt

 

[youngoldbloke]

I use the lockring because it stabilises the valve in the wheel. Without the lockring the valve gets moved and can fail where it joins the tube. Lockrings are there for a reason!

How do the Michelin tubes survive, I wonder. How do Schrader valves survive?

 

[Globalti]

Er... Michelin tubes have a lockring and Schrader valves are usually a fairly snug fit in the valve hole, with their rubber stem.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Er... Michelin tubes have a lockring and Schrader valves are usually a fairly snug fit in the valve hole, with their rubber stem.

Er... I'm holding one in my left hand as I type this - Michelin A1 Airstop Butyl, 700x18-23, 40mm Presta. and it definitely does NOT have a lockring, or any means of fitting one - the valve barrel is smooth. IME Presta valves are also a fairly snug fit in the valve hole - in my rims anyway - Mavic and Shimano.

 

[youngoldbloke]

 

[Globalti]

Sorry, my mistake. I use Michelin tyres but Conti tubes, which do have lockrings.

A good reason to avoid Michelin tubes then!