Why doesn't my standard foot pump fit onto my bicycle tube valve? ?

Question

I believe that I have a schrader valve on my bike tube. Another annoying thing is that at the gas station, the pump there didnt fit into my bike tube either, it just pushed it into the tube. Anyways i am out of air and need to ride my bike, could any1 help me out?

Answer 1

sounds like you have presta valves. just get a floor pump with a dual chuck. they start at $20 at your lbs. never fill your tires at a gas station. the air flow isn't always regulated, and there is usually no pressure gage. anyways, most bike shops don't charge for air, gas stations do..  

Answer 2

You must be more intelligent than the equipment you are operating.  If you do not want to learn how to do it there with some one assisting you in person, it will be difficult getting down the road.  Or you can go to some internets learning thing and suss it out.

Answer 3

If your bike has a shcraeder "car type valve" then I find it hard to believe that the pump at the gas station wouldn't fit it.

Answer 4

A Schraeder valve looks just like one on a car. Compare it. If it is a little smaller but is still similar in appearance you have a Dunlop valve. These are more common in the UK, and I doubt that you could even get an adapter in the US.

If the valve is very skinny and made of metal you have a presta valve. You need an adapter for it. To use, gently unscrew the little thing on the top of the valve, install the adapter, then use your Schraeder pump to inflate. Once inflated, remove the adapter, gently s***w down the nut, and reinstall the adapter for safekeeping.

Answer 5

i think you might have a presta valve. You can go to your local bike shop and ask for a schrader-to-presta adapter(i think they're under 5 bucks)

just to clarify...

http://www.nexternal.com/icycles/images/...