I need a new pump for on the road bike, small enough to go in the back pocket but decent enough to get up to 80ish psi. Whats the verdict, decent mini pump or C02?
Leaning towards Mini pump to save buying canisters.
proper frame-fit pump
Don't piss about, get a proper pump
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Both
Both, and sometimes a proper full sized frame pump.
[coughs] JoB will you be taking a full sized one on TCR4?
as DT says (always!), mini pumps are a waste of time - literally
proper frame pump or CO2 (or a big "mini" pump like a roadmorph)
aP - Member
[coughs] JoB will you be taking a full sized one on TCR4?
yes, yes i will actually 😉
Don't piss about, get a proper pump
Best option is always going to be a frame fit pump. Actually best option is to have a service car following you around with sets of wheels and a spare bike ready to go 🙂
As neither of those fits the brief of the OP, I'll recommend what I do. A couple of CO2 canisters for most rides (I've used about 3 in two years and they are cheap.) That's assuming you don't puncture much, aren't riding in some remote wilderness, or doing some long distance touring.
lezyne road drive mini pump gets my tyres to 100psi pretty easily.
I was once the only rider in a group of 8 with a pump - most only had a single gas cartridge and tube - 13-odd punctures later, that pump was well used. I might risk gas-only in summer, 2x tubes + cartridges. Never without a pump in winter - CO2 can freeze wet valves open - Lezyne Micro HP is the choice in these parts.
Best option is always going to be a frame fit pump. Actually best option is to have a service car following you around with sets of wheels and a spare bike ready to go
😀
You could always use CO2 canisters or a proper pump during the winter months, then use a tiny little lezyne over summer when:
you're less likely to get a puncture
it's not freezing cold/raining when you're trying to fix it.
If you do get a Lezyne, just be careful.......
I had an incident a few years ago. I was cycling home and saw a cyclist by the side of the road who appeared to be struggling to fix a puncture; I stopped to offer assistance.
"Are you ok mate?"
"No, I can't get my pump to work"
I took a look at his pump (ooer); it was one of those cheapo sorts without a flexible hose.
"THey're rubbish those pumps; best thing you can do is chuck it in the bin when you get home and get yourself something decent like one of these" I said as I produced my Lezyne Road Drive.
"Step aside, I'll pump it up for you"
I went to unscrew the flexible hose and it was seized in place.
"Oh. See ya bye" I jumped on my bike and cycled off.
So, if you've got a Lezyne pump (or you're about to get one), make sure you don't stop to help cyclists who're struggling to fix a puncture.
Mini-pump and 2 x CO2 cartridges. The pump weighs just about nothing and fits in a bottle cage mount clamp, plus it IS the CO2 adaptor thinghy.
The CO2 cartridges are for normal everyday use - the pump is for those damned annoying repeated punctures which do happen - for me maybe every two years which isn't often but when they do I'm really happy to have a pump.
Oh - and it helps when helping others out too....
Since the question was an "either-
or", the answer is easy. Pumps never run out of gas. (And also don't rely on wasting metal shells full of industrially produced pollutant.)
(duplicate removed)
lezyne road drive mini pump gets my tyres to 100psi pretty easily.
+1
CO2 just seems lazy and wasteful to me, using a pump keeps you warm while you're stopped too.
I get about two flats a year, so hardly worth lugging a frame fit pump around on every ride.
Both.
I was out riding last week (mtb, not road, but could happen wherever) and had to push my bike 5 miles home after one of those annoying repeat punctures because I'd accidentally forgotten my mini pump and the two CO2 carts I was carrying failed to inflate the tyre properly.
Always carry a second, even third option.
I went to unscrew the flexible hose and it was seized in place.
That happened to me when I punctured once. I was near a canal so nipped down and borrowed some pliers from a chap on a boat to sort it 🙂
🙂 yeh, absolute knacker. I give it a coating of grease nowadays.....although I haven't had to use it for about 6 months so it' probably seized up again.
I've got one of those Topeak ones, so co2 for it it's pissing it down or cold & I just want it fixed or the pump for when I don't mind spending time on it, or if I get a second puncture after using the co2.
Another vote for the Lezyne mini pumps. I've got the small pressure drive. Fits in a jersey pocket, and it's really no hassle to get tyres up to a good pressure. I carry CO2 as well, but rarely bother to use it. If I had to choose one, it would definitely be the pump.
Mini pump that goes under the bottle cage on both road bikes - that way you can't forget it, and it doesn't take up room in pockets
I have a Lezyne Pressure Drive and it's brilliant; I can't believe how quickly it gets to circa 100psi with road tyres. For a few years I had a similar Lezyne pump (can't remember the model) but it was pretty poor. The Pressure Drive is all that I carry after an incident with two failed CO2 cartridges and a three-mile walk home in cleats in the driving rain. At night. In winter. Once it's happened to you you vow never to let it happen again and that's where the Pressure Drive steps in.
CO2 every time. I want to be stood by the side of the road for as short a time as possible. I do carry a minipump on some bikes and rides. I have yet to use it. The Innovations nanoflate is very good. No fuss. Just screw in the canister and press on hard. Unscrew canister. Done and 80psi.
The Lezyne pumps and combination devices can rip the valve head out of the stem. Seen it a couple of times.
I might use CO2 if I was racing, maybe. Probably not then even. I object to the needless waste.
Actual pump for me, every time.
100psi is a lot for me as I have religious beliefs that prevent anything narrower than 28 😉 so I normally carry a Birzman Infinite clipped on the frame, which has always been fine. Doing the 'roses C2C last year I actually took my regular MTB Mountain Morph as I had resigned to bags. I did consider the Lezyne's but my LBS sold me the Birzman first... 😀 Regarding un-hosed pumps; so long as you adjust your technique accordingly they're fine. If you try to wave it about like you're in the Full Monty then yep, you're gonna be changing that tube again...
I thought Rule #30 said no frame-mounted pumps.
Anyway, the OP's is a question I've always wondered myself, having just relied on Mrs SR when I have got a puncture. In light of mooman's suggestion, though, I shall now get a Lezyne.
Never had a problem getting 80+ psi in with a Lezyne mini pump. Since I started running 28c Conti GP4S I've never had to use it though
I have a tiny mini pump. Its a pain to use but saves a lot of weight and I puncture so rarely I don't mind. I do carry a small aerosol can of sealant tho as well for when I feel lazy or in a hurry - like finilec for bikes
Both. A single CO2 cannister plus one of these: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-hybrid-co2-mini-pump-race/
If I'm unlucky enough to puncture twice, I'd rather pump away slowly to get some air into it rather than walk home.
I thought Rule #30 said no frame-mounted pumps.
Maybe it does, but since The Rules are for utter bum candles, I'd suggest ignoring it.
Lezyne Road Drive if I'm heading out alone and going far.
CO2 for shorter training loops when I can phone for a lift if the cartridges somehow messed up. Or group rides where I can borrow a mini pump.