Commuting - Frame pump... good for commute?

Just wondering what to look for in a frame pump. Are they good or should I just get a regular small pump instead?
Is Blackburn Frame Pump good? They come in different sizes.

For pumps, bigger is better.

For pumps, bigger is better.

He's right .. bigger is better. If you're low on space and get a small pump, I'd carry CO2 as well to supplement, especially if you need to get a high pressure tire up and going again quickly.

i got mine at wal mart ... ( * looks both ways and runs from thread * )

Topeak Road Morph. I'll only be the first of many to say it.

Volume is king, but if you want/need a more compact variety, Lezyne makes some of the nicest pumps out there. They aren't cheap, but they're very high quality and have some nice features. I like that there is a hose (I believe the road morph has this as well) which threads onto a presta valve. This means you don't have to worry about wrecking a tube valve by holding the pump head in place while you inflate the tire. I have the "Road Drive" model, but I'm pretty sure they have some higher volume models as well.

Topeak Mountain Morph G, or Road Morph G (if you need greater than 100# pressure.) Air is always available, CO2 isn't.

Thanks. However I am interested in the opinion on frame pump. Does it need to be sized to the bike size?

Those are frame pumps, and include the mounting bracket. Find the cheapest price, print it, ant take it to your nearest Performance. I got mine for $17.

The Mountain Morph has a larger barrel, so pumps more, faster. The Road Morph has a thinner barrel, so pumps higher pressures easier. The Mountain Morph is easily capable of 100#. Make sure you get the G models, as they have a good gauge included on the pump.

So...Im not trying to hijack the thread but my old trek frame has a frame pump peg on the inside of the headtube and I'm wondering if newer pumps even take use of this, as the pumps mentioned in this thread usually come with mounting brackets. I'm refinishing my bike and am contemplating cutting it off.

Hurricane MiniMax Mini Pump from Performance. Works just like a road/mountain morph minus the PSI gauge for less than half the price of the Topeaks.

Road morph for me :)

Just wondering what to look for in a frame pump. Are they good or should I just get a regular small pump instead?
Is Blackburn Frame Pump good? They come in different sizes.

IMH, but experienced opinion the ONLY frame pump for a cycle-commuter is the Topeak Road Morph w/gauge. It pumps to 140 psi and is very user friendly. Can be adapted for presta or schrader valve stems. Usually, they can be had for 30-35.00US from a variety of online sources. I've got 3. You wont regret the purchase of one, believe me.

Road Morph G. You want a pressure gauge as it's difficult to tell when your tire is properly inflated by feel - especially with 100PSI+ road tires. This pump is easy to mount and it works good. Don't screw around trying to save a buck or two.

There is only one requirment when sizing a pump to your frame - it has to fit where you want to mount it.

Just a quick search comes up with these prices - with more digging, under $20 should be possible.

http://www.nextag.com/TOPEAK-Mountain-Morph-Bike-503196919/prices-html

Road morph for me :)

I'll add that I am an other super happy Road Morph G user. I've used it as my primary pump for well over a year. I finally bought a good floor pump, as I don't want to break the Road Morph by over use... but seeing that it was used at least twice a week for well over a year it is one seriously strong, yet light pump. I also realy like knowing the actual pressure.

Happy riding,
André

Just to clarify - the Mountain Morph is rated to 160#, and I have used it up to 125#. But, it is noticeably more difficult to pump once you get to 100-110. It still works, you just have to work harder.

Bring your bike to the shop when you go and make sure that your front derailleur mount doesn't conflict with it. My wife's bike can take either a water bottle or a pump even though it has two sets of braze-ons. Conveniently for her, my wife likes water and hates pumping up tires.

pubb

The road morph has a bracket to mount to the frame. Is there really that much difference between that and an actual frame pump?

The road morph has never let me down. Even when it just sits there in all weather, getting wet, icy, snowy, whatever, it just works when it's time.

OK the Blackburn one is spring loaded. It doesn't have a bracket. Anyone used these?

OK, after 3 Serfas pumps with dual heads died on me, I got myself Road Morph - rated to 160 psi, has a flip-off foot peg, flexible hose and a gauge, fairly accurate. This is not a pump "to get you home", this is full-service tower pump in road-sized package. One drawback - mounting bracket can not be screwed into the bosses together with drink cage, or it has to be mounted with zip-ties (included). Ugh.
Thankfully, I had bunch of spares from Serfas products, and the outer diameter is the same.

Ride safe

SF

Topeak Road Morph. I'll only be the first of many to say it.

Yep.

Topeak Road Morph. I'll only be the first of many to say it.

x10

Can I interrupt the Road Morph love to say something important?

This is a frame pump
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2943050468_8cecd5ef87.jpg

Notice how it is held in place by spring tension, not by a mount. Notice how it is fit to the length of a frame tube, notice how it is much longer than most pumps you see.

this is a minipump
http://images.buzzillions.com/images_customers/05/41/6757725_57828_raw.jpg

Notice how it is held in place by a mounting bracket. Notice it's short length, making it easy to place wherever a bracket can be mounted (perhaps this is why it's known as a 'mini' pump. Notice how one size fits all.

These are not interchangeable. One isn't better than the other, but you can't go calling the Road Morph a frame pump.


wait, sorry op, I forgot you wanted advice.

A frame pump, generally speaking, pumps more air than a minipump, due to the larger volume. This makes tire inflation quicker and easier. However, there aren't many frame pumps on the market (Blackburn, Zefal, and Park, as far as I know.) There has been a good bit of development towards good mini-pumps, that's why the road morph is such a well liked pump. However frame pumps are pretty much the same as ever.

The primary difference as I see it, a frame pump is mounted to a frame, so it's always there when you need it, while minipumps are more mobile. A frame pump is always there, when you need it or when someone want's to steal it. I've had one frame pump stolen, (or maybe lost, it just wasn't there one day). I've also had many flat tires that I couldn't repair because I left my minipump in my bag (from when I locked my bike outside) or it was on a different bike, or other stupid reasons.

This is a frame pump


Umm, last time I looked my Road Morph was mounted to the frame...via that handy mounting bracket that came with the pump. :)

Well, I guess I will be the first to say it.... Zefal HPx. I have a couple of them and they have been great. They are easy to use and they will fit on the nub that you mentioned on your bike. You have to get the right size for your frame, they HPx1 is the smallest, it goes up from there.

i got mine at wal mart ... ( * looks both ways and runs from thread * )

I tried one of those (well, from Target, but...) and it lasted three uses before it broke. :notamused: As much as I wish I could agree with you, I'm afraid I can't.

Zefal HpX is the frame pump of choice and they come in different sizes to fit different size diamond frames.

Blackburn frame pumps I'm not so fond of, and the neuvo Zefal is junk- its the HpX.

they are not soo ideal for commuting IMO as they are left on the bike and can be stolen or dislodge when you'd least expect it. you also don't need a pump peg on the frame to secure a frame pump but it is a nice added security.... i usually add a low profile pump strap to secure the pump.


A frame pump is also essential equipment for Team Cinzano tactics ;) during a race....

Just wondering what to look for in a frame pump. Are they good or should I just get a regular small pump instead?
Is Blackburn Frame Pump good? They come in different sizes.

The Blackburn frame pump (FP-1) is an excellent standard-style frame pump. I used one for several years on my road bike that has 100+psi tires. It has a head that engages positively on the tire valve and pumps to 100+ psi (although it takes a good effort). The handle rotates to a "T" position for better leverage while pumping. It will mount to a pump peg. You'll have to get the right size for your particular frame for the proper compression-type fit. I recommend you also gett a pump strap for added security.

There are a few negatives. The head is made of rubber-coated plastic and can break if the pump falls off while riding (I know from experience). Without a pump strap you may get some annoying rattling. Finally, though it is a really good pump, you can pump to higher pressures with less effort using a Lezyne Nicro Floor Drive or a Topeak RoadMorph (I have those, too).

One of the best things about the Blackburn Frame Pump is actually Blackburn's customer service. It is awesome. Blackburn is owned by Bell Sports (they make Bell and Giro helmets). If your pump has a problem (as mine did) they will make it right. They FP-1 has a lifetime warranty. Mine fell off the bike at 25+mph and cracked at the pump head (my fault). I explained this to the customer service lady - and she sent me a new head assembly free of charge!

If you must have a traditional frame pump, the FP-1 is the best I've used (the Zefal HPX is good, too, but lacks the rotating handle and is all plastic construction - I have two). BUT if you are open to other alternatives, I'd suggest the Lezyne Road or Micro Floor Drives - they are the slickest best-made pumps I've ever used. The Topeak RoadMorph (or MountainMorph) is a cheaper version with plastic construction, a shorter hose, and fiddly chuck - but they're OK, too. Any of these will pump to high pressure with less effort.

Hope this helps. Let us know what you decide to get.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1031044_-1_50000_20000_50004

Very stealable ($9) and works amazingly well better then my $35 fancy pump, only drawback is schrader requires some extra steps but if you have presta you are good to go.

the Zefal HPX is good, too, but lacks the rotating handle and is all plastic construction


Not Mine, I have two and they are made from aluminum. This (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sjscycles.com/xxlimages/1132s2zefal_xxl.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp%3Fpf_id%3D1181&usg=__6nIHL92MMg4SkDAy4wiONsidqsg=&h=1831&w=1800&sz=114&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=fIM58YuqRciKEM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=147&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dzefal%2Bhpx%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1) is the style that I am fond of:

$20.00 for a great quality pump.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk//images/products/1132s2zefal_xl.jpg

Not Mine, I have two and they are made from aluminum. This (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sjscycles.com/xxlimages/1132s2zefal_xxl.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp%3Fpf_id%3D1181&usg=__6nIHL92MMg4SkDAy4wiONsidqsg=&h=1831&w=1800&sz=114&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=fIM58YuqRciKEM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=147&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dzefal%2Bhpx%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1) is the style that I am fond of:

$20.00 for a great quality pump.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk//images/products/1132s2zefal_xl.jpg

I think I got my two from Bike Nashbar. That probably explains the difference :). Is that a metal head?

I have about a half dozen Zefal frame pumps and they are metal construction (including a classic, 80s era Mountain Zefal in White!!!)

still available from any bikeshop worth its salt or that can order for you.

my quick version

if you're forgetful, get a frame pump

if you have stuff stolen a lot, get a mini-pump.