This thing is awesome. Operation is very simple and very effective. The valve-looking end (wider part) screws onto the schrader valve. The screw-looking end (narrower part) screws into the pump. Fill up the tire/fork as necessary. When you're done, unscrew the valve-looking end. You'll hear a teeny tiny 'fftt' of air that's barely audible, and your tire/fork will have just the amount of pressure you wanted it to have.
This is essential for forks and great for any bike tire, too. Bike tires are so small compared to car tires that they loose a significant amount of pressure whenever you release the lever on the pump, so I normally use an electric pump and keep it running while I release the lever. I don't even like checking the pressure on bike tires because in the process of checking, the pressure will go down. But this thing will let me fill my tires to the desired pressure even with a hand pump.
Honestly, I like the idea of using this on ANYTHING that has a schrader valve. I want to buy a second one of these to keep with my car pump. It has a screw-on attachment rather than a lever release, so a reasonable amount of air is lost when you take it off because it's not quick like a lever would be. But with this pressure-rite adaptor, I won't have any pressure issues anymore! Whoever had the idea for this was a genius.
Added Comment 7/14/10:
When using this product with an air compressor at high pressures (e.g., 120 psi), you might hear a lot of air leaking out as you unscrew the adapter (at least that's what it does with my pump). As far as I can tell, this air is NOT from the tire, but it is excess air in the pump. If I remove the adapter quickly enough, I can still hear air coming out after the adapter is completely removed from the tire (which means the air is coming from the pump and not the tire). So the adapter works great, but it might take a little bit of getting used to with an air compressor. Plus, most people use hand pumps instead of air compressors for bikes, anyway. Topeak Pressure-Rite Anti-Air Loss Connector
If you have a Trikke or any vehicle that uses a high pressure tube, this connector is a MUST! I use a Campbell Hausfeld rechargeable pump but its "quick connect" is not quick enough to keep 85psi in my tire when I release it. The Topeak keeps a good seal until the last threads are unscrewed and I don't even loose one pound of pressure. Works great and the price is right! Keeps my three Trikkes carving.
I ordered this at the same time as I ordered my Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor ([...]), because the reviews for that pump all mentioned that the included hose had to be screwed onto the tire stem, and I didn't want to have half of the air I just pumped into my tire escape while I tried to disconnect the pump.
So once I got my new compressor, I went ahead and tried to use this adapter with it, and got pretty decent results. In case it's not clear from the product description, you start by screwing the small end into your air compressor hose, and then screw the big end onto your tire stem. (You don't have to twist the whole adapter around to screw it onto the tire -- there's a free-rotating cap on the end that does all the twisting).
Once you're done filling your tire, you unscrew the big end from the tire stem, and replace the stem cap. As you unscrew the big end from the tire stem, you will hear a small amount of air escaping, but the valve embedded in the adapter keeps this to a minimum.
Anyhow, when I tried to use this adapter with my air compressor, I did have some difficulty getting the small end to attach squarely with the air compressor. However, even with the adapter slightly crooked (1-2 threads off), it still did the job with no problems. The adapter attached to my car's tire (a 2006 Honda Civic) without any fuss at all.
As one of the previous reviewers mentioned, using this adapter may introduce some inaccuracy into your pump's built-in air gauge, so you may need to check your results with an independent air gauge. (Built-in air gauges usually stink anyways, so this is often a good idea regardless of whether or not you use this adapter.)
Long story short, I may try filling my car tires without this adapter next time, and see how it goes. I'm not sorry I bought it, though I would suggest to other prospective buyers that they wait to purchase this product until they know they'll need it. I can definitely see how it would be useful for bike tires and in tight spaces, though, and would recommend it wholeheartedly for that.
Very high-quality design/construction, so I give it five stars.
after reading some of the past reviews, this item appears to be a great complement to the vlair air compressor. however, when items arrived the topeak actually cannot be used with the vlair air compressor. the vlair unit already has the screw type connector and the male thread of the topeak is too small. do not buy if you intend to use with vlair air compressors.
I have an 8 inch tire on a bike trailer that has 1 inch clearance between the end of the valve and hub. Couldn't find any pump to fit in that tight space so I just used it with the tire flat.
This little device just fits in that 1 inch clearance and allows any air pump to be attached. Obviously, the trailer rolls much better now.
The additional feature is that when the device is removed off the valve stem, there is virtually no air loss.
I'm extremely satisfied with it.
Purchased a Joovy Ergo Caboose Stroller. It has small inflatable 8" tires with no clearance to inflate with a regular pump. It comes with an impossible to use hand pump. When I unscrew the pump after pumping about 50+ times the tires get soft again. With this device it's a snap.
***A Must Have For All Small Inflatable Tires!*** - Tire Inflator - Portable 12v Air Compressor - Cycling'
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