What kind of "on the bike" pump do you ladies use?

[kaian]

A while ago, I purchased a "mini" bike pump to mount on my road bike in case of flats. I think it's the Topeak Master Blaster DX. The other day I tried using it to put some air in my tires (just to see how it worked). I could not get air into the tires! Now, I consider myself strong and in shape and I couldn't believe this! So...I'm considering getting something else. I have considered a CO2 system, but am not sure. Any recommendations? Something small and mountable would be good and something with a guage would be great, too. Thanks!

[DeniseGoldberg]

I use a Topeak Road Morph. It carries like a frame pump, but it pumps like a floor pump - so there's no problem getting your tires up to the desired pressure. It's definitely bigger than your mini-pump, but I think the size is far outweighed by the function.

--- Denise

[newfsmith]

I also use a Road Morph, one of the nicest birthday presents I ever got. It is almost as fast as my floor pump. Topeak also makes a Mountain Morph, and this year they are bringing out a smaller Morph that might fit a small frame better.

[Fuji Girl]

I'm not sure if the MB Dx has a "Smarthead", which adapts to both a Presta valvle (long and skinny) and a Schraeder valve (short and cylindical, like a valve on a car tire). Depending on what kind of tires you use, you may have to switch the little mechanism inside the pump head.

Or maybe you just don't like it.


A while ago, I purchased a "mini" bike pump to mount on my road bike in case of flats. I think it's the Topeak Master Blaster DX. The other day I tried using it to put some air in my tires (just to see how it worked). I could not get air into the tires! Now, I consider myself strong and in shape and I couldn't believe this! So...I'm considering getting something else. I have considered a CO2 system, but am not sure. Any recommendations? Something small and mountable would be good and something with a guage would be great, too. Thanks!

[Triskeliongirl]

Currently I use C02. I did use a topeak road morph, which works great when it works, but after having 2 fail on me switched over to C02.

[madisongrrl]

CO2 on my road bike...I'm impatient. Tubeless on my mt. bike

[Starfish]

Can't remember the brand/model off hand, but carry a larger pump that still is frame mount, but has the foot peg and flexible hose to work like a floor pump. It is big and looks dorky (I have a small, compact frame, so the pump is actually on *top* of my top tube), but it really fills the tire up. I still carry a cartridge, because it is so fast & easy, and the pump is the backup.

But, I used to have a sexy little mini-pump and carried a cartridge. Then, one day about 30 miles from home without any services and spotty cell coverage on the direct route home, I had a blowout. For some reason (the first & only time since) my cartridge malfunctioned (or I screwed it up) and I could only get my tire up to mushy with my sexy little frame-pump (and it took forever). With a mushy, booted, cut tire, after a 30 mile trip out, and a tire change in the sun, it was a long ride home. After that I got the dorky, but effective, pump. I also mounted a 3rd bottle cage on the bottom of the down tube, where the sexy little pump used to be. I feel much more prepared now.

[KnottedYet]

$7 used Zefal from Recycled Cycles that is so big it won't fit on my frame. (it has the little socket for the old-style brazed-on frame pump peg) I carry it in my pannier.

[Trek420]

Torelli Mini-pump (it actually works!), followed by Planet Bike CO2 thingie, and if both of those fail there's the Fredwina Athena team car with spare bikes and wheels and a mechanic following me. :cool: :rolleyes: :p ;)

[kiwi girl]

Topeak Road Moprh - the only on the bike pump I have ever managed to get my road tyres up to any sort of decent pressure with

[KnottedYet]

Does the Fredwina Athena team car carry hot, no foam, whole milk, double split-shot lattes, too?

Cuz, y'know, anything less just wouldn't do.....

Oh, and I need the team car to have a pedicurist and a leg-waxer. Those are two jobs I just can't seem to keep up with, and I'm sure my aerodynamics suffer because of it.

Eyebrow wax, too.

Back on topic (while still dreaming up Team Fredwina Athena): I have big ol' cyclocross tires, which I'm sure have saved me a few punctures on my commute to work. I'm one of those folks who sees glittering broken glass on the road and does the magpie routine; "ooooh, shiney things, ride over them with BOTH tires!"

[maryellen]

ano vote for road morph. And i've learned the hard way that it is a good idea to test your frame pump occasionally.

[tattiefritter]

Just changed from a mini pump to a frame pump myself, same reason couldn't for the life of me get the tyre up to any decent pressure and ended up bending the valve :mad: before limping home slowly. I have used mini pumps on my mtb tyres with no problems but for the road bike, no chance, pumping away like a madwoman and got nowhere (why does it always happen in the dodgy areas where you really don't want to be hanging around?) . I went for a Zefal HPX which fits, just, in my 44cm compact frame. Which reminds me, I need to test it.....

[kaian]

Thanks for all the suggestions. What kind of mount does the Topeak Road Morph come with? Is it something that can fit on water bottle mounts or does it have it's own system that I would have to strap elsewhere? I have a 47cm WSD frame, so I don't want anything too huge or something that is difficult to mount.

Anyone know if the smaller version mentioned by newfsmith is available and if so, what it's called?

I usually ride with a friend (who has a CO2 pump) or with a group. I always carry a patch kit, tire levers and a pump, but I have never had to use the pump. Good think I checked it out at home and not out on the road!

[Blueberry]

My road morph (which is on my 52cm cannondale) came with a mount that will wrap around any tube. I've seen people put them all sorts of creative places - mine lives under the top tube. Just have to make sure that you don't interfere with the cable routing.

[Crankin]

My road morph is on the side of the down tube of my 47 cm wsd. It was on the top of the top tube (ouch), but it doesn't fit on the down side of the top tube because of the water bottle cages. It works (though i have not had to use it on the road) well. I am small and can easily pump my tires to 100 psi.
I would be interested in a smaller sized one, but wonder if it will work. I also carry a CO2 cartridge, but I don't know if I remember how to work it!

Robyn

[Melody]

On both bikes, I carry both a co2 system and a bicycle pump. The co2 system is now a silca co2 adapter (http://www.bicycletires.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jqgperg4) that I bought from my LBS. I've had problems with other systems and after talking to the guys at the LBS, this is what they use. Instead of a button or trigger, it has a large knob attached screw to control the valve. This allows for either a slow or fast fill depending on what you need. It also allows you to stow the system in your seat bag without worry that the trigger or button will get smooshed letting out all of your co2. The adapter is made of brass (not plastic!) and came with a screw on schrader to co2 adapter (also made of brass) that attached to your schrader valve on the bike.

For the pump itself, on the Bianchi (which is my commuter), I also have a Topeak Road Morph and like it quite a bit, however I don't like the mount that it came with. Since I have panniers I just store the pump there.

On Silver (my lightspeed) I have a Topeak Master Blaster frame pump which has a high volume/high pressure selector. Since I don't have panniers on this bike, I don't have the Road Morph, though I like it better as a pump. Being able to use my weight to inflate is a plus. ;) And there's alot of weight to use. :cool:

Since I don't have a gauge to check tire pressure, I typically carry a pressure guage. The one I like most is my "Accu-Gage" (http://www.bikeworld.com/products/369/401/Accu-Gage-Presta-Dual-Scale-Gauge.html) which is also made of brass, not plastic. I don't remember where I picked it up but it would have been one of the LBS in the area. Unfortunately this one is Presta only.

Mel

[Trek420]

KnottedYet asks does "the Fredwina Athena team car carry hot, no foam, whole milk, double split-shot lattes, too?

Cuz, y'know, anything less just wouldn't do.....

Oh, and I need the team car to have a pedicurist and a leg-waxer. Those are two jobs I just can't seem to keep up with, and I'm sure my aerodynamics suffer because of it.

Eyebrow wax, too."

we can negotiate that into your contract.

[KnottedYet]

Good to know, good to know...:D

[bikerz]

I have the road morph too, and I've used it to fully inflate a replaced tire to 120 psi on a ride - no problem. It is on the side of the tube the seat post goes into (I don't know what that piece of baike anatomy is ofically called) and I just have to be sure it is snug and rotated, otherwise sometimes my pedal will knock into it which is annoying!

[Geonz]

The road morph (I have one too, LOVE IT although it does take me a little to switch it back and forth from Presta to Schrader) has something or other to go on the frame, tho' its a little long. I carry it in my camelbak or the in my Xtracycle 'cause I'm not exactly monogamous with my bikes.

[Nanci]

Road Morph, mounted under top tube on 47" frame.

Nanci

[kaian]

I bought a Topeak Road Morph today at my local REI and cannot seem to find a good place to mount it on my bike! I have a Trek 1500 (WSD) 47cm. The down tube is pretty big (wide) and the mount that came with the pump won't stretch over it to fit snug, not to mention I can't seem to clear the two cables running underneath. I can't seem to mount it on the underside of the top tube because of my water bottles (and one of my cages is a side entry/exit cage). I was looking at my seat tube, but it's a bit long to mount there, and it would have to be off to the side!

The pump works great, but it looks like I'll have a problem carrying it. I thought of trying the mini morph (it's a little shorter), but I'm not sure!

If anyone has any creative ideas for me mounting this thing, that would be great or if anyone has had luck with the mini morph, let me know. Thanks!!!!!:D

[Triskeliongirl]

I carry it with the mount that came for a vistalite sticklike battery. Its something that screws under the water bottle cage, and holds the pump with a plastic support secured with a velcro band.

[Starfish]

The only place I can fit my frame pump (due to small triange and H2O interference) is on top of the top tube. Strangely, I have enough stand-over so that this works...the top tube really slants. It looks odd, especially with my Bento Box on there too, but it works. I just secured the plastic mount with a couple of zip ties.

[donnambr]

I plan to pick the Road Morph up at the REI sale, myself. Someone told me that the mount that it comes with doesn't work too well anyway and to use something else. I haven't figured out yet what that is going to be.

[kiwi girl]

I mount mine on the side of the seat tube. It only just fits length ways on my bike. I couldn't use the mount it came with because it wasn't snug enough and I have to be very particular how I mount it to still get pedal clearance - but it does work

[kaian]

So...those of you who have the road morph who do not use the mount that came with it - how did you mount it on your bike?

[DeniseGoldberg]

I plan to pick the Road Morph up at the REI sale, myself. Someone told me that the mount that it comes with doesn't work too well anyway and to use something else. I haven't figured out yet what that is going to be.
In my experience the mount that comes with the Road Morph works fine. Why not try it before you search for an alternative mount? If there's a problem with snugness on the tube you mount it on, you can try wrapping a piece of inner tube around the frame first.

--- Denise

[Grog]

The Road Morph didn't fit my bike (small with very sloped tube) either, and I tried EVERYTHING (except the on-top-of-the-top-tube solution I just read about), following advice from fellow TEers. So I carry CO2 on short rides or group rides or with the boyfriend (he has a pump on his frame) and on very long rides when I'll be by myself on long stretches of road with little or no civilization, I carry the Morph in the back pocket of my jersey (which, surprisingly, is less uncomfortable than you would think).

When I come back home (I'm currently at the foot of the Alps!!) I'll try the over-the-top solution... Hum.

[Fredwina]

Topeak sell an alternative mount that lets you put a Road Morph to the side of a bottel Cage. That's what I did to get on a Bike Friday. I bleive it's called the "classic mount.

[kaian]

Hmmm...I wonder where I would find this classic mount. I don't see anything about it on the Topeak website. Gee...who knew this would be so complicated. Luckily I won't be doing any long rides by myself for another month.

[stella]

Hmmm...I wonder where I would find this classic mount. I don't see anything about it on the Topeak website. Gee...who knew this would be so complicated. Luckily I won't be doing any long rides by myself for another month.

kaian,
I have the classic mount and do not use it. i'd be willing to swap w/you. drop me a pm.

stella

[Fredwina]

They keep it well hidden. I wound up sending Todson (US importer) an e-mail and they told me the secret code. Not the most friendly set up.
From my e-mail:
Response:

Hi,

You may purchase that replacement part from the Todson Online Store: http://www.todson.com/store, under part number: 60001004

Happy riding!

I just clicked on the store link. It's down, but they have an 800 number:
800-213-4561

[SnappyPix]

Heard such brilliant reviews for this pump, which is the next best thing (apparently) to taking your track pump out with you.

The downside is it's bigger than a mini-pump, but I haven't actually physically seen one.
Keen to check it out when I get back to the UK though.

http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=21208

Here's the link to their website:
http://www.cyclaire.com/howto.html

They ship overseas, apparently, for a £5 shipping charge.

[CorsairMac]

OK - I bought the Road Morph this weekend - got a Great deal on it at REIs anniversary sale and I won't Even tell you why I got it after being the worlds Biggest advocate for CO2 cartridges!

Anyway: I drift

I went to use it this morning as a test before taking it on the road and I couldn't get my tire pumped up!! :( :( So I need to ask - which direction is "locked" on the thumb lock: up or down? There weren't any directions with the pump cept for how to switch from presta to schreader and how to mount on the bike, and the pump head wouldn't stay on my stem no matter what I did. I ended up inflating my tire with my big standing floor pump. and praying that I didn't need the Road Morph before I got to work since it didn't seem to work! any help here is appreciated! :(

[stella]

CorsairMac,

try thumbs up...that should work.

let us know how is goes!

stella

OK - I bought the Road Morph this weekend - got a Great deal on it at REIs anniversary sale and I won't Even tell you why I got it after being the worlds Biggest advocate for CO2 cartridges!

Anyway: I drift

I went to use it this morning as a test before taking it on the road and I couldn't get my tire pumped up!! :( :( So I need to ask - which direction is "locked" on the thumb lock: up or down? There weren't any directions with the pump cept for how to switch from presta to schreader and how to mount on the bike, and the pump head wouldn't stay on my stem no matter what I did. I ended up inflating my tire with my big standing floor pump. and praying that I didn't need the Road Morph before I got to work since it didn't seem to work! any help here is appreciated! :(

[Grog]

I went to use it this morning as a test before taking it on the road and I couldn't get my tire pumped up!! :( :( So I need to ask - which direction is "locked" on the thumb lock: up or down? There weren't any directions with the pump cept for how to switch from presta to schreader and how to mount on the bike, and the pump head wouldn't stay on my stem no matter what I did. I ended up inflating my tire with my big standing floor pump. and praying that I didn't need the Road Morph before I got to work since it didn't seem to work! any help here is appreciated! :(

You lock on the opposite side of the tire, so it depends if you're using the grey (presta) or black (shreader) side.

I finally found a small pump that fits my frame in France, a tiny Zefal that was recommended to me, and it has a pressure-gage on it. It has bottle-cage mounts, so that's great! However, my bottle-cage screws were too short so in the meantime I had to take the bottle-cage out (I still have one on the vertical tube). I'll find screws soon I hope!!

[Fredwina]

I had to use my road morph yesterday. It was problem getting to seat on a tube, I hadn't had that problem before, but I had blowout on the front going 30mph (not fun!) wound up destroying a tube or two before I got it working. Just make sure it's seated good before you start pumping away.

[kiwi girl]

Hey Snappy

I've found the Road Morph here (in Christchurch at least)

[Bike Goddess]

Road Morph for both of my road bikes. Now even some of the guys in my club have them (after teasing me for getting one!).

Mine is mounted on the down tube next to my water bottle on one of my bikes- on the left side. The other is mounted on the seat tube also by my water bottle (on the left side). Depends on size of your frame. My carbon bike has a big top tube so I couldn't put anything there. Just put it somewhere so you won't notice it when you are cycling!

[CorsairMac]

Guess I wasn't clear on my question: the nozzle won't stay on the stem. I tried it with the lever up and the lever down but every time I pushed on the pump the nozzle flew off. Hecks Becks the nozzle wouldn't even stay on the stem without pumping. I was able to take the nozzle off the stem no matter what position I had the lever in. I also ended up losing all the air out of the tire from the *&)*$#*%# nozzle! lol I talked to another rider here who has the same pump and she has the same problem. She even took her Road Morph in to the LBS and They couldn't get it to stay on the stem either - so we're wondering what we're doing wrong?? :confused:

[Fredwina]

I usually try and squeeze the tire/tube from the bottom/tread, and the pump from the top when I put it on. it is a tight fit. You are leavng the lever down when you put it on the stem , and then flip the lever up?(I know that sounds silly, but it also sounds like something I would do!) I was having some problems with getting mine on the tubes yesterday, but that may been nerves on my part.

[CorsairMac]

I usually try and squeeze the tire/tube from the bottom/tread, and the pump from the top when I put it on. it is a tight fit. You are leavng the lever down when you put it on the stem , and then flip the lever up?(I know that sounds silly, but it also sounds like something I would do!) I was having some problems with getting mine on the tubes yesterday, but that may been nerves on my part.

Well I can try that. At one point yesterday I was "holding" the nozzle on the stem to try and get air in the tire but as soon as I let go the nozzle just fell off the stem and the tire was still flat. I even took the tire off the bike and tried to inflate it but the stupid nozzle just didn't want to stay on the stem. If worse comes to worse - I got it at REI, I'll just take it back and trade it for another CO2 holster and cartridges!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Well I can try that. At one point yesterday I was "holding" the nozzle on the stem to try and get air in the tire but as soon as I let go the nozzle just fell off the stem and the tire was still flat. I even took the tire off the bike and tried to inflate it but the stupid nozzle just didn't want to stay on the stem. If worse comes to worse - I got it at REI, I'll just take it back and trade it for another CO2 holster and cartridges!
I've never had the kind of problems you're describing with my RoadMorph.

This is probably a really silly question on my part - as in I'm sure you've already checked this - but here goes... the RoadMorph can handle either presta or schraeder valves - but you have to flip a part over to switch from one to the other (unless, of course, they've made a change to the pump since I bought mine). Is the pump set up for the right type of valve?

Here's a link to a picture from their support site:
converting pump heads between presta & schraeder (http://www.todson.com/support/index.php?pid=file&fileid=2)

--- Denise

[CorsairMac]

It never hurts to ask - but yes the pump head is set for the right type of valve. A riding friend of mine looked at it last night and he noticed when you push the lever into lock, nothing happens inside the head.....I'm taking it to REI today and have them look at it and either show me how to use it - or replace it.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I kind of figured you had the pump head set correctly. I'd love to know what is causing it to misbehave - but you'd probably like to know more than me! Hopefully a replacement pump will solve the problem.

--- Denise

[CorsairMac]

Well - I went to REI and we were alll SOOOO close. I'm guessing those of you with the Road Morph just never thought about it coz it was perfectly normal to you but..................................


the end piece pops out real easy on my pump but there is a rubber sleeve that has to come out with it. Depending on which type of valve you have determines how the end piece fits into the rubber sleeve. So yeah - I had the right side but it wasn't fitted into the rubber sleeve correctly. Once the kid showed me the unit as a whole - it made perfect sense to me. And in the case of my pump, the rubber sleeve doesn't just "pop" out, you have to kinda "dig" it out, flip it around and then fit the end piece and the sleeve back into the pump head! I won't get a chance to "try" it and make sure it works until after the Ride of Silence tonight (don't want to risk not being able to ride coz my tire is flat lol) but my intent is to deflate one of my tires at home and try the pump to make sure it works. I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions, we were all of us so close I knew it had to be something really simple!!

[stella]

Corsair,
I am glad it was as simple solution!

[kaian]

Still can't figure out where to mount my road morph. It's just so bulky for my small bike! Seems to stick out no matter where I try to put it!

Have any smaller women had luck with a narrower frame pump that I can fit underneath my top tube? Something easy to pump that will fit a Trek 47cm frame?

I love the road morph, but it just seems to bulky for me! I hate to take it back, but...I've tried holding it up to various places on my bike and it just seems HUGE! :confused:

[ladyfish]

I just mounted mine on my Specialized Dolce Comp 48". I tried it on the down tube (straight down from the seat post) but didn't like it there, because sometimes my leg would rub on it. So then I mounted it on the slanted tube (I don't know the technical terms here) that goes from the middle of the bike (near the pedals) up to the front fork. I mounted it just to the left of my water bottle holder that is on the inside of that tube. It fits just fine, and is out of the way--I checked to make sure my toes didn't brush it as I pedal (if you mount it there, be sure not to put the mounting bracket over the brake/shifter cables--I just ran the bracket under the wires, so they can move freely).

So that's my suggestion. I could have mounted it on the underside of the top tube (the one horizontal to the ground from seat to handlebars) but then it would have interferred with getting my water bottles out, since that is a tight fit with two holders as it is.

I do like the pump--it sure works nicely.

[kaian]

Yeah, I have cables that are smack dab in the middle of that tube. I can't really mount it there w/out messing with the cables and I don't want to do that! Plus, on my bike, that tube is really thick and the mount doesn't really fit around it very well. :mad:

[DeniseGoldberg]

I love the road morph, but it just seems to bulky for me! I hate to take it back, but...I've tried holding it up to various places on my bike and it just seems HUGE! :confused:
Topeak came out with a smaller version of the Road Morph called the MiniMorph (http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/minipumps/minimorph.php). I wonder if you'd have a better chance of fitting that on your bike. Might be worth a try.

--- Denise

[kaian]

Yeah, I could try the mini morph. I also considered trying a CO2 pump. There's one made by Innovations that is a CO2 pump AND a hand pump (in case the CO2 function fails). They have it at Performance for $19.99. Guess I'll just have to order a bunch and see which ones work and fit the best. Is there a high likelihood for CO2 pumps to fail or get messed up?

[SR500]

Blackburn frame pump for me, DH carries CO2 and a mini pump...