Frame Pump Recommendations

[SilverSpring]

As I was fixing a flat on the Georgetown Branch today (sigh…at least I can now change a tire without crying…too much), I was admiring my Blackburn AirStik for its handiness…for the first 50 pumps. After that, I fiercely wish that I had forearms like Popeye. I’m not saying my pump’s days are numbered, but what recommendations do you have for a Schrader/Presta compatible replacement? I could use a pump with a gauge and don’t think I’d do well with CO2 cartridges (I’d just use them to make bubbly martinis or something). Thanks for your thoughts.

[chris_s]

I have this pump and I love it. It’s light, it has a gauge, and it has an ingenious little foot pedal that folds out so you can sort of pump it like a normal floor pump. That said, the gauge isn’t super duper accurate, but it is close enough to get your in the right ball park and know you’re not way over-inflating. Did I mention it does both styles of valve and you can switch between them on the go?

Ack I sound like an advertisement.

[jabberwocky]

Seconded. The Topeak Morph pumps are the best out there. I have two mountain morphs and a mini-morph. They fold out into mini floor pumps, can quickly reach high pressures and are pretty durable (my oldest was bought in 2004 and still works great).

[KS1G]

3rded. A road-morph (older model, but not quite as grizzled a veteran as jw’s) lives on my commuter. All my bikes are presta-valved, so I have not experienced dealing with the other valve type.

[off2ride]

I have the Lezyne alloy pump that’s attached to my water bottle cage. The only time I use it is for road side flats. It’s normal for that tiny thing not to pump up the tire to 120. I just pump it enough just to get going again. The other feature that I like is it has a flexible hose that attaches to the end of it. This design allows free movement as your pumping so it won’t put a strain on the tire valve. We all know that presta valves is so flimsy. I also carry CO2 as a back up. Unfortunately, CO2 is only at it’s best when the temperature outside is warm/hot. Otherwise they just freeze in the cold.

@SilverSpring 15642 wrote:

As I was fixing a flat on the Georgetown Branch today (sigh…at least I can now change a tire without crying…too much), I was admiring my Blackburn AirStik for its handiness…for the first 50 pumps. After that, I fiercely wish that I had forearms like Popeye. I’m not saying my pump’s days are numbered, but what recommendations do you have for a Schrader/Presta compatible replacement? I could use a pump with a gauge and don’t think I’d do well with CO2 cartridges (I’d just use them to make bubbly martinis or something). Thanks for your thoughts.

[consularrider]

@KS1G 15649 wrote:

3rded. A road-morph (older model, but not quite as grizzled a veteran as jw’s) lives on my commuter. All my bikes are presta-valved, so I have not experienced dealing with the other valve type.

I like the road morph’s ease of use and have used it on both presta and schraeder valves with no problems. You have to flip the gasket depending on the type of valve. I have the gauge model and it seems to be acurate enough for a roadside repair. One issue I had with it was that the mounting bracket that comes with it has to be zip-tied to the frame or used in place of a bottle cage. You can get a bracket that fits behind the bottle cage.

I also liked my Lezyne Road Drive pump and had bought the hose attachment with pin gauge to replace the standard hose. However, unlike the road morph, the lezyne tended to really heat up as I pumped and required more strokes. It’s smaller and lighter than the road morph. I’d still be using it, but the cap came off on a century ride without my noticing and I have gotten a response from the company about a replace ment part (why spend another $35 when all you need is a $1 part?).

[DCAKen]

@SilverSpring 15642 wrote:

As I was fixing a flat on the Georgetown Branch today (sigh…at least I can now change a tire without crying…too much), I was admiring my Blackburn AirStik for its handiness…for the first 50 pumps. After that, I fiercely wish that I had forearms like Popeye. I’m not saying my pump’s days are numbered, but what recommendations do you have for a Schrader/Presta compatible replacement? I could use a pump with a gauge and don’t think I’d do well with CO2 cartridges (I’d just use them to make bubbly martinis or something). Thanks for your thoughts.

Was that you I passed last night? When I asked if everything was OK, the cyclist (you?) replied that he was able to fix it without crying.

[Rootchopper]

I have two Road Morphs and two Zefal frame pumps. The Road Morphs are much easier to use. The hose is key. With a conventional frame pump (without a hose) you can damage or even snap off the valve. This will ruin your whole day.

[SilverSpring]

Folks,

Many thanks for the good advice and the recommendations.

DCAKen,

That was indeed me. Thanks much for asking if I was set. Several folks did and it was quite friendly and reassuring (or, alternately, I looked so deranged pumping away that they were contemplating a call to Animal Control).

[thecyclingeconomist]

Another vote for the Topeak morph pumps (i have both the road and mountain morph… both are stellar.)

[DCAKen]

Amazon.com is having a sale on Topeak morph pumps

[SilverSpring]

DCAKen et al,

Many thanks! With your notice of the sale and everyone’s recommendations, I’ve just bought one.

Now, thoughts about which jet engines are best for a commuter hybrid?

[consularrider]

Go with the best, Rolls Royce (sorry GE).

[larcal]

It appears that many of us own several styles of the Topeak Morph pumps and I am wondering what the difference between the Mountain, Turbo, and Road styles is. Since the published tube dimensions only vary by 1/10 “, would they not all blow up a tire just as fast?. I’m using mtb tires. The Mountain has no gauge, but the latter two do, and the Road is an ounce lighter with no apparent downside. Also, can anyone compare the Lezyne to the above? Many thanks.

[brendan]

@larcal 17336 wrote:

It appears that many of us own several styles of the Topeak Morph pumps and I am wondering what the difference between the Mountain, Turbo, and Road styles is. Since the published tube dimensions only vary by 1/10 “, would they not all blow up a tire just as fast?. I’m using mtb tires. The Mountain has no gauge, but the latter two do, and the Road is an ounce lighter with no apparent downside. Also, can anyone compare the Lezyne to the above? Many thanks.

My understanding is that “mountain” type pumps are optimized for volume per stroke, while “road” type pumps are optimized for allowing you to attain higher pressure. That is to say, a road pump will take longer than a mountain pump to pump up a mountain bike tire. A mountain pump will not be able to pump a road tire up to or near the rated maximum.

Brendan

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