Road Cycling - How do I use a frame pump.

I know this sounds dumb, really dumb, but . . . . What's the best way to pump up a tire with a frame pump? I have a Zefal HpX. It seems that almost every time I get over 70 psi when pumping while on the road the rubber around the base of the valve gets cut and renders the tube useless. If the tube is so delicate, how do I get enough leverage to pump it up to 120 psi? How do I hold the pump and the wheel?

Today was a total tube disaster. About 6 miles from home my rear tire got punctured by a thorn. I had two tubes with me and I managed to ruin both of them while pumping. I patched the original tube with my only patch and pumped it to a fairly low inflation. With only two miles left before home, I flatted with a thorn in the front tire. I called home, but nobody was there. So I took off my very expensive shoes and walked home barefoot. I'm really bummed.

Rich

Your mini frame pump is not really desinged to get you up to 120 psi. Actually, I would be VERY suprised if you could do it!

The frame pump is really designed to get enough air in your tire so you can ride home and use your "real" pump.

I am not sure it would be physically possible to get 120 psi in a tire with my frame pump.

Three ways.

1. Being very careful, very talented or very lucky. Try all three of them.

2. One trick is to hold the pump and wheel in your hands (not on the ground). Insert the pump onto the valve, then put the stem at the top and pump.
Since your wheel won't touch the ground, it is easier to keep the valve intact. Two notices:
a) I have seen an illustration somewhere on the web;
b) I have never tried it.

3. Another trick is to buy the Topeak Road Morph pump. I have the one without gauge. It looks like a miniaturised version of a floor pump, complete with its own hose. With the Road Morph, you're pumping against the floor, not against the valve, so there is no stress on the valve.

Regards,

Actually, this is not a mini pump. It's nearly the length of my top tube. It's supposed to go up to 160 psi and the LBS said that it would work on the road. If such a pump can't even get close to 120 psi, why do they claim that it can? I wanted a stronger pump because I usually ride 30-50 miles on the average ride. I don't want to have to ride on soft tires (with the risk of pinch flats) for the bulk of the ride if I flat near the beginning. Obviously we are in the thorn season here and I want a pump I can rely on.

Thanks for responding.

Rich

I prefer to put the pump head on my foot, and push against that, rather then the ground, or the valve. I do have a slight problem with bending the valve core, but no problems getting 120 pounds out of my frame pump. It may take some time to figure out what works best for you. You may also want to think about using a different tube. I use aero tubes, with a 1 1/2" metal stem.

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
I prefer to put the pump head on my foot, and push against that, rather then the ground, or the valve.

That's the trick... avoid pushing against the stem. I often use fence posts or rails. Also be careful removing the pump after the tire's inflated... once I broke a stem removing the pump!

BTW, I used to have a Zefal HpX (doinked too many dogs and bent the shaft), and currently use a Topeak Road Master Blaster. Both will certainly inflate a tire to 120 psi. (Once in a while it's a good idea to spray a little silicone lube into the pump tube. Be sure to wipe out any excess.)

^What roadbuzz and Joe said :beer:

That reminds me, I have removeable valve core's on my tubes, (for aero wheel extenders). However, i know i have tossed two or three tubes away due to bad cores alone! Anyone know where i can purchase extra valve core's?

Yup, as mentioned above the trick is to keep from stressing the valve.

I have 2- hpx's and 3 hp's (older brother of hpx). I've done the fence post, utility pole, tree trick many times.

I've seen some folks mount the wheel back onto the bike before inflating. BAD IDEA. That's like a monkey humping a football. Always inflate first.

Zefal frame pumps are among the best, retro as they may be.

:beer:

HP-x can get a pretty high pressure, far more then a mini pump.
You can get extra-long valves for deep section rims. DONT use these on standard box sections rims. They are much more difficult to pump up, and break more easily.
Make sure the nut around the valve is holding the valve in place.
Place the pump in your hand and brace your thumb against the rim as you pump. Make sure you lock the head onto the valve, and once locked ALWAYS keep the pump at 90 degrees to the rim. Wobbling the pump around will really stress the valve.
You can remove the wheel and place the head of the pump againt a solid object, but stone will shred the plastic end peice of the pump.

Joe Gardner's foot method really works well. Really makes using the HpX quite easy. Thanks, Joe! It was easy to get pumped up to 120 psi without any stem damage. Great morning after a lousy day yesterday. Works much better than using a tree, fence, or post.

BTW, you can remove the plastic end pieces very easily by first unscrewing the nut around the nozzle. That way you avoid shredding the endpiece on concrete and it makes it easier on your shoe or foot if you are using Joe's method.

Thanks again.

Rich