what's a decent pump to get?

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Date: 27 Sep 2006 02:29:33
From: Pete Derkowski
Subject: what's a decent pump to get?

Hi,

What's a good frame or mini pump to get? I've seen CO2 cartidges in the
stores - what kind of pump uses them?

I've been looking at Topeak and Zefal - are these decent?

Pete

Date: 27 Sep 2006 11:46:33
From: David L. Johnson
Subject: Re: what's a decent pump to get?

On Wed, 27 Sep 2006 07:37:07 -0700, folson wrote:

> A few months ago my 15-year-old son became a serious rider, and a
> couple of weeks ago I went for a ride with him and one of his friends.
> They both had different kinds of modern pumps. When we ran into a lot
> of star thistle and goatheads and had to patch a lot, they couldn't
> believe how well my old Silca worked compared to their newfangled
> pumps, in terms of ease of pumping, inflation speed and maximum
> pressure attainable. But I understand the old Silcas are getting a
> little rare these days. And of course you have to find one that fits
> your frame exactly. Often that is hard.

Oh, come on. I have a Silca pump. They are not all that great. Really,
compared with the Road Morph they are a RPITA. I suppose you have the
skill of holding the rim so that you don't break the valve, and maybe even
the trick of bracing the wheel against something solid so you can pump
harder. Sure, the Silca will pump to a high pressure --- but only if you
are strong enough.

With the Topeak, you don't have to worry about any of that. It unfolds to
a miniature floor pump. A hose connects to the valve, so you don't break
it off. You push against the ground, using your weight, not your arm
strength.

The best thing about the Silca pumps are the heavy brass Campagnolo heads,
that will really give a satisfying thunk on a dog's snout.

--

David L. Johnson

__o

Date: 27 Sep 2006 09:19:03
From: David L. Johnson
Subject: Re: what's a decent pump to get?

On Tue, 26 Sep 2006 22:49:54 -0700, Tom Keats wrote:

> Since you mention mini pumps, I take it we're
> not talking about pumps for higher-pressure
> road bike tires. For that you want something
> long & skinny, like the ever-popular Topeak
> Road Morph (in your frame size, even.)

No, not really. The Topeak Road Morph is a mini-pump. It does not fit
like a true frame pump; instead it has a plastic clip to hold the pump on
(not the best design, but to my surprise it is still holding after maybe
4-5 years). However, despite its mini-pump size, it easily, and I mean
easily, fills a tire up to 120psi or more.

I often volunteer to pump up others' flats, since I want the group to get
back on the road. I ask, as I am pumping, how much pressure the rider
wants, and they usually say "as much as you can get". I have to ask
again, explaining how much pressure this little pump can provide.

--

David L. Johnson

__o

Date: 27 Sep 2006 12:20:31
From: Pete Derkowski
Subject: Re: what's a decent pump to get?

Thanks all! I'll check out the Topeak Road Morph and Zefal HPx a bit
closer and get one.

Went for a ride on my new bike (4 weeks old Trek Pilot 2.1 spa) and had to
phone the wife with a pick-me-up call. According to Sheldon Browns web
site (found the link somewhere in this newsgroup), I have a pinch flat.
Two small snake bites in the tube on the quasi-inside caused by pinching the
tube between something (rock, etc) and the rim. Actually have two sets of
them, about 6 inches apart. ?? I did hit some broken up blacktop coming
down off a bridge - there was no way to avoid it and I didn't wanna slam on
the brakes - but I didn't think it would hurt the rear tire. Having read
this newsgroup, I now relaize most of the weight is on the back tire, so
yeah, it makes sense. And I filled up the tires before I left, to 110
lbs - I must have not screwed the valve all the way back in.

I bought 2 new tubes last night, plus a patch kit online, and figured I'd
better get a pump to be safe. I'd rather fix a flat on the road than call
the wife with another 'can you pick me up?' call. Takes the fun out of
it.

I have some newbie Qs for the group - I'll create a new entry for them
though. Thanks Again, I appreciate the info. :-)
Pete

"Pete Derkowski" <craftydad@nycap.rr.com > wrote in message
news:hmlSg.186$0L1.36@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> Hi,
>
> What's a good frame or mini pump to get? I've seen CO2 cartidges in the
> stores - what kind of pump uses them?
>
> I've been looking at Topeak and Zefal - are these decent?
>
> Pete
>

Date: 28 Sep 2006 09:58:36
From: Fred
Subject: Re: what's a decent pump to get?

"Pete Derkowski" <craftydad@nycap.rr.com > wrote in message
news:j0uSg.195$0L1.58@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> Thanks all! I'll check out the Topeak Road Morph and Zefal HPx a bit
> closer and get one.
>
> Went for a ride on my new bike (4 weeks old Trek Pilot 2.1 spa) and had to
> phone the wife with a pick-me-up call. According to Sheldon Browns web
> site (found the link somewhere in this newsgroup), I have a pinch flat.
> Two small snake bites in the tube on the quasi-inside caused by pinching
> the tube between something (rock, etc) and the rim. Actually have two
> sets of them, about 6 inches apart. ?? I did hit some broken up
> blacktop coming down off a bridge - there was no way to avoid it and I
> didn't wanna slam on the brakes - but I didn't think it would hurt the
> rear tire. Having read this newsgroup, I now relaize most of the weight
> is on the back tire, so yeah, it makes sense. And I filled up the tires
> before I left, to 110 lbs - I must have not screwed the valve all the way
> back in.
>
> I bought 2 new tubes last night, plus a patch kit online, and figured I'd
> better get a pump to be safe. I'd rather fix a flat on the road than
> call the wife with another 'can you pick me up?' call. Takes the fun
> out of it.
>
>
> I have some newbie Qs for the group - I'll create a new entry for them
> though. Thanks Again, I appreciate the info. :-)
> Pete
>
>
>
> "Pete Derkowski" <craftydad@nycap.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:hmlSg.186$0L1.36@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>> Hi,
>>
>> What's a good frame or mini pump to get? I've seen CO2 cartidges in the
>> stores - what kind of pump uses them?
>>
>> I've been looking at Topeak and Zefal - are these decent?
>>
I bought a cheapie from a Kt type store- cost peanuts; it's branded 'Bike
Bits'. It was made in Taiwan and it's turned out to be as good as anything
I've ever used. Was a recent purchase, so not sure how long it will last,
but looks fairly robust.

Date: 27 Sep 2006 09:12:56
From: Jim Higson
Subject: Re: what's a decent pump to get?

Date: 26 Sep 2006 22:49:54
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: what's a decent pump to get?

In article <hmlSg.186$0L1.36@twister.nyroc.rr.com >,
"Pete Derkowski" <craftydad@nycap.rr.com > writes:
> Hi,
>
> What's a good frame or mini pump to get?

Something with a metal (not plastic) barrel.

Since you mention mini pumps, I take it we're
not talking about pumps for higher-pressure
road bike tires. For that you want something
long & skinny, like the ever-popular Topeak
Road Morph (in your frame size, even.)

I've been happy with my Planet Bike mini pump.
All the lettering has worn off, so I'm afraid
I don't have the model name at hand. But it
has an aluminum barrel, handle that swivels
to form a T-handle if you want it to, one of
those Presta/Schraeder adaptors that you invert
for one valve type or the other, and a locking
thumb lever that'll whack your knuckles if you
don't hold it right (I guess that's an
"educational" feature.)

In my opinion, the fewer moving parts, the
less chance there is for anything to fail.
So I shy away from those slide-y mini pumps
with telescoping plastic barrels. Especially
since I've had a couple of them blow up in my hands.
Well, actually, it's been the screw-on, plastic
"cylinder heads" on the plastic barrels that
have blown off.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Date: 26 Sep 2006 22:35:59
From: Smokey
Subject: Re: what's a decent pump to get?

Pete Derkowski wrote:
> Hi,
>
> What's a good frame or mini pump to get? I've seen CO2 cartidges in the
> stores - what kind of pump uses them?
>
> I've been looking at Topeak and Zefal - are these decent?
>
> Pete

I agree with the others, Topeak Road Morph is the best I've used. You
might want to get one soon, I've heard they may quit making them. Bike
Tires Direct has a good price on them now. My second choice would be
the Zephal HPx.

Smokey

Date: 26 Sep 2006 23:25:50
From: David L. Johnson
Subject: Re: what's a decent pump to get?

On Wed, 27 Sep 2006 02:29:33 +0000, Pete Derkowski wrote:

> Hi,
>
> What's a good frame or mini pump to get?

Topeak Road Morph.

--

David L. Johnson

__o

Date: 27 Sep 2006 03:05:47
From: JP
Subject: Re: what's a decent pump to get?

"Pete Derkowski" <craftydad@nycap.rr.com > wrote in message
news:hmlSg.186$0L1.36@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> Hi,
>
> What's a good frame or mini pump to get? I've seen CO2 cartidges in the
> stores - what kind of pump uses them?
>
> I've been looking at Topeak and Zefal - are these decent?
>
> Pete
>

I've got a Zefal frame pump and a Topeak Road morph. (fits in a camelbak
mule)
Both are great.
The Roadmorph has a little gauge.
Had to call Topeak last week cuz I lost the little pieces that you reverse
to change from
presta to schraeder. They sent them to me free in about two days. Nice.

I know people who like the co2 for the convenience but I've never used one.