Joer

Folks;

OK, I took the venerable Bianchi out for a spin today, completed about ten miles and thought it would be a good idea to check my tire pressure (it was at about 85PSI..which is a bit on the low side for my tires...max=115PSI) so, I got out my little "Crank Brothers" pump.....got the tire inflated to 105PSI...and, in the process of removing the pump from the valve, I broke the part of the valve stem that keeps the air in the tire OK, I love PRESTA VALVES!!!!

Anyway, I had to walk about five miles to the nearest bike shop, purchase and install a new tube then, ride another five miles back home. Needless to say, I will not leave the house again without an innertube in my backpack....with the pump and required tools!!!! Ah, live and learn at 50!!!!

Bike: Bianchi Super Something circa 1981~86
Shimano 7 Speed.
ME: 50 YO, about 265 pounds...just started biking again after recovering from shoulder surgery last year (yet another story.....).


Later Joe (In Minneapolis...)

bautieri

Lesson learned, just be thankful your walk of shame wasn't longer.

ScrubJ

I've gotten to the point where I travel with two spare tubes. More than once I've helped a rider that wasn't prepared for a flat.

epcolt

Carry a piece of old tube to use as a boot if you have a sidewall issue or major blowout.

Tom Stormcrowe

Get a Topeak Roadmorph frame pump....it has a hose (No broken Presta stems). It also works like a compact floor pump!

jaxgtr

+1, I have had multiple flats before when I did not get all the crap out of the tire and I was so glad I had the other tube.

I finally broke and purchased one of these on Saturday. Going to play with it tomorrow to get comfortable with it. I think I might still carry one CO2 since I already have it though.

Richard_Rides

+1

ModelT

+1

I had a hard time not snatching the valves around with the "Hammer Pump."

The Roadmorph is good enough for week long tours, topping off the air each morning.

Neil_B

Neil F. and I had this problem on tour, as Natbla can tell you. Neil F. got a flat about two miles north of Frostburg, MD - in the rain about 6:30 PM. My pump chose this time to start eating Presta valves. Neil then discovered Performance tubes are junk. Natbla was kind enough to ride up to meet us with a floor pump, and we got Neil F. rolling again.

jakereed

I've been looking for a pump that I can carry on my frame that is capable of inflating my tires to 100psi without killing me.

Thanks for the info!

hammond9705

You really need both a floor pump for home use, and a small pump (or CO2) that you can carry with you on rides. Don't use the frame pump unless you have to. It's much more difficult to reach high pressure, and much more likely to break off the valve.

UniversalFrost

ok extra tube and get one of the co2 inflators (they make one that is a pump and a co2 inflator). The little frame pumps are hell on the presta valves and I have seen many folks litterally rip the stem off their tube while pumping. Me, i only use co2 and carry 1-2 tubes depending on the length of the ride. (also a cell phone a a $20 for a taxi if a really long walk to the LBS)

JOE

CliftonGK1

Road Morph-G. Just like the regular R-M, but with an inline pressure gauge. It's not as accurate as carrying a separate gauge, but it will get you within 5psi. It also doesn't take Herculean strength to get past 80psi. I've used mine to top off 115psi in my tires.

rainycamp

I once broke off a presta stem while practicing changing a tire.

I prefer CO2 cartridges with an inflator to a small pump -- I usually carry four in my seatbag in case I need to lend any out on the road.

DTSCDS

I have mini frame pump that I have not needed up to this point. (I prolly just jinxed myself and now tomorrow morning I'll blow out two tubes and get plenty of experience with it!) Anyway, I saw the CO2 inflator and picked one up with a spare cartridge. My question is, since I have only used my floor pump at home, how much pressure can you get out of one cartridge. I have 32's on my hybrid that take 100-110psi and 25's on my road machine. Can a cartridge develop this kind of pressure or is it just enough to get you back home?
Also, it seems like a pressure gauge may be a purchase I need to make. Any suggestions on which one? I have been told my more than one auto mechanic that the typical "pencil" type gauges are next to useless. Any good ideas for the biking world?

hammond9705

I don't use a separate gauge and just use the one built into the floor pump. Just fill the tires up every other or 3rd ride and you should be ok. As to the CO2 it depends on what size cartridge you got. 12g will probably not get them too high, 16g would be OK. With CO2 you need to practice a time or 2 at home in the garage anyways so that you aren't learning on the road. So try it and see. CO2 is really only good to get you home anyways, it doesn't need to be as high as you would normally ride. It tends to slowly leak out, and you will need to pump up the tires again before the next ride.