bccycleguy

I looking for a new mini pump and I'm considering a Topeak Micro Rocket (Al or CF) or maybe a Second Wind Road Mini. Both of these will fit inside my seat tube/post so they are out of the way in there and don't need to be taped/covered up to keep dirt out. I used to carry a long, narrow Wrench Force pump in there but I've switched to a Thomson Elite seat post and it no longer fits.

But how well do these pumps work? I have ridden home (barely!) with about 70 psi in my tire (700 x 23C) from a 12g CO2 so that is the minimum I want to be able to get into the tire. I know they make claims of up to 160 psi but how long is that going to take? Seems to me you're more likely to die of boredom, your arms will fall off or you'll break the valve stem off before that happens.

Has any one used one of these new roadie pumps and how well do they work?

allezsport

I have the micro rocket(AL), though I haven't had to use on the road yet (fingers cross), I have tested it out a few times at home just to make sure it will do the job before relying on it out on the road. My verdict? It works really well up to about 100psi or so, takes just a few minutes, 5 tops. Beyond that, it starts to become very slow and difficult to get to higher PSI, but still possible. But 100psi is close enough for me to continue and enjoy the rest of the ride, and its size can't be beat.

Now I have a question for you. How do you keep the pump in the seat post? doesn't it fall down into the seat tube and bottom bracket area? I am very curious cause I also use a thomson post, and it would be great to carry the pump in there instead of my jersey. Thanks.

bccycleguy

The pump only goes down as far as the screws that hold the bottle cage on the seat tube. My Wrench Force pump stuck out of the seat tube a bit so the post had to fit over it. A shorter pump may require that you turn the bike over to shake it out or alternatively you could increase the diameter of the pump with say a rubber band to make it stay put inside the post.

Strong Bad

I have 2 Topeak Micro Rockets (2 different bikes) and I have used them on the road.
It is not the most efficient pump, but it will get the job done. It takes a LOT of strokes to get to pressure, but you CAN get there. I haven't measured it, but I'm sure it will get to 90 or 100 psi.
I have floor pumps at home, so the Micro Rockets are only for "on the road" emergency repairs, and for that they are great.

biker128pedal

I have an Aluminum Topeak Micro Rocket. It's a cool pump. It fits in the jersey pocket or the saddle bag. I have used it once in the garage to see how many strokes I needed and twice on the road to fix flats. 400 strokes to 110 psi. (Fix flat. Add air to tube. Assembly wheel. Pump 100 strokes. Check for leaks. Pump 200 strokes. Put wheel on bike. Pump last 100 strokes. repeat as needed) I SHOULD use it to pump up the tire before using the CO2 but was too cheap and had the time. If I ride more than 40 miles I take the Morph. But I have to use my large package of wire ties to put the bracket back on.

For a small pump the micro works, 160 psi would be tough.

patentcad

I use my alu Micro as a backup for my C02 carts, and the other day I flatted - and realized I didn't HAVE a CO2 cart, so I had to pump the tire up with the Micro. It took a while, but after 300 or so rapid strokes the tire seemed to have 100+ lbs of pressure. Rode another 30+ miles without problem.

Does it work? Yes. Is it a pain? Somewhat. But most importantly, it works and it's TINY. Love it.

StanSeven

I always carry both, the Micro CF and CO2. I use the Micro to put a little air in the tube first and also to help find the spot on the tube/tire that caused the flat. Then the CO2 inflates the tire quickly and I'm my way. The CO2, with a couple cartirdges, fits in the seat pouch and the Micro goes in my jersey pocket.

johnny99

400 strokes is a lot. My Barbieri Carbone pump (59 grams, $30) takes 200 strokes to reach 100psi and I thought that was a lot. These micro pumps are fine if you rarely get flats (less than 1 flat per 2000 miles). If you get flats every week, a faster pump like one of the Topeak Morph pumps, makes a lot of sense.

biker128pedal

Nice pump but 9 inches long. Do the brackets rub large diameter tube frames? I may have to get one for my pump collection.

HillMut

I bought one a few months ago, works great for a mini pump. I had a crank brothers mini pump before w/ a larger diameter barrel, that thing sucked compared to the topeak.
I should add, I never use it to pump as high as 100psi, only to ~70, then I stop at the next gas station and use a presta/shreder adapter to finish it up w/ their air compressor. This works good, and if it matters...its pretty light pump.

patentcad

The Micro is a BACKUP TO YOUR C02 CARTS boys. And for that it's outstanding. Fits in a spare water bottle. Smallest pump on the market. If I can pump a tire up in less than 10 mins. on the rare occasions when I need it (once so far in two years) it's GREAT.