Touring - Pump, pump, and more pump!

Great site! There is much usefulness here to equip a cyclist with. Hopefully, someone can help me by recommending a pump that actually works. Mine is an old second-hand that never did work too well due to the air escaping out while I'm using it and my arm feeling like a separate entity afterwards. I neverminded it until now. I'll be riding across the U.S. beginning in July in an attempt to get fit. I have been working out for this for 6 months so it's not cold turkey. Everything is in order except a good pump. I've had bad flat experiences in the past.

You never know what really works until it's been tried. So, I've heard Topeak Master Blaster is an option. I've heard also of the pump Zefal. But I confess to no real knowledge of long-lasting pumps and am hoping someone else might have this nailed down.

I'll appreciate any reliable pump suggestions put forth. Thanks.

Topeak Road Morph w/ gauge.

I have a Blackburn FP-1 (frame mounted pump) and a Performance Minimax Hurricane. Both are great.

I like the Topeak Road Morph too.

Something else to consider: your old pump may indeed be junk, but you can usually revive a pump by putting some grease on the gasket to improve the seal (you've got to open it up). You should start with a good pump for a big trip like that, but I thought I'd mention this in case you have a problem along the way.

By the way (I should start another thread), I'm crossing the country too (a little earlier than you), and it sounds like several others around here are too. Maybe we should come up with some system for stashing snacks or advice (good campgrounds, restaurants, etc.) for other BikeForums members. Well, maybe not snacks - I can't imagine giving any up on a ride like that...

tootall] and lost marble
what routes are you going to be traveling o your trip where are you heading and where are you starting from?
c.Fish

I'm doing the TransAmerica trail, east->west. I'll be starting in Virginia and expect to more or less follow the official route.

Thank you RonH.

For anyone interested I'll be starting in Montreal, and working my way through some of the original 13 colonies :D and down to the Florida coastline as far south as I can go returning with more meander and following about the same route as how I come South.

I'm in Vermont now and will be in NH tomorrow for a short car trip to relatives.

I've had 2 Blackburn bottle cage mounted pumps, one short and the present long. Go for the longest barrel you can carry.

I agree with Chewa in that if you've got the frame space carry the longest pump you can, even the best mini pumps don't compete with a full size pump for speed of inflation.

If you want a mini pump I'm very happy with my Topeak Mini-Master Blaster DX, but if you've got the frame space the Topeak Road Morph is even better, I don't know about Topeak's larger pumps. Most Topeaks are easily user serviceable which is useful.

Richard

Personally, if I were travelling cross country, knowing that I might be very far from any other sources of air for my tires, I would (and do) carry not only a frame-pump, but a small CO2 "quick pump." These can be very cheap and can often work with standard 12-gram CO2 cartridges designed for BB-guns (about 25 percent of the cost of bike store cartridges.)

The purpose is not speed of inflation, however. The purpose is to ensure near maximum inflation, as frame pumps are "hard pressed" to get that maximum pressure.

Also, using a frame pump to get partial pressure, then topping off with a CO2 pump will spare your tire valve any unnecessary violence.

New to the forum, but daring to dive in...

I have done some cross country touring. I carry a topeak morph pump. I canNOT be beat. I also carry a CO2 inflator for fast, on the road repairs.

Definitely a Topeak Morph. I've got the Mountain Morph on my roadie, and it works just great.

Interesting to hear the comments on the CO2 inflators, that's something I've been thinking of, too. I think I'd alway want a pump for back up, though.

A Topeak morph pump is great.

:D

Originally posted by Pete Clark
Also, using a frame pump to get partial pressure, then topping off with a CO2 pump will spare your tire valve any unnecessary violence.

That's part of what's cool about the Road Morph - it's got a little hose that conects from the pump to the valve, so you can really lean into the pump without yanking the valve around.