Tandem Cycling - How do you get 100psi+ in the tire?

Sorry for the lame newbie question -
Is there a popular / cost-effective hand pump that can push 100+ psi, and what device are you using to check these high pressures?

Is there a popular / cost-effective hand pump that can push 100+ psi,

Blackburn FP-1, Zephal HP, Topeak Morph, etc...


what device are you using to check these high pressures?

My handy thumb gauge, i.e., squeezing the tire between my thumb and forefinger to get a relative sense of firmness compared to the tire that didn't go flat and/or from just knowing how your tires feel at safe operating pressures. Note: The Topeak Morph has a build-in gauge

OK, thanks TG -

Thumb is best calibrated with a gauged floor pump ahead of time.
My thumb curve flattens out around 85+ lbs and it gets harder to
tell whether you are at 90 or 110 though actually the pump itself
will let you know as the lactate begins to build up in your arms
above 80# even with the uberpumps listed. But the biceps gauge
is even less precise than the thumb gauge and fatigues rapidly.

Quick tip - if you are not using a track pump (only good reason is having a puncture on a ride) then there is an easy way to make inflation much easier:

Basic physics (Newton) says that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Thus when you push with the handle of the pump, the other hand has to use the same force to keep the rest of the pump still. Solution is to brace the end of the body of the pump against a tree, fence post, sign post or kerb edge so that you only provide half the force, just like a track pump. You do have to remove the wheel from the bike to do this, but you need to do that anyway to fix the puncture. Also you need to be moderately careful not to slip and twist the valve.

Few people seem to know this technique and look at you like you're stupid when you start pumping away, but are normally surprised how quickly you are ready to ride again.

Few people seem to know this technique ...

I didn't even realize it qualified as a technique; I've always thought that's quite simply the only logical way to use a frame pump.

Sure, it looks as queer as can be to passing motorists as you brace the head of the pump against your thigh (valve stem at the top of the wheel) while driving the pump handle in and out with purposeful enthusiasm using the right hand and steading the pump head and valve with the left... but as noted, it gets the job done.

Perhaps this is the appeal of the Topeak Morph with it's little foot and articulating handle, in that it replicates the action of a track pump, albeit with a very small air chamber.

On our tandem: Topeak Mt.Morph. 100 pump strokes gets in 100 lbs in a 700cx25 tire; yes it has a guage (which we don't use) we do the 'thumb' pressure bit. It'll pump up to 120.
^Almost^ a pleasure to have a flat with this pump!
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem