mud pump room

Presta valve or mini pump issues? - Equipment - TrainerRoad

The problem

The problem is when I’ve changed the tube and inflated the tyre. I unscrew the pump from the presta valve, the pump seems to still be gripping the valve core and strips it out of the valve meaning all the air I’ve inflated immediately comes out of the valve.

Now, what I’m unsure about, is this likely to be ‘operator error’ or a dodgy pump? I’ve tried not screwing the pump onto the valve so tightly but that just stops the air going into the tyre.

My options for changing are either, learn how to inflate a tyre properly, go CO2 (which I’ve never really used) or get a new pump that ‘snaps’ onto the valve instead of screwing it on.

Note - It’s not a dodgy tube/valve as it’s happened on a couple of occasions with different tubes.

Possible Solutions

The screw-on type pumps don’t work too well with removable valve cores.

Options:

1. Use a pair of pliers to tighten down the valve core that it doesn’t come undone when you remove the pump.

2. Get a pump with a lever action fitting.

I would just buy a valve core tool and carry it with you. Handy to have anyway - and very small.

I tend to remove the core from new tubes and loctite them back in to prevent the problem

Valve Core Tool

I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a valve core tool but then again if you knew my technical/mechanical skills you wouldn’t be surprised.

A valve core tool might not have enough torque to be able to tighten it enough which is why I suggested a pair of pliers.