I don't seem to have this problem. If you move the bike forward until the valve is at the bottom, then there's plenty of space for the steel end of the inflator. My problem was that my digital guage wouldn't fit between the spokes, but my old pencil type guage fits o.k., & it's accurate. Also, I usually check my pressure in the garage, then use my old foot pump if it's needed. It only takes around 10 pumps for every pound of pressure, so I've never bothered getting an electric pump. I even check the car's pressure in the garage, then use the foot pump. Old habits die hard.