Pump vs cartridges (tools, tools, oh my)

[IFjane]

I just carry a pump. I've never figured out cartridges. I'm a bit Old School, though.

What Tulip said!

I carry an old Road Morph and love it - it has saved me and other cyclists for years now.

[Catrin]

I carry an old Road Morph and love it - it has saved me and other cyclists for years now.

My very first bike is ready for me to pick up tomorrow I have my list of tools and accessories to pick up, and the Road Morph pump is on my list. I am hoping that it will fit my frame, but we will see tomorrow. My spinning instructor who is helping me with all of this has said that he finds most mini-pumps to be "mini-air". The bike is a Trek 7.6 FX WSD.

[tzvia]

My bike can't take a frame pump, which is what I prefer to use as I can actually get real air out of it without pumping all day. Cartridges don't cut it with me, too 'all-or-nothing' and yea not environmentally sound. Not just the 'throw away' or the packaging. Also the energy to make just for one use, the energy to package and ship (over and over as it is one-shot and buy another), and the energy it takes to recycle (over and over.) Sorry, not for me.

So I put aside my carbon frame pump and bought a Topeak DX MasterBlaster. It fits in a holder that attaches next to the water bottle cage, is light weight, and works well enough for a mini. However, I am looking for something a little bigger that fits the same way, to cut down on the pumping time. I think the Road Morph attaches similarly, so you should be able to get it mounted to the bike.

A real floor pump can't be beat for getting the bike prepped for a ride; I consider the frame pump an emergency tool.

You need to post pictures of your new bike when you get it! I know that when I went to pickup my new bike a few weeks ago I was bouncing off the walls!

[Catrin]

The new bike comes home tomorrow

Here is my final list of tools and accessories, does this look complete enough for a beginner?

• Helmet
• Tire changing kit that
• Inner tube that will fit a 700x28c tire
• Road Morph Air Pump
• multi-tool for adjusting things
• Seat-post bag
• Light
• Bell
• Bottle Cage (two?)
• Car rack IF needed
• Lock/security
• Bike Lock for car rack if I get one

I am going to hold off on a patching kit until I actually learn how to do that, and in March I will get clipless pedals and a cycle computer. I want to finish learning how to ride before changing pedals!

[OakLeaf]

Gloves. Even a minor fall can result in road rash on unprotected hands.

I've never used a Road Morph pump - but given that one poster has described it as "cumbersome," you may still want a floor pump. Maybe give it a try at the LBS, compare it to a floor pump, and decide for yourself whether you want to use the Morph every time you air your tires (i.e. before every ride). If the Morph doesn't have a tire gauge, then you need a gauge, too - most floor pumps have the convenience of a built-in gauge.

Tools are much the same as pumps. You definitely want a compact multi-tool that you can carry on your bike, for adjustments and repairs that can't wait. But full-sized tools are much easier to use (and have much less chance of damaging your fasteners).

For minor adjustments at home, you likely already have everything you need: 4, 5 and possibly 6 mm Allen wrenches (preferably T-handled, but hex keys will do); #1 and #2 Phillips screwdrivers; pliers; and, if there's anything carbon fiber on your bike, a decent low-range torque wrench with 4 and 5 mm hex (Allen) sockets.

[Catrin]

....if there's anything carbon fiber on your bike, a decent low-range torque wrench with 4 and 5 mm hex (Allen) sockets.

The bike has a carbon fork - I know I am showing my ignorance here - but is there anything there that I might need to adjust? If so, then I will look for the low-range torque wrench.

[OakLeaf]

The bike has a carbon fork - I know I am showing my ignorance here - but is there anything there that I might need to adjust?

Not unless the steerer tube is carbon, in which case you'll need to be careful not to over-tighten the stem - but most likely it's alloy. You're right, I was overly broad - I was thinking of frame, handlebars, stem and seatpost.

[nscrbug]

Gloves. Even a minor fall can result in road rash on unprotected hands.

I've never used a Road Morph pump - but given that one poster has described it as "cumbersome," you may still want a floor pump. Maybe give it a try at the LBS, compare it to a floor pump, and decide for yourself whether you want to use the Morph every time you air your tires (i.e. before every ride). If the Morph doesn't have a tire gauge, then you need a gauge, too - most floor pumps have the convenience of a built-in gauge.

Tools are much the same as pumps. You definitely want a compact multi-tool that you can carry on your bike, for adjustments and repairs that can't wait. But full-sized tools are much easier to use (and have much less chance of damaging your fasteners).

For minor adjustments at home, you likely already have everything you need: 4, 5 and possibly 6 mm Allen wrenches (preferably T-handled, but hex keys will do); #1 and #2 Phillips screwdrivers; pliers; and, if there's anything carbon fiber on your bike, a decent low-range torque wrench with 4 and 5 mm hex (Allen) sockets.

There is a version of the Road Morph which does have a gauge...it's the Road Morph G. We have the "G" pump, and while the gauge does provide somewhat of an idea on PSI...I wouldn't rely heavily on it. Out on the road, in an emergency...it does the job. But I would still STRONGLY recommend a dedicated floor pump to top-off your tires at home before every ride. FWIW, we use the Topeak Joe Blow Sport floor pump...works great, with a nice big gauge, and reasonably-priced at Performance Bike.

[Catrin]

In the end, I went with a Blackburn Mammoth Mountain frame Pump that they are attaching to my bike along with everything else, and a dedicated Blackburn floor pump for my apartment. The head bike mechanic, my cycling instructor, and a couple of others convinced me that this would work better for me in the long-term

I did purchase the bike today, but I don't get to bring it home until Sunday afternoon. I couldn't stick around for them to attach everything to the bike (bottle cage/pump/lights/etc), and I am traveling tomorrow - so it will be Sunday afternoon. However, that is only the day after tomorrow - and I will get a picture when I bring my beautiful new steed home!