Road Cycling - full size frame pump vs. mini-pump.

What's the diff between the two?

Why would you want to carry a bigger heavier full size pump when a smaller mini-pump will do just only in slightly more time?

Frame pumps take less strokes to achieve the same pressure and are capable of higher pressures than mini pumps.

Frame pumps Good

Mini pumps pain in Kazoo

Ride Big
Pat

Well, yes I understand it takes less strokes, but is that really that big of a factor?

with my mini-pump I actually managed to over-inflate, so I dunno about not being able to achive the same pressure.

Mini pumps are best for commutes, training and day rides, where you just need enough pressure to get back home.
Full sized frame pumps are better for touring, where you dont have access to a floor pump, and need to keep your tyres full.

It depends what you want the pump to do for you. Neither a frame pump nor a mini pump will get you up to 120 psi after a flat [not easily, anyway], thoug a frame pump could get you up to 100 psi so you could continue your ride. My rationale for carrying a mini pump is that it will give me enough pressure to limp to the nearest bike shop to use their floor pump. I also carry a C02 inflator that gets my tire up to 110-120 psi in a second, so if I'm on a fast ride, I won't lose the group. I don't carry a frame pump. Too much bother and weight for me.

I use a Blackburn Airstick which is about a foot long. It pumps on the in and out strokes and gets my tyres up to pressure very quickly.

It attaches beside my water bottle carrier.

I have a Topeak Road Morph which works great. Sort of a "midi" pump. HOWEVER, 99.9% of the time I just carry a CO2 inflator. Whether on a commute or a club ride, I just don't feel like screwing with a pump when the inflator gives me 0 to 120 pounds in about 2 seconds. If you get the Innovations Ultra Flate or other inflator that gives the option of using unthreaded cartridges, you can buy a box of 25 air rifle cartridges at WalMart for the price of a couple of threaded cartridges. I keep several in my seat bag. It's not about weight; it's about getting back on the road.
Regards,
Raymond

Full sized frame pump. Advantages: fits easily into the frame. It pumps up the tires faster and easier. And you can use it to clobber pursuing canines.

Mini Pump. Advantages: lighter and more convenient.

I used to have a full frame pump, but have discarded them for the more compact CO2 ultraflate, once i get a puncture, Would try to fix things on the road, then would see if i can continue to do the trip I intend to do if not I am homeward bound

I just bought a Crank Bros. mini-pump to carry on my new Fuji Roubaix-Pro road bike.

The Crank Bros. pump has a knob at the end that you twist when the pumping gets really hard. The knob switches valves inside, allowing you to pump the last few pounds more easily.

For some reason, I don't trust CO2 inflators, or feel that they're "cheating" somehow, or "wasteful" or something. I like the unthreaded cartridge idea, though. May have to get one after all.

Jack Johnston, the old pro who sold me my Fuji in Dallas, says he carries a CO2 inflator AND a hand pump. He uses a frame model, although I don't suppose it really matters.

I helped a guy fix a flat when I was in Dallas. He had a beatiful Italian bicycle, a colorful jersey, all the "right stuff," and it was his first flat. He was distraught. I got him back on the road with my short mountain bike pump. Not full pressure, but it did the job.

I helped a guy fix a flat when I was in Dallas. He had a beatiful Italian bicycle, a colorful jersey, all the "right stuff," and it was his first flat. He was distraught. I got him back on the road with my short mountain bike pump. Not full pressure, but it did the job.

If he didn't have a pump then he didn't have the right stuff.

Good point, although I neglected to mention that he did have a CO2 inflator with him. The reason we didn't use it is that we swapped replacement tubes.

His spare tube had a short Presta valve, but he had the aero-style rims that require a long valve. The spare tube I carried had a super-long Presta valve even though my rims don't require it.

So we swapped inner tubes. I hestitate to use the CO2 inflator because I was afraid my tube did not exactly match the size of his wheel. I thought better to pump it up by hand. If the guy has trouble on the way home, he'll still have his inflator and his patch kit.

Anyway, that's probably more than you wanted to know about the "right stuff," or lack thereof.

Condor

Wow, you're a downright nice person. That other cyclist was lucky you were out there that day!