which frame/hand pump do you use?

[gfbikernyc]

Hello
I am relatively new to cycling - got my first road bike last summer and have begun doing longer rides this season and one of the things I need for my longer rides is a hand/frame pump. So what brand/model do you use and what you like/dislike about it?

The bike shops I went to in NYC all recommend Topeak Murph Road pump. I have a Specialized Dolce Sport and couldn't quite figure out how to mount it without sacrificing a bottle cage.

Anyone has experience with Lezyne?

Thanks.

[Chile Pepper]

I carry the Topeak, and I like it for a couple of reasons. First, it lets me use it like a floor pump (I remember sitting in the dirt with my previous pump, pumping and pumping and pumping and not getting anywhere, so yeah, floor pump is good), and second, it gives an indication of pressure (not sure that it's accurate, but it's better than nothing). If you can squint at my profile pic, you'll see it mounted on the top tube of my Madone, with two water bottles in place. It's tight, I guess, but it works.

[Trek-chick]

+1 on the Topeak Road Morph pump. I have one on my Trek 520.

[OakLeaf]

Unless your frame is super small, you shouldn't have to sacrifice a water bottle. The mount that comes with that pump attaches to the water bottle bosses underneath the cage, and the pump sits beside the bottle.

The question would be whether the Q-factor in your cranks is large enough to clear the pump. Most people's are.

I actually opted for a Micro Rocket (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Micro-Rocket-MasterBlaster-Carbon/dp/B000FIAVLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1276683676&sr=1-1) mini-pump as backup to a CO2 system. I don't save any weight that way, but it means I can put my primary inflation in my seat pack and only have the teeny pump on my frame. I don't even notice it. It's functional when I'm out of CO2 cartridges, but I wouldn't want it for my primary - it takes fer-freakin'-EVER and a fair amount of effort to air a tire.

(And FTR, I got it on sale and it matches the bare carbon patches on my frame. :p I am NOT a weight weenie - you should see my multi-tool. :rolleyes: They make the exact same pump in aluminum for $10 or $15 less.)

I am concerned about the waste, but I don't get that many flats (touch wood) and CO2 cylinders are recyclable steel.

[Becky]

I have a similar set up to Oak: a Blackburn AirStik SL (http://www.blackburndesign.com/road_pumps.html#air_stik_sl)and CO2.

[PscyclePath]

Another recommendation for the Topeak Road Morph... I usually carry two to three CO2 cartridges and a micro-inflator, but for long rides, centuries, and tours, I like to pack along my Road Morph. The bracket that comes with it can be zip-tied under your top tube, or you can mount it underneath a bottle cage. I've also had good luck just zip-tying the thing to my rack when I've misplaced the bracket ;-)

[Eden]

Like the others I carry CO2 as my primary on the road inflation, but I just bought a new pump though, because the little emergency backup one I had failed me miserably.

The new one is very small too - its a Topeak Micro Rocket. Supposedly you can get up to 160lbs of pressure out of it, but I sure wouldn't want to have to try.... I did want to be sure that it was possible to at least get the tire pumped up enough to ride on though, so I did ask to test it out before I bought it. It was REI, and they are generally pretty accommodating. They let me take it out and give it a go. I was pretty impressed. For how tiny it is (fits in my seat bag) and how much it feels like a slightly long lipstick, I was able to get a decent tire pressure pretty quick. I was looking at the Leyzene pumps too, but this one is just a titch smaller.

[DebW]

I managed to fit my road morph pump behind the seat tube. I have fenders so it can't end up rubbing the tire. That keeps my top tube free for shoulder carries and doesn't impact the bottle cages. I recently bought a Topeak Pocket Rocket DX (saves 4 oz over the road morph) and managed to fit it in the same bracket behind the seat tube. I still carry the road morph for tours and long rides.

[OakLeaf]

Supposedly you can get up to 160lbs of pressure out of it, but I sure wouldn't want to have to try.

I saw that, too. :D

The seals may very well be good for that much. My upper body strength, OTOH - don't know if my physics is correct or not, but I think with a bore of roughly half a square inch in area, that means you'd have to generate over 300 pounds of force between your hands.

I might be able to leg press that much (1RM). Between my hands, uh, not.

[Norse]

Perhaps I am "living dangerously," but I just carry two CO2 cartridges and no pump. That has always worked fine for me.

[pinkbikes]

I carry the Topeak Micro Rocket on my roadie - mostly for cosmetic reasons - I just loved the carbon fibre look and actually I have found it a great little pump as long as you don't want to use it a lot! It would take a long time to get a tyre super hard! But I carry C02 as well, so really it only performs the "few pumps to get it started" function.

I carry the Topeak Mini Morph on my flatbar roadie and had to sacrifice my second bottle cage. Until this bike I had never had room for a second bottle cage anyway, so I figured I could manage without one, and if the ride was long enough to need more water than that, I could either wear my camelbak (since it was a flatbar and that would be sort of kosher:o) or I would have a backpack and could put the other botttle cage back on and carry the pump in my backpack. Again - I carry C02 so it is really only for emergencies.

DH has the Topeak Mountain Morph on most of his bikes and has it mounted with cable ties on his top tube so he can still fit two bottle cages. But his frame is huge!


Unless your frame is super small, you shouldn't have to sacrifice a water bottle. The mount that comes with that pump attaches to the water bottle bosses underneath the cage, and the pump sits beside the bottle.



Hmm - not so much the case I think. I too had to sacrifice a bottle cage for my Mini Morph because the Morphs seem to come with the centre mount bracket rather than the side mount bracket like the Micro rocket and every other pump I've had for ages!:confused: Maybe you can buy the side mount bracket as a spare part?

[OakLeaf]

Maybe you can buy the side mount bracket as a spare part?

That must be, or maybe they changed, because I know people who have side-mounted Road Morphs.

[nscrbug]

I use a Lezyne frame pump...forgot which model, but it's the high-pressure one and it's quite small. My frame would not accommodate my old Topeak Road Morph G, so I gave it to my husband since it fits on his frame just fine. One of the reasons that I chose the Lezyne for my bike, is the fact that the pump head is attached to a flexible "hose" (that stashes inside the pump when not in use), instead of to the pump itself...which means less chance of breaking off a tire valve.

For a floor pump, we've been using a Topeak Joe Blow pump for a few years...been very happy with it. Got it at Performance Bike for about $30.

ETA - my Topeak Road Morph did NOT come with a side mount bottle cage bracket, nor could I find one that would work with it. My husband has no choice but to sacrifice a bottle cage in order to mount the pump on the his bike.

[Crankin]

I had a Road Morph on my 47 cm Trek 5200. At one point I had it mounted under the top tube and then it was on the side (down tube). I had 2 bottles, too. I think DH made an adapter to put it on the side.
I use CO2 exclusively, now. I carry 3 cartridges all of the time. Putting the pump on my Kuota just didn't work, even though it is a little bit bigger. Since I have had 2 flats in 10 years, it's fine. I have the pump in my pannier, on my flat bar Jamis.

[MtnBikerChk]

ETA - my Topeak Road Morph did NOT come with a side mount bottle cage bracket, nor could I find one that would work with it. My husband has no choice but to sacrifice a bottle cage in order to mount the pump on the his bike.

if you call Topeak they'll send you a couple of side mount water bottle cage brackets for free - they did for me!

having said that I put it on my husband's bike LOL

I think a new carbon pump would look nice on my new carbon frame!

[nscrbug]

if you call Topeak they'll send you a couple of side mount water bottle cage brackets for free - they did for me!

having said that I put it on my husband's bike LOL

I think a new carbon pump would look nice on my new carbon frame!

I actually did try contacting Topeak via email...in their reply I was told that they would be happy to send out a side mount bracket for $6.95 + shipping.

[Eden]

I saw that, too. :D

The seals may very well be good for that much. My upper body strength, OTOH - don't know if my physics is correct or not, but I think with a bore of roughly half a square inch in area, that means you'd have to generate over 300 pounds of force between your hands.

I might be able to leg press that much (1RM). Between my hands, uh, not.

:D it takes my full body weight forcibly applied a floor pump to get 140 psi into my TT wheels.....

I was mainly impressed by that number as my old pump would put about 40lbs of pressure in the tire before it started popping off the valve stem.... useless.... but claims are one thing and the real world is another, which is why I insisted on testing it before I bought it.

[tzvia]

Lezyne makes a mini floor pump much like the Topeak, but much nicer looking. All aluminum, built-in gauge, comes with side bracket for mounting next to water bottle. My brother has one and swears by it.

That being said, I just use a Topeak DX Master Blaster on the road bike, as it's small enough without being so small that it would take two lifetimes to fill up the tire (takes only one lifetime.) One day, I will break down and get the Lezyne mini floor pump. I can't use the non-floor ones with a small hose for two reasons. First, the Lezyne one does not have a fold out T handle- this is a big issue with me. T handles are much easier to pump. Also, the only way I am going to get serious pressure is if I lean the tire on something, so that the head of the pump is pressed against a rock or pole- so I can push against that. Holding the pump with one hand opposing the other would never work for me.

On the commuter, I use a Zephal Carbon frame pump. I would use one on the road bike too, but the curved CF frame just does not accommodate one :(. Frame pumps rule when it comes to getting air from biosphere to tube.

[oz rider]

I have a Road Morph too and was disappointed with the centre mount. My mechanic had a side mount bracket that he didn't need so gave it to me. It works well, although it's huge on a little frame and the foot pad broke off on mine so it's in the spares box.

The current one is a Pocket Rocket DX which is a nicer fit and works ok up to around 80 psi but hard going over that. I'm currently deciding between a mini Morph (friend has one and likes it) and Lezyne pressure drive (smaller and lighter) for touring. Think it will be the Lezyne which was the best pump on a local test and friends have the mini that they're happy with.

[MtnBikerChk]

I actually did try contacting Topeak via email...in their reply I was told that they would be happy to send out a side mount bracket for $6.95 + shipping.

maybe they've gotten too big for themselves :(

you could always call them and say it doesn't fit your frame and you'd like to return the pump for a refund :D

[Catrin]

:D it takes my full body weight forcibly applied a floor pump to get 140 psi into my TT wheels.....

140 PSI :eek: That is a LOT of pumping!

[PamNY]

I have a Road Morph which I acquired when it fell off some guy's bike.

So I'd make sure yours is securely attached (if you get one).

[gfbikernyc]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I will give Lezyne a try - the micro floor pump is one cool looking pump :-))