Bike pumps - is there a difference?

Are there good and bad pumps or are they all pretty much the same?

I have a floor pump that I got at Target many many moons ago. I rarely use it and have always tended to just go to the gas station if I need air in my beach cruiser. The pump sticks on one of the tires and it doesn't want to come off...additionally, its just a lot of work!

Now that I have a road bike, I'd like to not have to do the whole gas station thing. I've been told the co2 cartridges are really only a temporary fix.

So...is there a preferred tire pump out there?

Yes, there's a difference. DBF and I have a cheapy floor pump from Performance. DBF's family has a more expensive floor pump, and wow--what a difference! (I can't remember the brand name, unfortunately.)

Most cheap big-box store pumps won't even deliver the pressure that you need for road bike tires.

If you're using the gas station's compressor, BE SURE to put an accurate tire gauge on your tire. DAMHIK... When you get your own pump, you can check the accuracy of your pump's gauge against your standalone gauge; if there's a large difference, check it against two or three other people's gauges and use your instinct and judgment as to what's really accurate.

I take it you need a pump that will easily accommodate both Schraeder valves (the big rubber spring-loaded ones that come on fat tubes like your beach cruiser, same valve type as on cars, motorcycles, and lawn and garden equipment) and Presta valves (the skinny metal screw-type ones that come exclusively on skinny bicycle tubes)?

$35-40 at your LBS should get you a good-enough pump, but ask them what they recommend. Spending much more than that will get you rebuildability, the capacity for super high pressure tubular tires, a certain amount of bling factor :rolleyes:. Most inexpensive floor pumps claim they'll work with both types of valves, but some are easier than others. I've had good luck with my Specialized Air Tool Sport.

Floor Pump - get a good one from a bike shop (REI, performance, wherever) I have a Joe Blow and am happy with it. I really like the ones with the dual head that will either do presta or shraeder without having to change anything. If you have a cruiser that you've been filling up at the gas station, and just got a road bike, I wouldn't be surprised if your bikes have different valves. If your new bike has presta, you'll have to get a presta head.
On the bike - a road morph. they are wonderful little pumps.
http://www.rei.com/product/648089/to...ump-with-gauge

I've always been told to never use car pumps - I think because of the danger of over-inflating.

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Originally Posted by TsPoet

Floor Pump - get a good one from a bike shop (REI, performance, wherever) I have a Joe Blow and am happy with it. I really like the ones with the dual head that will either do presta or shraeder without having to change anything.

If you have a cruiser that you've been filling up at the gas station, and just got a road bike, I wouldn't be surprised if your bikes have different valves. If your new bike has presta, you'll have to get a presta head.
On the bike - a road morph. they are wonderful little pumps.
http://www.rei.com/product/648089/to...ump-with-gauge

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what she said.

Floor pump with the gauge at the TOP of the pump, not at the bottom. Much easier to read.

I started out with a very cheap Lidl floor pump... which bent when it fell over. I replaced it with a Joe Blow that I don't think I could break if I tried.

So glad this thread was posted. I was thinking about pumps. I have a floor pump - kind of midrange $$$(it was a gift), it has dual heads and a gauge - but I have more problems with those darn presta valves - somehow I managed to let the air out of the tire instead of putting air in. :(

So glad this thread was posted. I was thinking about pumps. I have a floor pump - kind of midrange $$$(it was a gift), it has dual heads and a gauge - but I have more problems with those darn presta valves - somehow I managed to let the air out of the tire instead of putting air in. I'm thinking about another pump - maybe its the pump not me :(

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Originally Posted by surgtech1956

So glad this thread was posted. I was thinking about pumps. I have a floor pump - kind of midrange $$$(it was a gift), it has dual heads and a gauge - but I have more problems with those darn presta valves - somehow I managed to let the air out of the tire instead of putting air in. I'm thinking about another pump - maybe its the pump not me :(

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that was something else I thought I should point out - get the pump from your LBS and make them show you the tricks on how to use it.

We have a Blackburn Air Tower 3 that we like quite a bit. It has a smart head, which is nice since we have both types of valves. The gauge is on the top with nice big numbers. I can remember when that wouldn't have been important...:o

Deb

Thanks for all the input. I just looked at REI online, and like most things in cycling, they cost much more than I thought! Sheesh! This is not a hobby for the tight-of-cash! I guess the good thing is that quality lasts...theoretically, at least.

I bought a Cutter pump from BonkTown/ChainLove/SteepAndCheap and it's been AWESOME. Previously we went through 2 Joe Blows between all of our family bikes, they both wouldn't seal anymore after enough wear and tear. REI was great about letting us swap them, though. Love REI. This is the one we have: http://www.cutterbike.com/?cat=33&p=59

At work, I have a Serfas floor pump (also from a SAC & co site), but it is treated very delicately and mostly pumps up my own bike tires, sometimes other peoples' bike tires, my stability ball chair, and my dog's soccer balls. ;)

If you buy from an LBS or REI or something, I'd definitely have them hook it up to a bike and show you any tricks to getting a good seal, getting the pump to fit properly, anything along those lines.

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Originally Posted by withm

floor pump with the gauge at the top of the pump, not at the bottom. Much easier to read.

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yes!