How can I inflate a presta tyre with just one hand

Question

I'm trying to inflate my bike with thin presta tyres; but the pump I'm using is universal, it fits loosely. I need to keep one hand in the valve in order to inflate but on reaching 50 psi, I need both hands to push the pump thus I can't hold the valve in place.

On another note I've searched online and there doesn't seem to be any presta specifc pumps, all are universal, which implies they fit loosely.

What are your suggestions?

Update 2: The pump works fine on the other tyre, stupidly straightforward. I'm not sure why on this tyre doesn't work. The tyre looks fine, and in fact was almost at full pressure when I tried to fill it; but lost all the air while trying. I'll replace it and I'll let you guys the outcome. Thanks all so far.

Update: I bought a £50 pump I still have the same issue, see pictures:

Answer 1

TL;DR The problem was the tube. The chuck was damaged. Brand new tube solved the problem.

just to let you know that I've managed to get my bike sorted. Here goes the story:

I noticed that one my bike tyres seemed to have a bit of air missing as I could push it down slightly. I had bought an inflator a few months ago but hadn't used it. And so, this was the perfect opportunity to try it. So I stick the chuck into the adapter and try to pump the tyre but air always gets lost, so putting one hand on the chuck and the other on the pump I don't lose air but can't pump this way past 50psi. Hence my original question.

Based on the feedback from you guys, it looks like I'm not pushing the chuck properly. I try to push the chuck as hard as I can and it gets stuck. I manage to fill up the tyre, that by now had lost all air. However, when I pull the chuck out of it, as it's really stuck, I lose all air again. Based on your feedback, it seems that my pump is not a good quality one.

I go and buy the finest pump I can and try again pumping that tyre but I still lose air. I try the other tyre in my bike and I manage to inflate this one easily. My conclusion is then that the original tyre is the problem. I imagine I damaged it when try to pull the chuck from the original pump, after having push it beyond its limit.

I replaced the tyre and fill it up no problem now. (Okay I got a new shiny tube exploding before, but I got here, nonetheless ).

Answer 2

Get a better pump! Well, it seems the asker already has a good pump but I'll leave this here for others who might be having problems.

There are basically three types.

1. Pumps with a hose that screws onto the valve. Once it's screwed on, you can use both hands to operate the pump.

2. Pumps with a hose that grips onto the valve when you lift a lever. Again, once it's gripping the valve, both hands are free.

3. Pumps that you need to press down onto the valve to seal. The hand that's pressing the pump onto the valve also braces the pump against moving in the direction you're pumping with the other hand so, again, you're using both hands on the pump.

As you say, most pumps are designed to fit multiple valve types. In some cases, you'll need to either change a component in the head or use the correct side of the head so that the pump can lock onto a presta valve, which is narrower than Schraeder. (Actually, there are some presta-specific ones: my mini-pump that I take out on the road only does presta.)

You might find that a track pump is your best choice, since that allows you to pump the cylinder down with both hands, rather than pumping with one hand and steadying with the other. Of course, you can't bring a track pump with you on a ride.

^{Image from Wikipedia; there are plenty of other brands.}