Pump Choice

**Trekhawk** · 09-15-2005, 09:12 AM

Hi - Question about Pumps.

The bike shop says most riders only carry CO2 inflators these days and go without a pump. I have a CO2 inflator but really feel I still need to carry a pump. Do you guys carry pumps as well? And if so what type?

I would like a pump that could inflate to a decent PSI but notice some of these require a long top tube to carry them. My bike is a 50" frame and its top tube is too short for some of these.

Recommendations would be great.

Thanks

**SadieKate** · 09-15-2005, 09:21 AM

I am a BIG advocate of carrying a "real" pump. Just a couple weeks ago I came across a guy stranded because he had couldn't figure out what was causing the flat and had gone through all of his and his ride group's CO2 through the slow leak. Passing riders heading out to the country were, justifiably, unwilling to give him their CO2. My pump has an unending supply of air even though elbow grease can be a limiting factor.

I have a Torelli mini-pump on one bike and a Barbieri Carbon One mini-pump on the other. I don't expect to get the pressure up to optimum riding pressure, but I can easily get it up high enough to get my tush home, to a bike shop with a floor pump or to a rest stop. Several people love the Topeak Morphe and can, I think, get pressure pretty high. Additionally, many frame pumps come in different lengths, so don't necessarily rule out a frame pump. I think Blackburn makes a cool looking carbon frame pump.

**Nanci** · 09-15-2005, 09:28 AM

http://tinyurl.com/29884 I have this one mounted on my top tube. It's really short, like 14"? but my frame is so small that, with the water bottle in place, I couldn't get it on either of the other two tubes. Also small enough to carry in a Camelback. I read a bunch of reviews on road bike review and MTB review before choosing. It has a little thing that flips out for your foot to stand on, and a handle that also flips out. It has a built-in gauge. I am embarrassed to say, though, I haven't used it yet...It has a single connection around the tube that it clicks into.

I bought BF that tiny Crank Brothers pump that is supposed to inflate to high pressure, but we just can't get it to work right. It's been given up on.

Nanci

**bikerz** · 09-15-2005, 09:32 AM

I'm a fan of the Topeak RoadMorph - I've inflated tubes to 120 with no problem. I also carry the CO2 but have never used it.

**Trekhawk** · 09-15-2005, 09:41 AM

Thanks girls for your feedback I will give them a look.
And see I always knew girls were more sensible than men - no need for pump indeed.

**bcipam** · 09-15-2005, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by bikerz

I'm a fan of the Topeak RoadMorph - I've inflated tubes to 120 with no problem. I also carry the CO2 but have never used it.

No sense at looking at anything else. This is the best portable pump out there. Only one that works without much effort. Not a fan of CO2. If God forbid you mess up and run out of cartridges, you are stranded. Note: I always wear a Camelback so I carry my pump on my pack.

**roughingit** · 09-15-2005, 11:09 AM

I have a frame pump, don't recall the brand but it just sits under my top tube ready when need it. Why waste money on cartridges when I can get all the air I want for 30 bucks?

**CorsairMac** · 09-15-2005, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Trekhawk

Thanks girls for your feedback I will give them a look.
And see I always knew girls were more sensible than men - no need for pump indeed.

well I guess then I would qualify as insensible?? ROFL....I don't carry a pump. All I carry is CO2. In a year and some change of riding I've only run outta CO2 cartridges 1 time and that was coz I was too lazy to go my LBS and get some more when I 1/2 used my last cartridge. BUT: I also run Slime or Air-Loc in all my tubes plus tuffy strips on the road bike I ride the most.

**Trekhawk** · 09-15-2005, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by CorsairMac

well I guess then I would qualify as insensible?? ROFL....I don't carry a pump. All I carry is CO2. In a year and some change of riding I've only run outta CO2 cartridges 1 time and that was coz I was too lazy to go my LBS and get some more when I 1/2 used my last cartridge. BUT: I also run Slime or Air-Loc in all my tubes plus tuffy strips on the road bike I ride the most.

Naah not you Corsair - I just seem to be one of those people that if its gonna happen it will happen to me. Dont want to get stuck on some back road and become Cougar bait.

Mobile phone reception around here is crap (and that is putting it politely). I intend on increasing my distances but oh yes that means heading into the great Nevada County unknown. Best be prepared knowing my s*&% luck.

**Dogmama** · 09-19-2005, 07:30 PM

Those of you who carry a Topeak - how do you have it mounted on your bike? Which tube? It says the pump is 12.7" long.

**Trekhawk** · 09-19-2005, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dogmama

Those of you who carry a Topeak - how do you have it mounted on your bike? Which tube? It says the pump is 12.7" long.

I looked at one of these at the bike shop but the guys nearly had heart failure when I talked about maybe one for my bike (they felt it was sacrilege to put this on a carbon bike). It did look rather large next to my bike. This is the price you pay I guess for getting a pump that will easily inflate your tyre. Vanity got the better of me Im afraid and I went with a Blackburn Mammoth. Its not too big and the silver and black colour fits in really well with my bike (what can I say I like the way my bike looks). Ive tried it out and it seems pretty good - probably not as good as the Topeak but good enough to get me out of a bind.

**Grog** · 09-19-2005, 09:41 PM

I have the RoadMorph, which is amazing, and a very small frame... and it doesn't fit on it. And I hate carrying a backpack.

So for now I am sticking to CO2 but I still think I should get a small pump that would fit my bike just in case... even if it doesn't inflate to 100 psi, I can at least ride to somewhere... In the meantime, I usually ride quite close to civilization so it's not too much of a problem... But it will nonetheless be fixed at my next visit to the bike shop.

**bikerz** · 09-20-2005, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Dogmama

Those of you who carry a Topeak - how do you have it mounted on your bike? Which tube? It says the pump is 12.7" long.

Mine is on the side of seat tube nestled next to the bottle cage. It is snug against the tube, and only *very* rarely does the foot flap of the pump rotate out so that there is a little "click" as I pedal (like an audible cadence meter!). I usually just reach down and rotate it out of the way again. When I use my Topeak clip-on back rack, I attach the pump to the side of the rack instead.

**wabisabi** · 09-20-2005, 09:16 AM

Another big vote for the Road Morph. This weekend on a charity ride I flatted and so did a fellow rider. He was very impressed with my little pump, complete with its gauge and 'foot'; the only problem was that he has big hands and hit his knuckles on the holder for the tube. The separate tube really allays my fear of bending and breaking the valve also. I also have it on my seat tube--my bike is 52 cm., so it just tucks in on the other side of the bottle cage.

**Pedal Wench** · 09-20-2005, 09:26 AM

I"ve got the tiny little Crank Bros. Power Pump, and I like it. Used it once out on the road, and twice at home (put new HOT PINK tires on my bike!) and it works fine. I've read a lot of reviews from people who couldn't get it to work, and it sounds like they're not pushing the nozzle all the way in. I like that it's small enough to fit into my small seat post bag.

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