flat tire

[crs]

So, twice now, I've broken off the tip of my tire's Presta stem while trying to disengage a bike pump from it. I've also been successful around a dozen times in the last six months, I would guess. Anyone got any hints for making this not happen again?

Comments

[nuclearpolymer]

I sometimes have bent my stem doing this. I think it must be a matter pulling the pump off vertically rather than having a horizontal angle, but I have no tip for how to ensure this.

[awfief]

I'd go to a friendly bike store like Bikes Not Bombs or Broadway Bikes and ask if they have tips, and if you can practice with older presta tires.

[totient]

I have more Presta tubes with holes in them than I'm ever going to fix, if you want some for this purpose.

[katybeth]

Schrader. :)

[totient]

Don't rush it. It's OK for the pump head to be on there for a few seconds after you release the lever -- the valve will do its thing and the air will stay in your tire in the meantime. Make removing the head be a separate motion from releasing the lever and you'll be much more able to take the head off straight, and much less likely to break off the valve stem.