General Cycling Discussion - Best Mini-Pump

I have a frame pump, currently. I like it, but it scratched the paint off of my frame. I'm building up a new bike, come spring, and I want to save it's paint from my current pump.

So, I'm looking for a mini-pump that has small enough to fit in my jersey pocket, is fairly lightweight, is easy to use, and has minimal inflation time. I just need a presta-compatible pump.

Any suggestions for the best one for the money? Links to your suggestions would be appreciated.

velo

I was just checking out this one. Any comments? I like Silca pumps.

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Mini+Mini+Road+Pump&vendorCode=SILCA&major=3&minor=9

I've never found a mini pump small enough to fit your jersey pocket that would do an adequate job pumping up a road tire. On my roadster I carry a CO2 inflator and a couple of cartridges. I am confident of my ability to inflate a tire with the thing and careful to make repairs right the first time.

The blackburn mini is ok,
but as Regularguy says none of the mini pumps
will get you going as fast as a full size pump.
where did your old pump scratch your frame?
could you put some clear tape (like used on chainstays)
over the paint and use full size pump?

Marty

Originally posted by lotek
where did your old pump scratch your frame?
could you put some clear tape (like used on chainstays)
over the paint and use full size pump?


I have the pump across the top tube. So, it scratched where it meets the head tube & seat tube. I was thinking about the tape idea, but it's a brand new frame, you know, and I don't really want to put any sloppy-looking things on it already.

I've only ever used a frame pump. So, what's up with these CO2 things? I heard that they're a little tricky to use. Are they any better than mini pumps? What's up the threaded vs. unthreaded ones?

I find the all of the topeak products work well, I also carry a frame pump because it's much faster and easier to use, I also had the paint problem under the top tube of my bikes, I cut a 1" sqare of self stick velcro tape (the soft side) and stuck it to the under side of the top tube where the pump handle flare hits, I stuck a small piece of the hard grabby side of the velcro tape to the pump handle where it lines up with the piece on the tube. When the pump is installed the velcro stops the pump from chattering and scratching the frame when I hit bumps. It works great, I have been doing this for years, my pump never jumps off the pin with the tape installed. Oh, I carry a zefal HPX, I've tried many minis, no mini works as well or as fast.

Velo,

I don't know a little tape cut to fit wouldn't junk
up the frame, at least not if you do it tastefully!
I'm not sure the difference in the threaded vs non threaded
cartridges (threadless?), but I think you can
use the ones for BB guns if you get the threadless.
they are also cheaper and you can get em at wallmart
etc.
The only problem I've heard with the C02 is that they
may not fill a HP road tire, and if you flat more than
once and only have one cartridge your ride is toast
(unless someone happens to loan you their frame fit!).
just my $.02

Marty

I'm with Reg. guy on this one. CO2 can be cheap if you get 12 gram refills from the bb-gun store, maybe 50 cents a pop.

Every kind of portable manual pump I've used seems to ruin my valve stems, no matter how carefully I try to use it.

That said, I try to carry both -- to be a good boy scout.

Buy a small one and put in your seat pack.I only use it for flats,not to keep air in my tires.

Okay...so maybe the best option would be to try to modify my pump and/or frame with tape. Or, go with CO2 and carry an extra cartridge?

Originally posted by velo

So, what's up with these CO2 things? I heard that they're a little tricky to use. Are they any better than mini pumps? What's up the threaded vs. unthreaded ones?

CO2 inflators are very fast. If you take the time to read the instructions and practice with them, they really aren't hard to use at all. Unthreaded cartridges are cheap and easy to come by (think WallyWorld). The threaded ones are a little pricier and harder to find (think mail order). Some inflators, like the Innovations Ultraflates, will take both types of cartridges. I find that one unthreaded CO2 cartridge will put about 90 psi in a road tire. That's enough to limp home on.

The big drawback on a CO2 inflator is that once the cartridge is empty it's empty. Minipumps can keep pumping forever. Unfortunately, you have to pump them forever.

Okay, I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a CO2 inflator. I'm looking at the Innovations ones. Is there a real difference between the Innovations Ultraflate and the Microflate.

The Microflate just takes threaded catridges, which are more expensive I know, but I don't flat that often, so it won't be a big deal. The Microflate itself is cheaper, so...

What's your opinion?

I found links to both: Ultraflate (http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Ultraflate+CO2+System&vendorCode=INNOVAT&major=3&minor=9)
Microflate (http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Microflate+CO2+Adaptor&vendorCode=INNOVAT&major=3&minor=9)

the Crank Brothers Power Pump Alloy is the BEST mini pump I have ever used. The high volume/high pressure switch really works.

velo, get the Innovations CO2 inflator that is yellow...I don't remember which one it is. But it's not to expensive, and you can control the CO2 flow. Some of them once you use it, whether you use all the CO2 or not, it's done for. The coolest thing about the CO2 inflators is that in less than a second, you can get your tire up to near the max psi. I have yet to get my road tyres up to snuff with a mini pump.

They aren't real tricky, just make sure you have it all the way on the valve before you pull the trigger. Carry an extra cartiridge too.

Just checked your links, get the ultraflate. The microflate is better for MTB because you can carry a bigger CO2 canister, I tried it for awhile with my road bike, but I liked the ultraflate better. The ultraflate is what I have, it's been great.

Don't buy CO2 from the LBS though, they charge like 2.50 a pop. Go to wally world and get a big box of cartridges.

What Fubar said.

Velo,
I think I have the Ultraflate. It gives you the option of using threaded or unthreaded cartridges. If you want to go ultra-light you can carry just the head and a threaded cartridge. I think the Microflate is basically just the head part of the Ultraflate. For most riding you carry the head and body with an unthreaded cartridge or 2 (as a commuter I keep about 4 in my seat bag 'cause ya never know). You can buy the unthreaded cartridges in boxes of 25 for about $9 at Wal-Mart with the bb gun stuff. The threaded cartridges cost quite a bit, like a couple of bucks each. I have never had any trouble using mine. It works on presta or schrader. For presta you just push it on and pull the trigger. For schrader you screw the head on the valve then pull the trigger. Inflates a 700x23 in about 3 seconds - lots faster than any pump. One caveat. I have read that when you get home you should let the CO2 out of your tire and pump it up with a regular pump. Something about the CO2 maybe affecting certain types of tubes. I don't know for sure, but I do it anyway since in only takes a couple of minutes and doesn't happen often anyway. Also, it's probably not a good idea to carry the inflator with a cartridge installed. For one thing the gas may bleed out, for another there is no "safety" so it is easy for the trigger to accidentally activate, wasting gas and possibly causing minor injury.
FWIW,
Raymond

Great, thanks for the advice anyone. I'm going to pick up the Ultraflate at my LBS, then I'll pick up some cartridges somewhere else for cheap. Thanks again!

velo

Lets try this one under the 'better late than never category'. Just saw this mini frame pump in the latest catalog from World Cycling Productions. It is the Barbieri CarbOne Mini Pump. It is made from carbon fiber, weighs in at a svelte 69 grams, Ergonomic grip, compact dimensions (length 23cm, diameter 18mm) with pressures to 140 psi, and a water bottle braze mtg. clips. Price you ask? $29.95

I looked at their web site; http://www.worldcycling.com/ but didn't see it listed. If your interested you'll have to call their 800 # listed on their web site... ;)

Like Cypher said--better late than never...
Go with the innovations that uses threadless cartridges and get a schrader adapter($.95-$1.50 at any bike shop) that you screw on to your presta valve. That way when you fill your tire, you have a complete seal fron the inflator to the valve stem and you won't lose any air pressure as you fill the tire.

Rick

Dude,

If you don't want to put tape on your bike frame, why not apply it to the pump??

Wouldn't the tape protect your frame no matter if it's on the pump or frame?


CranialCrusader

Here we go with the better late than never thing. Look unless your racing CO's are not necessary. With CO's you have to contend with the trash; or you could do what some of the bike monkeys around where I live do, toss them on the side of the road!! Plus you always have to be hoping to had carry enough and hoping that you don't forget to replace the one you used on your last ride, or forgot to buy more before you ride...all of which seems to be a hassle to me-unless I was racing.

There are 3 mini-pumps on the market that can pump to 160: Blackburn AS-1 Air Stik Mini and Specialize 03 Airforce 4 and Airforce 2 (not sure what the difference is between those last 2 other than price), price ranges start at $15 for the Airforce 2 to $20 for the 4 to $25 for the Blackburn. I used (don't own) the Blackburn just to see how good it was and was able to inflate to 140 without out turning beet red in the face, and that was 5 pounds over max recommended pressure in my tire!

The way I see it is if I'm too weak to pump up a skinny tire than maybe I'm too weak to be on a bike!!!!!!!

By the way I do carry a frame pump (Silca) AND a Torelli mini as a back up which I will be dumping in favor of one of the above pumps I mentioned. BUT the reason I carry 2 pumps is because I ride in very remote roads and do not want to be walking due to a bad pump; but I also carry a spare tire and tube along with patch and boot kits for the same reason.

I agree with Froze on the CO2's. The Crank Bros. mini-pump is my favorite.

I was a sceptic about getting a pump, having relied on CO2 for the past several years. I decided to get one and didn't want to spend much money, so bought the least expensive ($16) that my LBS had. It is a Raceday and it is made in Germany and has been far better than I ever expected. So good that I no longer carry the weight of CO2. The Raceday works better. And the nice thing about it is that it comes with two small plastic mounting parts that fit under the bottle cage. Pump clips into these very securely and they do not mar the frame. Also, I am able to get 110+ psi without too much effort. Try it. You'll like it.