General Cycling Discussion - Good floor pump for weakling?

I just bought a Blackburn Trac Sport 2 floor pump to air my road tires to 100/120. It took more strength than my upper body could handle. Is there any floor pump that would make airing my tires easier. I think I about broke a rib or sternum bone last time I tried airing my tires. Thanks for your comments.

I like the floor pump I just got:Ascent Mega Force Floor Pump. I'm a 5 foot tall lady and I'm able to pump my tires up to 120 psi no problem. This pump has a thicker diameter tube than other pumps I've seen. I'm guessing it's easier to push a fat column of air as opposed to a tall skinny column.

I practically had to jump on my old pump to get up to the right pressure.

I'm guessing it's easier to push a fat column of air as opposed to a tall skinny column.

Actually it's the opposite. It is easier to push a skinny column of air, but it pumps less volume of air than a fatter column of the same height. The problem with your old pump was probably just a bad design in general.

To the O.P., try looking at pumps that are made to pump high pressures. The Silca Pista comes to mind.

I practically had to jump on my old pump to get up to the right pressure.

WOW! and I thought it was just me!!
After 100psi, I do have to do a little jumping to get the full 120 :o
Someone told me to do heavier benchpresses :rolleyes:

I bought a caulfield one piston compressor & 25 foot hose for $125.00. I love this thing. It takes care of the cars and bikes no sweat. bk

WOW! and I thought it was just me!!
After 100psi, I do have to do a little jumping to get the full 120 :o
Someone told me to do heavier benchpresses :rolleyes:

Dude! If you are not strong enough to push the handle, you must be a very light person. So, why do you need 120 psi?

I have to second the Silka Pista. Not only are they great for high pressure but they last forever.

SB

The next model up from the Blackburn TP2 is very low effort. The TP2 is a great reliable pump but it is relatively stiff. The next model up (I forget what it is) retails around $54.99 as I recall. But, as someone else said, if you are light enough that you have trouble getting to 120psi, you really don't need 120psi more than likely.

Dude! If you are not strong enough to push the handle, you must be a very light person. So, why do you need 120 psi?

I am... but I'm mighty! :)
I was told 120 is what I should run 'em at, so that's what I do...

Actually it's the opposite. It is easier to push a skinny column of air, but it pumps less volume of air than a fatter column of the same height. The problem with your old pump was probably just a bad design in general.

To the O.P., try looking at pumps that are made to pump high pressures. The Silca Pista comes to mind.

Actually it's the oppsoite. The advantage of the skinnier column of air is that you can get your tire up to a higher pressure.

The larger the area of the pump piston, the more effort is required to reach a given pressure. If you have a 1si piston and there is ten psi on the other side it is pushing back with ten psi, but if the piston is 2si then the effort will be double or like having 20psi on the 1si pump. This does not include the effort needed to overcome the valve.
Topeak makes a ladies pump that has a smaller piston and is slightly shorter than their standard pump.

Im a heavy 125lbs. I actually have to sit one the pump arm of mine to get it over 100. :D

So I cant really help you here. I just managed through it and hope I get stronger.

You can borrow my floor pump, in three flats on high end road tires you'll go from 90 pound weakling to a 180 pound MAN with this pump. Even carrying to the bike is exercise!