Bicycle Mechanics - topeak pump

is the topeak "morph pump worth buying? the old zefal doubleshot was a nonrepairable piece of junk!

Hi Alice, I just got a Topeak morph, and it seems to work very well. I actually ordered the road morph for high pressure tires, but they sent the mountain morph instead. I tried it out and there's no problem getting 110 psi into the tire. With the foldout foot peg and handle, combined with the hose connection it's very easy to use.
I havn't had to use it out on the road yet, knock on wood, but the test worked great.

Dear Mr. Cooper, I was glad to hear that your zephal double shot was a piece of junk. At least I know that it wasn't just my zephal double shot which sucked - worthless.

It didn't fit the valve (too tight) and it didn't inflate well when it finally went on.

I actually ended up tearing the valve right off of a new tube trying to get the zephal pump off.

Maybe there was some special way to use the pump, but it didn't have any instructions in/on the box or the pump.

Whew! That felt good.

Pumps are supposed to blow, not suck.

To answer your question directly:YES! The Morph is worth buying. The Road Morph is preferred because of the gauge. But, as stated, the Mountain works well also.

Servus!

Topeak makes good stuff. I have used their floor pumps and the SmartHead attatchment is tops. Good saddle bags and micro tools as well.

I actually got "shot" by my zefal mt. mini. Stuck it on, wrestled, pumped up the tire to a modest pressure, and the back pressure blew the plunger out of the pump body (somehow circumnavigating the threads!) and hit me in the ankle. Leaving me to jury-rig the pump and try the whole process again.

Ahh, how technology enriches our lives.....

thanks for the replies...actually, the zefal did serve one purpose well...warped the head of a halfgrown coon hound that was intent on biting me.He should never have messed with a redneck...anyway, thanks again for the quick replies, and my email had an alert on it! will wonders never cease?

Actually I've got a Zefal mini doulbe shot that has served me well for a number of years.\

The only problem being that it fills up with water whenever it rains!

We sell all the Topeak stuff where I work, and I'll say this, from my own in-store tests they kick Zefal and Blackburn stuff in the balls

I have a Zefal which is just about worthless; a Blackburn that's somewhat better--but next time I look at pumps I'll look for the Topeak after reading these recommendations.

I sure would like to have a pump that would do more than just barely provide enough pressure to limp home (if I'm close enough), after 300 or more strokes (by actual count!).

I have a Blackburn Mini Mammoth or something like that. It just will not stay on the valve no matter how steady I am with it. After a few pumps, I have to pop the lever up and reseat it. I had been looking at the Road Morph for a couple of month, and after reading such good things, I am definitely going to get one! We have a number of good LBSs in town. I called all of the ones that are remotely close to me and not one carries them. Nashbar.com had them for something like $24.95 compared to $34.95 at Performance.
FWIW,
Raymond

For everyone who has problems with their mini-pumps and that sounds like a bunch of you, go buy some "PB Blaster" from most auto parts stores. I had a specialized mini and a Topeak and neither one was working well. I bought some PB Blaster for some other reason and I read on the can that it restores old seals. I figured what the heck I was about to throw the minis away anyways. Shot some in and around the o-rings, left em overnight, wiped off the extra and voila! Great working pump again.

As far as the head problems you guys are having, I can't help you there. I have had no problem with my head. Ask my wife and she'll have a different opinion though!

Later Gator
Boomer:p

I just received the Topeak Road Morph pump I ordered from Nashbar 3 days ago. Looks great. Of course I had to try it out immediately. The guage register something in the 90s, and I pumped it up to 100-110 pretty easily. Almost makes me hope I puncture. C__p! Did I say that out loud?

Originally posted by RainmanP
Of course I had to try it out immediately. The guage register something in the 90s, and I pumped it up to 100-110 pretty easily...
I bet you did this in your living room, right? Aha! I thought so! :D

No, but just as controlled. The office where my bike stays during the day while I pass the time between rides. :)

Well, that pump sounds pretty wonderful to me. I'm interested because neither my Zefal nor my Blackburn pump will go above something like 60 lbs., and that's hard to reach.

But I suspect some of these devices have ways of telling if they're in a "controlled" environment, and when they're out in the field it's another story! ;)

So as soon as you experience your first Topeak field test--hasten to the keyboard and let us know what happens!

JonR,
The way my luck has been running, it shouldn't be too long. Except that since I now kind of want to test the pump, the gods that control such things will have to assemble just the right set of circumstances such as: I am running late for something, in a thunderstorm, in busy traffic. Yeah, that ought to do it. The karma has to stay balanced in these things. :)
Rainman

I can now confirm that the Topeak Mountain Morph pump works as advertised.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the Mountain Morph was sent to me in error, but I kept it as I was able to get the 110 psi into my road tire with no problem.

Today I picked up a staple in my rear tire, and after putting in a new tube had no problem with the pump, the first time I've used it in action. It took about 100 strokes to get 110-115 psi into my tire, but it was as easy to pump as my shop pump (Topeak Joe Blow Pro).

That's one of the most impressive reviews I've read in ages, aerobat! I will definitely be looking to get myself one of those babies when I can afford it.

The pumps I've had (Zefal and Blackburn), after 300 strokes, and numerous pop-offs and putting-back-ons, I was lucky to get to 80 lbs. Not fun on a 95-degree day, in the heart of questionable territory.

Field test report: Blackburn "Kamikaze" pump

Location: Linwood Ave. and Park Ave., Kansas City

Time: 4:05 PM, July 3, 2001

Environmental conditions: About 110 degrees F. in the sun.

Description of activity: Experienced flat; swapped damaged tube for brand new one I was lucky to have with me. Pumped it up with the Kamikaze. Two hundred strokes produced 42 pounds of pressure (1.75-inch MTB tire). By stroke no. 150 I was wishing for more brawn than I possess. :eek: :crash:

Conclusion: I want to get one of those Topeak jobs. :D

I have the Topeak Morph for my mountain bike and for my road bike I like to use CO2 cartridges. It is just so much easier for me personally. In my seat bag I carry a spare tube, 2 levers, a patch kit (the glue kind not the sticky kind.... which is garbage), moola, ID, and 2 CO2 cartridges which are on sale right now at EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) for $4.95 for a set of two.

It is just my personal preference when trying to pump up my road tires to 110 psi in a hurry.

I did learn to deflate your tire with the CO2 in it when you get home and inflate with your floor pump, because the CO2 only lasts about 2-3 days.