I got a new bike, well really a trike. I took one out for a test drive and loved it. It is a Speed Catrike. It has been great, fantastic and I got a great deal on it as the bike shop owner was retiring and it was part of a going out of business sale.
OK, one month later, it needs air.
The valve stim is Tiny! My pump won’t fit it at all. I barely touched it and ALL the air came out so now it is completely flat. :eek:
So does anyone know about these tiny valve stims and whether of not there is an adapter for a regular pump?
Or do I need to order a special pump? Where?
I know I should have noticed them before, :smack: but I didn’t. The catrike web site isn’t helping so far.
That is a Presta valve. The one you are used to is Schrader. You can get adaptors, check a local bike shop. Or, just get a new pump which can handle both types.
You likely have a presta valve, which is common for higher performance tires on bikes. You can get an adapter at any bike store for a buck or so. It will screw over your valve and make it fit your pump (which is for a schrader valve, most likely).
Just a guess, but it’s probably a Presta valve, which as you’ve noticed, is different than the Schrader valves that grace most car tires. The two are compared here.
There are adapters, or you can go to most “serious” bike shops and get a pump with a Presta fitting.
I had to buy one of those adaptors not long ago. I knew there were two types, and I knew the names Presta and Schrader, but somehow got it into my head that Presta was the car-tyre type, and bought a whole bunch of inner tubes with the wrong valve. Well, I figured it was easier to order a £2 adapter from eBay then to go through the hassle of returning the tubes.
It has been great, fantastic and I got a great deal on it as the bike shop owner was retiring and it was part of a going out of business sale.