pumps that don't suck

[chimblysweep]

k, so i got taken down 65 mi into a 320 mi race this weekend by a topeak mini morph pump that couldn't get me up to pressure and thus resulted in pinch flats, again, and again, and again.

so...

what pumps don't suck?

requirements:
1. Gets up to 120psi
2. presta valve
3. I have a pump peg on my frame- so frame fit is ok.
4. I really hate frame pumps because usually they have no turning parts, so it's hold the pump on the valve with left hand and make in-n-out motions with right. i liked the morph pumps because they have the flip down foot lever and the turning pump head so it's slightly more, well, useful. Does anyone make a frame pump that does these extremely logical things?

thanks for any help you can offer. i'm rather distraught about all this.

[chipcom]

Road Morph.

[chimblysweep]

after being stranded this weekend, i don't think i'll ever buy a morph again.

[chipcom]

Oh well, good luck.

[darsu]

I'd like to hear some non-Morph recommendations too, but for another reason - the national distributor here thinks that model line is junk (bizarre, considering the rave-up the models get here) and won't import it! I have a Crank Bros Power Pump Pro and while it's technically solid, I can't get past 80 psi with it, not with my muscles...

[Marcello]

k, so i got taken down 65 mi into a 320 mi race this weekend

Was it the trans-Iowa race?

I also use the road morph with gauge, so I can't really suggest a pump that is better than what you already have. But my suggestion would be to try to avoid pinch flats in the first place. Have you considered wider tires that will not require 120+ PSI? I am running Continental 4 Season 700x28 and they are just fine at 90-100 PSI. Good lights and fresh batteries also help you avoid potholes and obstacles at night, reducing the risk of pinch flats.

[Bacciagalupe]

what pumps don't suck? i'm rather distraught about all this.
I'd go with a CO2 inflator. Small, fast, easy, no fuss.

[supcom]

after being stranded this weekend, i don't think i'll ever buy a morph again.

That's a shame. Was your pump defective or is that typical for a mini-morph? The road morph is very popular amongst Randonneurs. I used mine twice to inflate other rider's tires last weekend on a 600K brevet.

[chimblysweep]

Was it the trans-Iowa race?

I also use the road morph with gauge, so I can't really suggest a pump that is better than what you already have. But my suggestion would be to try to avoid pinch flats in the first place. Have you considered wider tires that will not require 120+ PSI? I am running Continental 4 Season 700x28 and they are just fine at 90-100 PSI. Good lights and fresh batteries also help you avoid potholes and obstacles at night, reducing the risk of pinch flats.
yeah, transiowa. *grumble*

i run 26 x 1.25 but every time i was over ~60psi the mini morph would start pushing itself off the valve and leaking. it was the combo of pothole-filled gravel and less-than-ideal pressure that flatted me.

[spokenword]

i run 26 x 1.25 but every time i was over ~60psi the mini morph would start pushing itself off the valve and leaking. it was the combo of pothole-filled gravel and less-than-ideal pressure that flatted me. sounds like an issue with the pump head and a candidate for warranty service. One of my teammates on our recent fleche fixed his flat with a road morph. I don't think he was riding tires that needed 120psi, but he was certainly able to pump it beyond 60 without problems.

I use a Zefal frame pump, but it doesn't do the floor pump transform thing that the Topeak Morph is famous for. However, as a frame pump, it's been fine for getting my tires up to 80 psi (which is all that they need).

[chimblysweep]

ah... interesting. i didn't think it was a warranty issue.

[derath]

Road Morph.

+1

The only pump better is a full size floor pump.


Sounds like yours has an issue. Luckily Topeak is awesome about standing behind their products.

-D

[bmclaughlin807]

Go to Topeak's web site, ( www.todson.com (http://www.todson.com/support/) ) and put in a support request. They'll send you the parts needed to overhaul your pump. Took me 3 days to get the parts, free of charge. Takes about 3 minutes to install.

I have a Road Morph and a Mini Morph... either will easily take me to 90 psi (Operating pressure for my tires) and I've used my Road Morph twice for tires rated at 120 psi.

The only issues I've had were

1) Retaining nut fell off (The part you remove to switch from Presta-schrader)... They sent a replacement, as well as the full overhaul kit
2) The mini morph was extremely difficult to pump with when I got it, would heat up, and the o-ring on the inside came loose and got mangled. Turns out the lubricant inside the barrel of the pump had dried out while it was on the shelf in the store... a new o-ring (I had a spare from the kit to repair my road morph) and a small amount of silicone based grease, and the pump is excellent and hasn't caused me any problems at all

[Brusheda]

Vaccuums suck, pumps blow.
Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Carbonfiberboy]

Zefal HPX is The Standard Frame Pump. During a flat stop on a group ride, the question always is, "Who has a Zefal?" They're fast, they pump up to a sufficiently high pressure, and they never seem to break. OTOH, if you need to get more than about 100 lbs., you need a Blackburn Air Stik. They will take you to over 150, but it takes a while, so in that case, better to start with someone else's Zefal and switch to your Air Stik. I've been told that Road Morphs are good pumps, but I've never seen one deployed at a flat stop. Maybe they're just more trouble and people don't get them out.

[bmclaughlin807]

Bah. I've used my Road Morph more times than I can count. For both my own flats and other peoples. I've actually worn off all the lettering on the outside of the pump.

[Machka]

Topeak Road Morph.

I've had mine for several years and have no trouble at all getting the pressure up to 100 psi or higher. In fact, I crashed 3 weeks ago and tore/pulled most the muscles in my left rotator cuff, and my left pec was almost pulled from my collarbone. I also have tricep tendonitis in my right arm. And yet ... 3 days after that crash, I had a flat and was able to pump my tire to 100 psi in no time at all.

In addition to that, I lost the retaining cap to my road morph in December. I contacted Topeak and they sent me a new one.

I too have worn off all the lettering on the outside of the pump!! :D

[Machka]

yeah, transiowa. *grumble*

i run 26 x 1.25 but every time i was over ~60psi the mini morph would start pushing itself off the valve and leaking. it was the combo of pothole-filled gravel and less-than-ideal pressure that flatted me.


Wait a minute ... you were trying to pump 26 x 1.25s up to 120 psi??? Don't they only have a rating of about 60 psi?

[jschen]

Road Morph. I haven't flatted for about 2400 miles, but the pump has seen decent use pumping up others' tires.

[charles vail]

Zefal frame pump and......change to 32mm tires that only require 95 psi maximum. You can ride then with less pressure, if you are light and you'll be faster on rough chipseal, have less flats, gain a smoother ride and have less to worry about when it comes to filling them with air. Any decent full size frame pump will get you 100+ psi. Stop with the mini pumps and super skinny tires. The skinnies are for racers and racers have support cars and don't pump their own tires. :eek:

[chipcom]

Zefal frame pump and......change to 32mm tires that only require 95 psi maximum. You can ride then with less pressure, if you are light and you'll be faster on rough chipseal, have less flats, gain a smoother ride and have less to worry about when it comes to filling them with air. Any decent full size frame pump will get you 100+ psi. Stop with the mini pumps and super skinny tires. The skinnies are for racers and racers have support cars and don't pump their own tires. :eek:

:rolleyes: I guess I must be a racer with 25s on my road bike and 28s on my commuter, even 28s on the touring bike at the moment (gonna be my backup bike for RAIN if the weather looks iffy)...but wait, I pump my own tires, with a Road Morph! :eek: Now I am confused...am I a racer, the Mother of all Freds, or just a guy who chooses equipment based on his own needs and experience?

[GamecockTaco]

OP, as suggested, get a Road Morph. Not the mini version, the slightly larger one. I have had no problems using mine to get to 110+ PSI and have helped many a riding companion with it.

[chimblysweep]

Wait a minute ... you were trying to pump 26 x 1.25s up to 120 psi??? Don't they only have a rating of about 60 psi?
no, i needed ~80psi at that point... the tires say something like 45-85 on 'em but the potholes in the gravel demanded more than the minimum.

i have several bikes, though, and i ain't looking to buy a different pump for each. my 700x23 commuter demands 120.

sounds like a road morph for me.
i sorta want the Zefal but they're quite hard to find right now- i guess they're redesigning 'em or something.

[charles vail]

no, i needed ~80psi at that point... the tires say something like 45-85 on 'em but the potholes in the gravel demanded more than the minimum.

i have several bikes, though, and i ain't looking to buy a different pump for each. my 700x23 commuter demands 120.

sounds like a road morph for me.
i sorta want the Zefal but they're quite hard to find right now- i guess they're redesigning 'em or something.

I have a Topeak frame pump on my group ride bike and it seems to perform as well as or better, than my old Zefal. I guess I like the looks of a full frame pump and don't trust minis. I do have a telescoping Blackburn on my recumbent and a simular, other brand, on a MTB that seems to work for the 80 psi tires on those bikes. When you need 120 psi a full frame pump seems easiest to pump up, at least for me.

[charles vail]

:rolleyes: I guess I must be a racer with 25s on my road bike and 28s on my commuter, even 28s on the touring bike at the moment (gonna be my backup bike for RAIN if the weather looks iffy)...but wait, I pump my own tires, with a Road Morph! :eek: Now I am confused...am I a racer, the Mother of all Freds, or just a guy who chooses equipment based on his own needs and experience?

Yes, you are a racer ! I suppose I am on my soapbox again......theres certainly nothing wrong with 28mm tires I rode them for about a year but I had one blow out and went to 32mm tires, with about 90 psi. I have ridden them with 80 psi and no pinch flats. I am 260 so I got tired of flatting narrower tires and can't stand fixing flats on the side of the road, in the cold, when its raining.
I have a old short wheelbase race bike with 25 mm tires but I only ride it on smooth asphalt, since the chipseal rattles my fillings and vibrates my fat to new levels of oscillation! :o
I've found the speed difference to be very slight, going from a 25 to a 32 and I actually want to try some 37mm tires. On rough roads, I think I am actually faster with the wider tires and certainly more comfortable. As the miles add up, I can ride for longer if I don't get so much road buzz. I suppose if I lived in a less rainy climate and had more asphalt roads with clean shoulders I might ride a narrower tire more often but probably I would lace up the tubular rims, for the old race bike, if I could get it to fit my old body better. ;)

[Six jours]

Another vote for Co2. They're more expensive in the long run, but such a time and effort saver. Figure it costs me a couple of bucks per flat -- which is nothing compared to the other ways I waste my money -- but fixing a flat takes about 3 minutes from start to finish, I don't have to wear myself out with a hand pump, and I don't have to carry a big old pump and worry about it falling off of my bike over potholes or anything. FWIW. :)

[joshnc]

Topeak customer service is excellent!!! I would never get anything else.

[HardyWeinberg]

I assume full-length frame pumps aren't that hard to use w/o tearing out the valve stem, but I love the hose on the morph that separates the pumping action from the tire.

It does take a lot of strokes for the morph to get up to 100 psi (~1 stroke/1-2psi through maybe 60, then it starts getting to be more and more (and more) strokes/psi). It always works though.

I've never had a functional problem w/ either of 2 road morphs. I did lose the footpad for one, and they just sent me another. I'm waiting on hearing from them to see if they can resolve a different issue w/ a different part, but so far so good.

[charles vail]

I assume full-length frame pumps aren't that hard to use w/o tearing out the valve stem, but I love the hose on the morph that separates the pumping action from the tire.

It does take a lot of strokes for the morph to get up to 100 psi (~1 stroke/1-2psi through maybe 60, then it starts getting to be more and more (and more) strokes/psi). It always works though.

I've never had a functional problem w/ either of 2 road morphs. I did lose the footpad for one, and they just sent me another. I'm waiting on hearing from them to see if they can resolve a different issue w/ a different part, but so far so good.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction! If you hold on and pull slightly when you are pumping with a full length pump you shouldn't tear the stem off. I most always use a floor pump and only use a frame pump when I have a blowout or a slow leak. This rarely happens however since I run 32 mm tires and plan on 37's soon.

Big wide tires, equal less pressure, more comfort on variable road surfaces, not much reduction in speed on smooth asphalt, improved speed on chip seal or other rough roads and finally less need to pump your tires since you flat less often or perhaps not at all.

[Machka]

Big wide tires, equal less pressure, more comfort on variable road surfaces, not much reduction in speed on smooth asphalt, improved speed on chip seal or other rough roads and finally less need to pump your tires since you flat less often or perhaps not at all.

But not all of us have that option. The widest I can go is 25s.

[hairlessbill]

I've got a Topeak Mountain Morph pump but I still prefer my Blackburn frame pump for fast fill-ups. Will go to 160 psi according to their specifications. Works for me so far. I mount it on the seat tube between the left seatstay and bottom bracket/chainstay junction.

[tibikefor2]

I carry a Zefal HPX and a Co2 inflator with two cartridges

[DogBoy]

I use the WINDPIPE FRAME MOUNT SHOCK PUMP (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=25948).

Its big, heavy and inflates everything under the sun. Probably not the best for a racer, but works well for me. Mounts under your bottle cage on the downtube.

Edit: I included the name in case the link doesn't work
Edit 2: apparently the first click of the link says come back later. Second click works. Six Jours is right..the specialized site is a PITA! But the pump works.

[Six jours]

The link didn't work for me. (The Specialized website in general is a massive PITA, as far as I'm concerned.) What is it that you're using?

[charles vail]

But not all of us have that option. The widest I can go is 25s.

I'm sorry......I had the same problem on a very nice lugged frame. Perhaps a new bike or conversion to 650B is in order.

[Jeprox]

To the OP, no pump can cause pinch flats. To avoid pinch flats, squeeze out all the air you can, from the new inner tube. Don't put air in it, for it to take shape, that is totally wrong. Place the inner tube into the tire and mount the tire on the rim. Inspect the mounting such that you do not see the inner tube when the sidewalls are squeezed together. This guarantees no pinch flats.

Edit: The road morphs are pretty good pumps. At high pressure, as with all pumps, it gets harder to pump. The road morph can get me the high pressure I want.

[richardh]

I just bought a Topeak Road Morph about a week ago off ebay for $25 ($31 Shipped) and glad I did. Today I got a flat and I was able to patch the tire and pump it up to 120 psi with no problems with the Road Morph. I love the built in gauge.

[JonathanG]

Has any one tried the Quicker Pro available from Velo Orange, and described here (http://velo-orange.com/quickerpropump.html)? It sounds great, and I'm interested to know if any member has any experience with it.

Jonathan

[merlinman]

I have one. It works fine. It is bulky (I prefer a slimmer profile) and too heavy for my taste. It has an attachment system which I do not like - rubber system that does not hook up to bottle cage mounts and it does not feel like it is that secure. I ended up mounting it to an old mountain bike the kids use once in a while.

[djgonzo007]

I'd go with a CO2 inflator. Small, fast, easy, no fuss.

Word ^ I'll never go back to a reg pump again.

[Paul L.]

Well, my roadmorph and I have been through it all. I wasn't really converted until I tried my first double century, alone, in the rain, with flooded roads. I had 14 flats that day and pumped up my tires so many times I can't count. The road morph held up all the way through the ordeal. I have tried other pumps with flashy carbon tubes and lighter weight but I always come back to the road morph. In fact, if I had had my road morph on the last 600k instead of the little lipstick case pump I had (fell victim to the light = good temptation) I probably would not have DNF'd, my moral tanked when I realized I would have to pump up that tire with the mini-pump, if I'd had the Road Morph it wouldn't have been any big deal. Anyway, that's my 2cents. Mini morph does not = road/mountain morph.

[Machka]

Word ^ I'll never go back to a reg pump again.

But aren't CO2 inflators one-time only? How many do you carry on a 600K? 1000K? 1200K?

[froze]

But aren't CO2 inflators one-time only? How many do you carry on a 600K? 1000K? 1200K?

You go down to Walmart and buy them in bulk that come in a box of 50 and just strap onto your rear bike rack.

Today there are several mini pumps, if your trying to conserve weight, that can reach 145+ psi and be reliable doing it. BlackBurn Airstik CF mini 160psi; Topeak Micro Rocket CF 160psi; Barbieri TI 160psi; just to list a few.

I know you will never pump your tires past 130 so why get a pump that will go up to 160? Because that means you will exert less energy to reach lower levels then you would with a pump that has a max rating of 100.

[bmclaughlin807]

Yes, but how long will it take you to pump a 700c x 35mm tire to 90 lbs? (Yes, that's what I have on my bike at the moment)

I love my Road Morph. And the Mini Morph. I don't even have a floor pump at home, I just use my Road Morph. :)

[Paul L.]

You go down to Walmart and buy them in bulk that come in a box of 50 and just strap onto your rear bike rack.

Today there are several mini pumps, if your trying to conserve weight, that can reach 145+ psi and be reliable doing it. BlackBurn Airstik CF mini 160psi; Topeak Micro Rocket CF 160psi; Barbieri TI 160psi; just to list a few.

I know you will never pump your tires past 130 so why get a pump that will go up to 160? Because that means you will exert less energy to reach lower levels then you would with a pump that has a max rating of 100.


That is what I thought. I had a flat 130 miles into the 600k and I discovered a flat tire after coming out of the store. I was at a low point and the thought of spending the next 20 minutes using that little pump to inflate the tire to pressure just broke me down. It would not have been a big deal with the Road Morph.

[palmersperry]

Noone else seems to have suggested it, so how about the Cyclaire (http://www.cyclaire.com/bikepump.html)? I've got no problems with the one I've got, though I only need to inflate to ~100psi and also seem to have been lucky wrt the p*nct*re fairy recently. (Having checked the website it would appear that 120 is the maximum it will inflate to, so it might take a while to get there?)

[Bacciagalupe]

But aren't CO2 inflators one-time only? How many do you carry on a 600K? 1000K? 1200K?
How many flats do you usually get on a 600k, 1000k or 1200k ride? ;)

You can also get combo CO2 / mini-pumps; I'd recommend that for unsupported rides over, I dunno, 600k maybe? That way you can inflate fast, and still have a backup if you totally run out of cartridges.

To wit: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16497&subcategory_ID=4362

[Six jours]

Worst day I ever had, puncture-wise, was an eight hour ride in the rain including some truly delectable parts of Long Beach, San Pedro, and a number of other "heavy commercial" type areas. Nasty roads covered with wet detritus. Light tubulars, four flats. I was lucky to be on a ride with the team, otherwise I would have walked home. (I've never been in the habit of carrying four spare tubulars around with me.)

So I figure for the longest rides, I can take half a dozen Co2 cartridges with me. More than six flats means god doesn't want me to ride any more that day:-)

[froze]

Yes, but how long will it take you to pump a 700c x 35mm tire to 90 lbs? (Yes, that's what I have on my bike at the moment)

I love my Road Morph. And the Mini Morph. I don't even have a floor pump at home, I just use my Road Morph. :)

People think that those mini's you have to pump 500 times to get the air pressure up to 90lbs in your example, and that simply is not true. I have a Torelli Aria mini that is no where near as good as the mini's out today and it only requires about 148 pumps to get a 700x28 up to 100psi...though with that pump it is a struggle to get the last 10psi in; therefore getting a 35mm up to 90 would take maybe 20 more pumps, but it would be easier because your not pushing the pumps max capability of 100.

The newer mini pumps that go to 160 would be a cinch to get to 100psi and do it faster then mine.

[froze]

That is what I thought. I had a flat 130 miles into the 600k and I discovered a flat tire after coming out of the store. I was at a low point and the thought of spending the next 20 minutes using that little pump to inflate the tire to pressure just broke me down. It would not have been a big deal with the Road Morph.

It doesn't take anywhere near 20 minutes to inflate a tire with a mini. I have an older slower Torelli Aria mini and it only takes me about 7 minutes, give or take a minute with the mini (when I'm motivated); AND THAT INCLUDES removing the wheel, removing part of the tire and tube, repairing the hole, putting it all back together and of course pumping!! How does that equate to 20 minutes of just pumping? You must be ridiculously slow.