Problems pumping up tyres!

My boyf usually checks my tyre pressure etc, but we decided that I should be doing this now. I just tried to, but found I was actually too light to be able to get any air into them! I'm using one of those pumps that stands upright, that you can put your feet on at the bottom and put all your weight through the pumping thing (technical, I know...) and has a pressure guage (before you ask, no, I wasn't even near the right pressure). Even with jumping up and down to try and put more weight through it, I still couldn't get the handle to move down!
Anyone else have these problems??? What do you do? Any suggestions?

Assuming it is a presta valve:

Did you try to unscrew the top part of the valve before pumping?

You need to unscrew that thing at the top and then push it in briefly to 'break the seal' thereby freely allowing air in. I'm surprised at how few people know this.

^what they said, unless you weigh less than ~30kg/are less than 4ft tall.

I sometimes have a similar problem despite having loosened the twisty-thing (all technical terminology used here). Usually I haven't loosened it enough, or I haven't pushed the pump head far enough on to the valve. I suppose that would mean the twisty-thing™ doesn't get pushed down to break the seal.

Probably.

Like I said, I've been surprised at how many people undid the end and then didn't press down on it to break the valve seal first.

I think the penny just dropped.
off to experiment.

Assuming it is a presta valve:

Did you try to unscrew the top part of the valve before pumping?

Yep. I watched what he did before being 'supervised' when doing it myself. I undid the twisty thing and heard the pop, so know that I broke the seal.

Guess you just need to apply a drop of HTFU then. Available at most good hardware stores.

^what they said, unless you weigh less than ~30kg/are less than 4ft tall.

I'm neither of those, but apparently am doing everything right, having been supervised...

Your supervisor might need supervision.

Some cheap pumps can be tempremental. Does your pump function properly for everyone else?

Some cheap pumps can be tempremental. Does your pump function properly for everyone else?

Yep. It's worked on about 4 or 5 different bikes and has previously worked on mine (and indeed did later on when the boyf took over).
I guess I just have to grow some muscles!

First time I was left to my own devices to pump up the tyre on my fixed ... using the same type of pump as above ... it made a godalmighty bang as it blew up 5 mins later just while I was getting bag & gloves 'n' stuff on. Typical. Had to ride in geared.

That was after the bump I had where a few spokes broke or got dented, I went through 3 inner tubes within a week so there might have been something caught up inside the wheel.

One thing I'll now remember though, is that it's probably not a good idea to do a couple extra 'pumps' for luck ... and over inflate the wheel.

... jumped out of my skin though.

Sounds like the Presta valve might be jammed to me. They don't last forever, particularly if you have a bent one. Maybe get a new inner tube fitted and try that.

That reminds me of the first time I tried to use a track pump on my own. I too hadn't realised the valve had a 'seal' that needed to be loosened. I was just grateful the guys in the lbs had the grace not to laugh in front of me when I sought their opinion the following morning :-).

I regard all my pitiful attempts at bike maintenance as learning experiences and I now think the guys are willing to teach me as they can see I want to learn. Still, I'm practically leaning on the track pump to get the tyre up to 125psi. Actually, that's not quite right. I can get up to 120psi then I have to get a guy to pump the remainder for me. I'm not strong enough, but I can live with that.

Stop at a much more reasonable 100psi and you wouldn't have to ask for help.

I'm sorry, but there must be some sort of major malfunction or misunderstanding going on here as there is no way that an adult does not have the strength to blow up a tyre to 120psi with a track pump. No matter how small you are. My six year old daughter does it every week! (slave labour)

depends on the pump

depends on the pump

This could be true, but are there really track pumps that are this bad? I've not had this problem so far.

When you buy one for £5 from ebay, it's pretty bad. I learnt the hard way. It's actually easier using my compact pump.

When you buy one for £5 from ebay, it's pretty bad. I learnt the hard way. It's actually easier using my compact pump.

Wow, I stand corrected. My pedro pump must rule then!

One of my valves would still need a huge initial pumping effort to start air going in despite breaking the seal first.
A bit counter productive I know but try partially deflating the tyre first and see how you go from there.

LH, I hope you were successful?

I'm sorry, but there must be some sort of major malfunction or misunderstanding going on here as there is no way that an adult does not have the strength to blow up a tyre to 120psi with a track pump. No matter how small you are. My six year old daughter does it every week! (slave labour)

So not true! I'm 120 lbs and can not for the life of me get certain pumps to go up t 120 psi! I do 120 b/c I kn0w I'll l0se (stupid O key nt always wrking nw) abut 10 psi when i take 0ut the pump. plus, I've laid n the ne at my mom's and can't get it t g past 100 psi. I used ne at a stre and culd just barely get up t 110, had t have the guy d0 the back wheel, felt a right idi0t!