Any tire gauge that's not a PITA?

[racerrad8]

I personally use the Garmin Zumo 595LM with the TPMS and it works great.

Randy - RPM

Randy, does the readout show up on the map page or do you have switch pages?

Noel

The actual pressure readings are on a separate page. If & when a tire is/goes low on pressure, there is a big red warning that pops up over the map and stays there until cleared off the screen. It then keeps the red warning indicator off to the side of the map until the problem is resolved.

Randy - RPM

[Pat Conlon]

A couple of Q's on the Garmin TPMS valve cap transmitters:
Do you unscrew the valve cap to add air to the tire?
Do you need straight short metal tire valve stems or can you use these Garmin caps on your 90* angled valve stem?
With the added weight of the Garmin valve cap, I worry about the centrifugal loads (at speed) cracking the 90* stem.

I prefer the internal transmitters for TPMS. Just a gut feeling.  I have no problem changing the batteries at every other tire change.

I keep thinking, the only thing holding back the air pressure is that Schrader valve. Holding that Schrader valve open for air pressure monitoring makes me nervous. With the Garmin cap, the only thing that keeps air escaping are the threads on the tire stem and perhaps an o ring. This, on a cap you remove and reinstall every time you add air to the tire.

It's just me. Call me nervous Nellie.

I do love the idea of the combined GPS/TPMS functions.

[racerrad8]

Answers in red below

Randy - RPM

A couple of Q's on the Garmin TPMS valve cap transmitters:

Do you unscrew the valve cap to add air to the tire? Yes

Do you need straight short metal tire valve stems or can you use these Garmin caps on your 90* angled valve stem? I have been using them on my 90* stems without issue since I installed those Shinko tires three plus years ago...I finally wore those babies out.

With the added weight of the Garmin valve cap, I worry about the centrifugal loads (at speed) cracking the 90* stem. I believe Rick is/was running the heavier metal "Ride On LED Smart Tire Valve Caps" on his FJ. Not sure if they are on the new bike, but I know they were on the old bike that was lost to fire.

I prefer the internal transmitters for TPMS. Just a gut feeling.  I have no problem changing the batteries at every other tire change. I do have access to a set of BLU TPMS Internal Sensor System that will sync to your smart phone if you have a thought of going that route which was presented in this post: Blowhard

I keep thinking, the only thing holding back the air pressure is that Schrader valve. Holding that Schrader valve open for air pressure monitoring makes me nervous. With the Garmin cap, the only thing that keeps air escaping are the threads on the tire stem and perhaps an o ring. This, on a cap you remove and reinstall every time you add air to the tire. I never had any issue with the tire leaking air out when the bike was in use. I did remove the caps when the bike would sit for any extended length of time and pull the batteries so they were not transmitting a signal all of the time and running the batteries dead.

It's just me. Call me nervous Nellie. Okay

I do love the idea of the combined GPS/TPMS functions.

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Randy, on the internal transmitters for the Blu TPMS, did you ever find out the answer? (batteries replaceable?)

Thanks Randy, the BLU internal system looks interesting.
Question: on the internal transmitters, are the batteries replaceable?

I will have to check with the salesman, I don't know. He is gone until after the first of the year, but I'll find out.

Randy - RPM

[racerrad8]

Thanks Randy, on the internal transmitters for the Blu TPMS, did you ever find out the answer? (batteries replaceable?)

Sorry, I guess I forgot to update that information when the salesman told me. I just called him and he said he has forgotten as well. So, I called Blu directly just now.

No, the batteries are not replaceable on the Blu TPMS. They are sealed units that, according to Blu, depending on use will last between 4-6 years.

Randy - RPM

[Pat Conlon]

Ok, thanks Randy!

If or when Garmin ever offers an internal transmitter option (w/replaceable batteries) for their GPS/TPMS system, I will be first in line to buy one.

Thanks again!

Pat

[FJmonkey]

I am with Pat and will pony up for an internal TPMS from Garmin.

[ribbert]

The actual pressure readings are on a separate page. If & when a tire is/goes low on pressure, there is a big red warning that pops up over the map and stays there until cleared off the screen. It then keeps the red warning indicator off to the side of the map until the problem is resolved.

Randy - RPM

That sounds like a pretty good compromise and keeps the dash a little less cluttered.

Noel

[ZOA NOM]

I used the RPM LED versions, and I liked them. They would need occasional resetting, but they were nice to see you didn't have a low tire with a glance. I haven't put them on the new bike, but I may. I put the 90-degree aluminum valves on at an angle that makes access easy, and I like them a lot.

[Sparky84]

   Why not fit 90 degree valves? They can be fitted without taking the wheel off, just break the bead and push the tyre aside and insert. Screw the nut on, inflate and off you go. Ten minute job if you have the right tools and takes the hassle out of inflating and reading the pressures.
   Regards, Pete.

That sounds quicker than wearing my tyre out and then doing it, what lube would you use once you've installed 90° valves to get the bead to seal again? I've got the valves, got the Garmin, just need the Garmin TPMS

So this TEN minute job doesn't require taking the wheels off then  , otherwise I think its a mighty long TEN minutes

Cheers
Alan

[oldktmdude]

  Why not fit 90 degree valves? They can be fitted without taking the wheel off, just break the bead and push the tyre aside and insert. Screw the nut on, inflate and off you go. Ten minute job if you have the right tools and takes the hassle out of inflating and reading the pressures.
  Regards, Pete.

That sounds quicker than wearing my tyre out and then doing it, what lube would you use once you've installed 90° valves to get the bead to seal again? I've got the valves, got the Garmin, just need the Garmin TPMS

So this TEN minute job doesn't require taking the wheels off then   , otherwise I think its a mighty long TEN minutes

Cheers
Alan

G'day Alan, wheel removal is not required, break the bead with a pair of quick grip clamps (I use Irwin brand) cut old tubeless valve stem off, fit 90* valve, spray with soapy water
or brush with tyre soap and re-inflate.  Bring your 90* valves down to Troy's shed day and I'll give you a demo.
  Regards, Pete.

[Sparky84]

  Why not fit 90 degree valves? They can be fitted without taking the wheel off, just break the bead and push the tyre aside and insert. Screw the nut on, inflate and off you go. Ten minute job if you have the right tools and takes the hassle out of inflating and reading the pressures.
  Regards, Pete.

That sounds quicker than wearing my tyre out and then doing it, what lube would you use once you've installed 90° valves to get the bead to seal again? I've got the valves, got the Garmin, just need the Garmin TPMS

So this TEN minute job doesn't require taking the wheels off then   , otherwise I think its a mighty long TEN minutes

Cheers
Alan

G'day Alan, wheel removal is not required, break the bead with a pair of quick grip clamps (I use Irwin brand) cut old tubeless valve stem off, fit 90* valve, spray with soapy water
or brush with tyre soap and re-inflate.  Bring your 90* valves down to Troy's shed day and I'll give you a demo.
  Regards, Pete.

G'day Pete,
Mate I've only got a couple of the Vise Grip brand of Quick Grips so they mighten do it then...
Do you just angle the 90's straight out to the side or angled back just a touch so you can still get air hose on?

If I have trouble or don't get time and I do make it on the Saturday, I'll definitely bring them down and the Quick Grips.

Cheers
Alan

[red]

Just my $.02 worth, but if you use angled valve stems, they must face valve-forward when the valve stem is closest to the ground, and completely miss the caliper when the wheel is rotating.  If the angled valve stem hits the caliper then, that minor impact would rotate the valve stem slightly, but maybe not do major damage.  If the valve stem faces the wrong way and hits the caliper head-on with the valve cap when the wheel is rotating, that mishap could shear off the valve stem entirely, for an instant flat tire.
.

[ZOA NOM]

Front



Rear

[Sparky84]

Thanks Rick,

Mate did you paint them? and what with if you did?
I think mine are just plain alloy colour and it would be good to have them black.

Now to find some tyre soap and not 5kg of it, might go and see my local tyre mob and take a container

Cheers
Alan