I’m having trouble with the crack pipe while trying to inflate my Zipp disc (clincher). I got it to work, but, only after deflating the entire tire (by accident), then using one hand to hold the pipe and my body weight to push the floor pump. It cannot be that hard. What in the hell am I doing wrong?!?!?!
What size stem should I have on my tubes?
Should I be attaching the pipe to the pump first, then to the tube?
Any other helpful hints?
Thanks!
Since the crack pipe doesn’t clip on to the valve the easiest way is to get someone to help you. If you want to be able to do it easily by yourself I found that using an electric pump is the best way (one hand for the pump, one hand for the crack pipe). Small electric pumps can be found in the auto section of many of the discount stores, sometimes at the auto parts stores, or, perhaps, Harbor Freight. If I recall correctly mine cost about $70 and is a rechargeable model. (I don’t actually know where mine was purchased; it was a gift.)
This may not be much help as I have never found an easy way to use the crack pipe. You should definitely attach the pipe to pump first. Holding the pipe with one hand and pumping with the other works until you get >100 psi. After that, I have to use my body weight to pump. It’s always easier to have someone else pump while you hold the pipe. Regardless, someone needs to build a better mouse trap.
That is how I have to do it. If my wife isn’t there to help, then I use one hand and usually my chest to push the pump down. It sucks, but they are good wheels
I attach it to the pump, and the get somebody to help and hold it onto the tire.
I carefully wedge a sponge or piece of styrofoam between the head of the crack pipe and the top of the disc valve opening. It usually works. It remains one of my pre-race worries, however.
Same here. I have a wooden dow that I wedge in there. Holds the crack pipe in place.
That’s pretty much how I do it too. I’m not sure there’s a graceful way to do it. By the way, I’ve always attached the crack pipe to the pump first, then to the valve stem.
I attach the crack pipe to the pump, hold the crack pipe on to the valve with my left hand, and pump the floor pump with my right hand. I use a Silca pump that has a straight brass end. Works perfectly.
This is one that drove me nuts at first as well. I use an allen socket. I usually have a few tools with me and found that a 8mm (I think?) 3/4 socket fits perfect., I attach the pipe to the pump, then there’s just enough room for the pipe on the valve stem and the socket behind it. Stays perfect.
Hello JSA and All,
‘Peyronie’ your valve extension.
If you want to gamble on your bending skills you can put the valve stem with an aluminum extension in a vise and bend it (very slowly and carefully) with some large water pump pliers to a smooth curve (to the outside) that you can push out and then put on your regular pump. Only bend it enough to get the pump on. There should be enough flexibility on the valve stem to push it back in and tape over the wheel opening.
I should mention that you need to use some ‘plumbers tape’ - teflon tape to seal the extension to the valve stem and do not bend the valve stem part with the valve core in it.
Also I used a bench grinder to slightly adjust the length of the extension so that when it was screwed on tight it pointed to the outside of the wheel.
I bend my valve extensions this way for my disk wheel so I can use my regular floor pump WITHOUT a crack pipe. Works great. But if I screw up the bend it is only the extension that breaks. In your case you could lose your new tire. Perhaps you have some old tires that have flatted you can practice on.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Neal
Jeez, all these extra bits, bending, cooperation and contortion. It’s really not that hard:
Great Idea… bent a 60mm valve stem and it works great on my Renn. Eliminated the need for an extension. Thanx for the idea!!!