Any tire gauge that's not a PITA?

[Charlie-brm]

This should be so simple but I've yet to find a satisfactory tire gauge for the FJ, well probably for my previous motorcycle either. Because of the angle they use, the pencil type hit against the brake disc or a spoke unless I bend the valve stem unnaturally. I've had the most satisfaction from a compact digital because it fits in there and doesn't need much pressure to hit the valve, but the display times out before I can pull the gauge back out where I can read it.

I guess I might have to get a bulky one with a hose and that dial they surround with a baby tractor tire but they've still got a bad angle and applying steady pressure to get a good reading is a chore.

[FJmonkey]

I use one like this.

It holds the pressure reading till you release it. I also have a cheap digital one that displays long enough, so they are out there.

[Rich Pleines]

Just realized that if I click on the image of the gauge it takes me to Amazon so I can purchase it. Nice!! Rich

[aviationfred]

I carry one of those that has the tractor tire around it. It works well for me. I got mine at Cycle Gear.


Fred

[red]

This should be so simple but I've yet to find a satisfactory tire gauge for the FJ, well probably for my previous motorcycle either. Because of the angle they use, the pencil type hit against the brake disc or a spoke unless I bend the valve stem unnaturally. I've had the most satisfaction from a compact digital because it fits in there and doesn't need much pressure to hit the valve, but the display times out before I can pull the gauge back out where I can read it.

Charlie,

Screw all the gauges and hoses, just get a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) for bikes and glance at it before each ride.  I mean really, how many riders here check both tire pressures after every gas or piss stop?  Most TPMS will have alarms for low tire pressure (whatever pressure you set), and automatic shut-downs when not riding.  Whether you get internal or external sensors for each wheel, make sure you get a system that uses replaceable batteries (some early TPMS had sensors that you had to throw away when the battery died).

[Charlie-brm]

I carry one of those that has the tractor tire around it. It works well for me. I got mine at Cycle Gear.


Fred

Nice. That doesn't have extra useless bulk on the housing like the ones I mean. Another distinguishing feature is the head for the valve is at 90 degrees to the hose, not straight inline like most of this type. I like the limited pressure range for the detail. The only unfortunate thing is that most of the search hits are to Amazon and it shows "Discontinued" and at Cycle Gear it is sold out. No Google hits to a Stockton company.

I found a pencil type in the mean time that has the usual angle and a reverse angle fitting i.e. like a hook, so you pull back on the gauge when it's over the valve. My inflater has that dual end and it works well.

More importantly, I got in over 6 hours of riding today. Got to cram it all in this month before the doctors tell me to take it easy and no riding for maybe the rest of the season. Geez, we just sit on these things. It's not like we're pedaling.

[racerrad8]

We use this gauge for our race cars as well as the fj's for most of my forty years of racing. We would get a new one at least once a year since we used the heck out of them including bouncing them off the ground.

http://www.longacreracing.com/products.aspx?itemid=1716&prodid=7313&pagetitle=Basic-2"-Tire-Gauge

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Randy - RPM

[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.

[aviationfred]

That is a bummer that the Stockton digital gauge is out of stock. Here is another option.

https://www.cyclegear.com/accessories/stockton-tire-air-pressure-gauge-with-hose

Fred

[JMR]

We use this gauge for our race cars as well as the fj's for most of my forty years of racing. We would get a new one at least once a year since we used the heck out of them including bouncing them off the ground.

http://www.longacreracing.com/products.aspx?itemid=1716&prodid=7313&pagetitle=Basic-2"-Tire-Gauge

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Randy - RPM

I have also had excellent experience with the Longacre gauges

[ribbert]

   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.

You're absolutely right Pete, problem solved, but don't use the rubber ones. If you take a long time to wear out a front tyre or you don't remember to support the back of the valve stem while pushing gauge or inflator over it, you can damage the valve.

This front tyre fully deflated at high speed on a short straight between two fast corners. By the time I came to rest, as quickly as the rear brake would stop me, the tyre was dead flat.



Weird thing here is that the valve was near new ( I replace them with every tyre change), I don't use a tyre gauge on it, I always support it from behind when inflating, I know the tyre guy well, it was an expensive Italian valve, not cheap Chinese.

As for a gauge, I use an old pencil type unit, I think it was my fathers. It has a lovely fluid like dampened action and the indicator doesn't flop around (like the new ones) it is all metal.

For a tyre inflator, I made my own, I have other wheels worse than the FJ to get to.




But, as Red said, TPMS is the way to go, I have it on two bikes and it has saved me considerable inconvenience many times and more importantly, saved my arse on a number of occasions in what could have spectacular spills after rapid or unnoticed air loss.
I have the sealed for life in-wheel senders that also send temperature. The lasted 7 years.

The most important feature of TPMS is to get a head unit that can be clearly read at a glance at speed in the sunlight and that excludes a surprising number of them. You want one that displays both tyre pressures 100% of the time, not something you have scroll to get to, like a phone app or some other multi function feature.



I'm not fussed about oil temp or pressure (nothing I can do about either one of them) but I do take great comfort in knowing my tyre pressures while travelling, particularly on the open road.
I've had mine a long time and they have probably come down in price and improved in features by now.

And while on the subject, carry a puncture kit at all times, check it annually ( the glue hardens and the plugs dry up) and if going out of town or on a trip, make sure your, or at least one person in your group has a compressor.

A flat tyre on a bike can really stuff your day up if you can't fix it roadside.

Noel

[red]

But, as Red said, TPMS is the way to go, I have it on two bikes and it has saved me considerable inconvenience many times and more importantly, saved my arse on a number of occasions in what could have spectacular spills after rapid or unnoticed air loss.  I have the sealed for life in-wheel senders that also send temperature. The lasted 7 years.
The most important feature of TPMS is to get a head unit that can be clearly read at a glance at speed in the sunlight and that excludes a surprising number of them. You want one that displays both tyre pressures 100% of the time, not something you have scroll to get to, like a phone app or some other multi function feature.  A flat tyre on a bike can really stuff your day up if you can't fix it roadside.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8098/29963681645_55086d3a95_c.jpg
Noel

.
Also, if you want to keep things looking simpler, some GPS units have a TPMS capability now.  The GPS unit which you own may have that feature, or it may be available from the manufacturer as a software or firmware upgrade.  Then all you need will be the compatible sensors for the wheels, and the GPS maker can advise on that part.
.

[racerrad8]

   Why not fit 90 degree valves?
Regards, Pete.

You're absolutely right Pete, problem solved, but don't use the rubber ones. If you take a long time to wear out a front tyre or you don't remember to support the back of the valve stem while pushing gauge or inflator over it, you can damage the valve.

This front tyre fully deflated at high speed on a short straight between two fast corners. By the time I came to rest, as quickly as the rear brake would stop me, the tyre was dead flat.



Noel

Like these all metal 90* stems available in both silver and black: 10mm Aluminum Valve Stem 90*



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

Randy - RPM

[ribbert]

Also, if you want to keep things looking simpler, some GPS units have a TPMS capability now. 

[/quote]

I looked into that recently, I think you have to scroll to the read out though. That be enough for some and as you say, a neater look.

[ribbert]

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