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i got one floor pump with a so called "smart valve". it came with no instructions whatsoever. and I'm not smart enough to use it...

I tried it on both type of tire valves, and no matter what i do, it never press the internal valve mechanism to allow air in.

it is similar to this one:

enter image description here

How should i use it? do i have to turn something on the tip to adapt to either type of valve?

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  • This is what I call an "agnostic" pump head -- it doesn't care whether the valve is Schrader or Presta.
    – Daniel R Hicks
    Commented May 12, 2018 at 20:59

1 Answer 1

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I have a pump with what looks like an identical head. Here's the instruction pdf that they provide. The instructions provided are as follows.

  1. Remove the dust cap from the tire valve.
  2. For Presta valves, unscrew locking nut at the end of the valve.
  3. Wipe off any mud or dirt from the outside surface of the valve stem; this ensures the pump's Clever Head will work properly. Also, release some air from the tube by pressing the air release tip on the valve to clean its inner parts.
  4. Press the Clever Head on to the Presta or Schrader valve stem as far as it will go and open the thumb lever to the locked position.
  5. The pressure gauge has a red arrow on the bezel that you can rotate to the desired pressure for easier reading.
  6. Infate your tire by lifting the pump handle up and pressing down. Do not over pressurize tire; see side wall of tire for maximum pressure value.
  7. Use the pressure release valve to lower and adjust tire pressure.
  8. Move the thumb lever to the unlocked position and remove the Clever Head from the valve stem.
  9. For Presta valves, tighten the locking nut at the end of the valve.
  10. Replace dust cap

For presta valves, I usually don't undo the locking nut the entire way, as I've had problems with them bending and snapping. Only undoing it half way seems to prevent this for the most part. Also, After I've mounted the pump in step 4, I press the air release button. If you hear air coming out, then it ensures the pump head is seated properly.

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    "Press the Clever Head on to the Presta or Schrader valve stem as far as it will go" hum. maybe because my Schrader tire is completely flat i can't press it enough for it to "work"?
    – gcb
    Commented May 1, 2015 at 19:47
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    This is probably the issue. Try pushing against the tire with your hand to stop the valve from going back through the rim. Presta valves have a nut to prevent this. Also, if you have presta valves, you have to have a fair amount protuding out of the rim to get the pump head seated properly.
    – Kibbee
    Commented May 1, 2015 at 19:49
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    Also, you should be able to test it on an unmounted tube without the tire and rim to worry about to ensure that there isn't some kind of defect with the pump.
    – Kibbee
    Commented May 1, 2015 at 19:53
  • yep. the unmounted tube did the trick. i measured how deep it has to go (almost the entire thread have to disappear) and then it can fill the tire. it was more trouble than it was worth it to try to insert it on the empty tire since it has MTB rubber... i just pumped a little with my hand pump.. debating if i will keep this floor pump or return it. it seems practical but i leave my tires empty pretty often. maybe it is a good motivator to not to :)
    – gcb
    Commented May 1, 2015 at 20:04
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    You may want to switch to using presta valves. See this question for more information on doing that.
    – Kibbee
    Commented May 1, 2015 at 20:14

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