road2you

so im looking into getting a frame pump.
i have co2's for my roadie, that i keep in my saddle bag.
but im looking to buy a pump for the fixed gear i commute on and dont want to take the co2s with.
im on a budget, and currently set it at $20
im looking at the SPECIALIZED AIRTOOL ROAD PUMP 2011 edition.

am i good to go with this one, or do you guys have any recommendations for me to look into with my budget.
thus far ive only seen good reviews, and even tho i cant find the psi it goes up to ive read that it will hit 100 and at least 80+

Kimmo

IMO anything without a hose blows chunks...

The notion of pumping up a tyre while the end of the pump is rigidly fixed to the valve is so broken and idiotic I'm amazed it persists.

Then again, questioning tradition doesn't occur nearly often enough and half of everyone is dumber than average...

dsbrantjr

I agree with Kimmo, although not in as strong terms, that you really need a pump with a hose or you will probably damage your valve stems, especially if you need to pump over 100psi.

I use and recommend the Topeak Road Morph G but it is slightly above your budget. The gauge is really handy and fairly accurate. It runs just under $30 and does Schrader and Presta valves. They have a Mountain Morph which lacks the gauge for around $25. They both claim 160psi; I doubt it but you should be able to get 100+ without much problem.

You might rationalize the money over budget by not having to replace the tubes you will likely destroy with a non-hose pump.

Homebrew01

I have had BAD luck with Blackburn due to their faulty plunger seal. 2 worthless frame pumps.

So far, GOOD luck with the Park Adjustable frame pump. It can adjust to different frame sizes so I can swap between mtn bike & road bike. Not sure the current cost.

I've never broken or bent a valve with a frame pump, You need to hold the wheel and pump as one, so they move together.

dsbrantjr

"You need to hold the wheel and pump as one, so they move together."

This is a great concept but easier said than done successfully, especially at high pressures. Given the increasing fragility of the valve-tube interface it doesn't take much movement to damage the tube.

Retro Grouch 

The laws of nature can't be violated regardless of who makes the pump. Max pressure is a function of pump barrel diameter and how hard you can push the plunger.

You'll be able to achieve higher pressures with a skinny pump but it'll take longer to get the required volume of air into the tire. Likewise, shorter pumps are handier to carry, but they take more pumps to move the required volume of air.

When using a pump that doesn't have a hose, I grasp the tire and pump together and brace the wheel against a tree or telephone pole when the effort that's required to reach the operating pressure starts to get interesting.

FWIW, I've been carrying Topeak Morph pumps on my bikes for the last few years. I like them functionally but I think they're ugly.

kmcrawford111

I'll join the chorus against pumps without hoses. They suck. The only one I still have is the one that came fitted on my Brompton and I view it as emergency-only. I learned this on a recent trip to Makinac Island - I didn't worry about inflating the tires before leaving, thinking "I'll just use the fitted pump when I get there." Big mistake - tore the valve. Fortunately there was a bike rental shop across the street and the employee who was a mechanic was kind enough to replace my tube right away. I've been using the Topeak Morph series for at least 5 years now. My newest one is the Mini Morph. It doesn't have the gauge of my other Morphs and the hose is a little shorter, but it's got what's important and still has the fold-out pedal - it's just right.

The best thing to do is ward off flats to begin with. I love Schwalbe Marathon tires - I've used the Plus model (26"), the Winter model (26"), and the standard model (27" and 16") and never had a hint of a puncture on any of them over some 10,0000 miles. All of the other tires I've used with the exception of Nokian Extreme have been a totally different story.

zebede

Yes,that pump is good to go for the rare emergency use you should see in an urban environment, from well maintained tires and good riding habits.

I have had two topeak road morphs , they both have failed and parts are difficult to obtain. I dislike the topeak even though I continue to carry it daily.

rdtindsm

I've used the Topeak morph and liked it's floor pump nature until it failed. Am currently using the Topeak frame pump, but I wouldn't argue against using a pump with a hose. Have never looked at one, but the pictures look like their volumes might be a little small. Retail on the topeak frame pump is closer to $30, but I picked mine up for $18 including shipping on that auction site.

Since the wheel is off the bike after changing a flat, it is no hassle to pump up the tire before putting it back in the bike. Put your index finger around the end of the pump, hang the wheel from the pump, and put your thumb over the top of the wheel. Brace your arm against your leg or close to your body.

edit- been looking at web sites on this pump. Am wondering about the ability to mount it, but don't have good pictures. I don't see any evidence of an effective way to mount it on the frame. No grooves to fit in the corners of the frame, no dimple for pump peg, etc. Using the type of holder that you use for a mini-pump would be a deal breaker for me.

shadoman

i have 2 of these in differen sizes:
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...23_-1___202561
ANd two old Zefal's also in different size.

Never had a problem with any of them.
None of them have a hose.

I'll have to try rdtindsm's method next time, but I've always laid the tire across the top of my left foot, and held everything in place between it and my left hand ( which is on the pump) . Never damaged a stem.

Kimmo

I've found that despite my best efforts with a hoseless pump, I can't guarantee I won't bend the little threaded brass whatsit... and I don't recommend attempting to straighten one.

And if it's bent far enough, it can foul pump heads and prevent the valve from closing during the upstroke.

Looigi

The one I like best is the Topeak Race Rocket or Race Rocket HP (better than Lezynes) . Hose, great chuck, lightweight and small. I can get 100psi with the RR but if you have less arm strength, the RR-HP may be more suitable (e.g. my wife uses the HP).