Problems pumping up tyres!

^Kate's considerably lighter than Fenella, but I think height, relative proportions of leg to torso length and upper body strength may also be factors...

Fair enough, has she tried pumping up a tyre after putting on a rucksack full of books?

And enormous platform boots?

Nah, stand on the stairs- more stable.

Honestly it is an extraordinary sight to see ones life partner feet off the ground being slowly levitated by a pump handle and really guys I have a lot of sympathy for your position (if only they stopped messing about and used a track pump properly there wouldn't be a problem), but I am no longer able to hold that opinion myself, if only you could see what i have seen with your eyes...

Eventually, all men will be removed from the LADIES FORUM, and it will be the right choice.

Why not just let the ladies have their discussions, without the male joking, or stupid and unhelpful comments?

Either be helpful, or leave the ladies to their forum. Why is it that guys are posting so much on here? Look at yourselves fellas. Nhatt can answer practically any technical questions, and others can chip in. If some guy can answer a specific question, then fair enough......but really, what is going on here?

I won't be replying to any male respondents regarding this post.

When anyone has posted to ask why they can't remove a pedal, I've immediately checked whether they're aware of the alternative threading on left-hand pedals, unless they mention awareness of the fact in the OP.

The same 'check the usual suspects' approach applies anywhere else e.g. can't pump up tyre / presta locknut.

Then suddenly that advice is cited as an example of sexist patronising, which created a sub-thread within the thread.

What's the problem? Nhatt has reiterated more than once that the women's sub-forum was never imagined as a single gender domain. It was more of a thematic label, but would also probably create an environment more often frequented by female forum members.

That's how I see it, Ashe. Shame you're not willing to comment.

The Skully method is the trick. I couldn't work a track pump the first time I tried, same problem as the other girls, was basically laying on the handle but it was still going nowhere. Its all about technique.

Eventually, all men will be removed from the LADIES FORUM, and it will be the right choice.

Why not just let the ladies have their discussions, without the male joking, or stupid and unhelpful comments?

Either be helpful, or leave the ladies to their forum. Why is it that guys are posting so much on here? Look at yourselves fellas. Nhatt can answer practically any technical questions, and others can chip in. If some guy can answer a specific question, then fair enough......but really, what is going on here?

I won't be replying to any male respondents regarding this post.

Ashe I think you've got this wrong, there are a lot of useful tips in this thread, a lot of those from male members of the forum - this is a ladies sub forum, but it is not exclusively for ladies, that wasn't the idea. I don't want this to turn into a 'don't make fun of ladies' issue - this is LFGSS, we all make fun of each other - and throw in helpful comments along the way - I've actually been pretty entertained at the idea of making Mrs Digger wear 40 kilo's worth of books to see if she can pump up her tyres - and I think that Mrs Digger and plenty of other ladies here probably feels the same. It's light hearted ribbing with some help thrown in - If it was so offensive I'm pretty sure myself or Nhatt would have heard about it. Needless to say we haven't
So, Ashe, with respect..lighten up mate.

With respect.....

I've just been pwned. ;)

EDIT:
Make that doubly pwned. Once above, and then just a couple of posts later.
Its high time I go through with that sex change I'd been wanting. No more pwnage.

:|

I'm quite a big girl, and I have a good track pump (plus a proper air compressor) so I never normally have a problem. A customer brought his track pump in with his bike because he couldn't figure out how to blow up his tyre with it. I was happy to help, but I got a real work out with his cheap track pump!
We have a specialized one at the shop that 10 year old malnurished hood rats use all day, so I can recommend that one.

I was about to say nearly the same thing as Claire.

Since I'm Internet free at the moment, my iPhone doesn't tell me what forum I'm on and even I didn't know I was on the lfgssl bit. I did notice how nicely restrained and helpful pretty much everyone was being.

So, in conclusion, can it Ashe. The only thing more patronizing than a bunch of guys telling a a girl how to pump up her tyres is another guy telling her it's patronizing to let guys tell her how to pump up her tyres. I'm happy to flame/delete anything innapropriate without having a bloke tell me that I should.

I have no problems entertaining suggestions of user error, since that's always MY problem. Sometimes it just doesn't connect right, if I can't push down the handle it means the air's getting trapped in the hose and not going in the tyre. Take it off the valve and try again. Sometimes I have to try several times to get it right.

The Skully method is the trick. I couldn't work a track pump the first time I tried, same problem as the other girls, was basically laying on the handle but it was still going nowhere. Its all about technique.

I think it helps to be a little explosive too. Try to do it slowly, and it's more difficult than slamming the handle down as quickly as possible. A bit like trying to release from Time ATACS*.

*useful analogy for ATACS users only :/

Probably been said, but deflating the tyre a little first always helps...

si, the comments about the physics are spot on- smaller area pumps (skinny barrels) are better- anyone familiar with mtb shock pumps? Handheld jobbies that will put 250psi in your shock, no Schwarzenegger needed.

But pies are really the ultimate answer.

Ok, how about (deep sigh) cartridges?
Have you lighter ladies considered these?

But pies are really the ultimate answer.

Ok, how about (deep sigh) cartridges?
Have you lighter ladies considered these?

Isn't that cheating? Anyway, I don't mind the feet off floor whilst (trying to) force the pump down. Acrobatic, yet strength training at the same time, innit?

At 63kg I rode 23mm tyres at 95psi front and 100psi rear; 5-10 psi less in very slippery conditions; equal pressures for hillclimbs; maybe 100f/105r for TTing & RRing on reasonable roads. Clinchers, BTW.

Interesting, I normally just put the max pressure mius 5 psi in my tyres, but I've got a new michelin pro race 3 infront of me at the moment, and there's a graph on the back of the packet which says I should be putting in 94psi (tyre max is 116psi), according to my weight (<63kg). I guess I'll see what difference it makes to ride this weekend.