Air Support
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 1,998
From: Atlantic Beach Florida
Air Support
Any recommendations for a hand pump (on the road use), not a floor pump. I have two very old pumps, one is a Topeak mini pump that works ok, but it takes about 200 pumps before I can even get about 50psi on the tire. And my other pump is total sh*t. It's a Bontrager Airsupport I don't think it could even get up to 50 psi.
Believe it or not, I've been blessed over the past few years by having my tires go flat once I got home. I can't remember the last time I had to repair a flat on the road, it's been years and that's why I haven't really looked for a pump, but I just get the feeling that my luck may be running out and I want good pressure on my tire if I have to do a road repair.
I ride about with a 700 x 35 (Presta valve) and charge the tire to about 75 psi.
BTW, has anyone heard of KuJo inner tube? I saw them in one of my LBS'
.
Believe it or not, I've been blessed over the past few years by having my tires go flat once I got home. I can't remember the last time I had to repair a flat on the road, it's been years and that's why I haven't really looked for a pump, but I just get the feeling that my luck may be running out and I want good pressure on my tire if I have to do a road repair.
I ride about with a 700 x 35 (Presta valve) and charge the tire to about 75 psi.
BTW, has anyone heard of KuJo inner tube? I saw them in one of my LBS'
.
#3
Really Old Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,638
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From: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds. 2019 Giant Explore E+3
Maybe use your pump to get the bead seated straight, partially inflated etc. and then hit it with CO2 cartridges?
#5
This hand pump works great. You twist a fitting on the barrel to switch between high volume (for getting air in quickly at first) and low volume (for lower effort when the tire is nearing full pressure) per pumping stroke. The link below is to an Amazon listing, but you can also buy it on the Crank Brothers website..
Crankbrothers Hand Pump

__________________
You are always the same age inside.---Gertrude Stein
My aluminum bikes: Light, strong, cheap, and comfy.
You are always the same age inside.---Gertrude Stein
My aluminum bikes: Light, strong, cheap, and comfy.
#6
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,370
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From: San Diego, CA
Look at the High-Volume mini pumps. HV as opposed to High-Pressure pushes more air per stroke but can only achieve up to 50-80psi where the HP can go to 100+psi. Most manufacturers make both versions and you will have to check their psi ratings. Lezyene, Topeak, CrankBros all make good pumps. Personally, I like the pumps that have a pull out hose rather than a rigid pump head as it helps prevent tearing the valve stem when moving the pump around while pumping.
#7
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Chicago area
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
And if there is a flip-out flap to place your foot on, it's basically a floor pump. The Topeak "Road Morph" is one of these, and also has an in-line gauge which is very helpful. I've gotten tires up to 115 psi easily and without ripping off the valve.
#8
+1 on the Road Morph, especially with the inline gauge. I've used Zefals, Silcas, and many others, but after getting the Road Morph, it's become by far the favorite on-bike pump.
Barrel diameter can greatly affect application and usability. A larger-diameter "high-volume" pump can fill a tube/tire fast, but require superhuman strength to go above 50 psi / 3.5 atm. Smaller-diameter pumps are easier, but as noted above can take eleventyzillion strokes to get to rated pressure. If you can, try before you buy. Or just get a Road Morph.
Barrel diameter can greatly affect application and usability. A larger-diameter "high-volume" pump can fill a tube/tire fast, but require superhuman strength to go above 50 psi / 3.5 atm. Smaller-diameter pumps are easier, but as noted above can take eleventyzillion strokes to get to rated pressure. If you can, try before you buy. Or just get a Road Morph.

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Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
#10
+1 on the Road Morph, especially with the inline gauge. I've used Zefals, Silcas, and many others, but after getting the Road Morph, it's become by far the favorite on-bike pump.
Barrel diameter can greatly affect application and usability. A larger-diameter "high-volume" pump can fill a tube/tire fast, but require superhuman strength to go above 50 psi / 3.5 atm. Smaller-diameter pumps are easier, but as noted above can take eleventyzillion strokes to get to rated pressure. If you can, try before you buy. Or just get a Road Morph.
Barrel diameter can greatly affect application and usability. A larger-diameter "high-volume" pump can fill a tube/tire fast, but require superhuman strength to go above 50 psi / 3.5 atm. Smaller-diameter pumps are easier, but as noted above can take eleventyzillion strokes to get to rated pressure. If you can, try before you buy. Or just get a Road Morph.

__________________
You are always the same age inside.---Gertrude Stein
My aluminum bikes: Light, strong, cheap, and comfy.
You are always the same age inside.---Gertrude Stein
My aluminum bikes: Light, strong, cheap, and comfy.
#11
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,472
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
fwiw, once I tried a cartridge inflator, I was sold. I carry a small pump too for "just in case"
#12
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,949
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From: Elevation 666m Edmonton Canada
Bikes: 2013 Custom SA5w / Rohloff Tourster
My best pump has been a Bontrager small floor pump with a clamp on head. Now discontinued. WTF. Way better than a screw on one.
What does happen is the screw on cap comes LOOSE. Simple fix. That's why it won't then do high pressure and takes longer.
Inside there's just an O ring with no lube.
Holding those other hand held pumps flailing in the air 150 strokes is NUTS.
What does happen is the screw on cap comes LOOSE. Simple fix. That's why it won't then do high pressure and takes longer.
Inside there's just an O ring with no lube.
Holding those other hand held pumps flailing in the air 150 strokes is NUTS.
#15
#17
Recently I bought two mini pumps from Amazon: Giyo GM043, and Kardne mini pump
The Giyo pump is small, but it telescopes out in two sections, so the pumping volume is a lot more than you'd think. Unlike a lot of other mini pumps with screw-on pump heads (which tend to unscrew the valve core when you try to unscrew the pump head), this Giyo pump has a lever lock pump head. It's just a great little pump that works well. Highly recommended.
The Kardne pump comes with a screw-on pump head which has a tendency to leak if you move around even slightly. Luckily it can be easily replaced with a SKS Presta adapter (also sold by Amazon) which is push-on. With the SKS adapter, this pump is pretty awesome.

Kardne pump with original screw-on pump head

Kardne pump and hose with SKS push-on head
I pumped up a 700x25 and a 26x2.1 tire as a test and it sure worked. It takes a lot of strokes but for something I only use twice a year it's perfectly fine. It's also the smallest pump out there. I returned the Giyo and kept this one.
Oh yeah- the flexible hoses on these pumps seem convenient, but they add restriction to the airflow and lead to higher pumping effort. Luckily the Kardne pump lets you leave out the hose and connect the pump head directly to the pump itself.
The Giyo pump is small, but it telescopes out in two sections, so the pumping volume is a lot more than you'd think. Unlike a lot of other mini pumps with screw-on pump heads (which tend to unscrew the valve core when you try to unscrew the pump head), this Giyo pump has a lever lock pump head. It's just a great little pump that works well. Highly recommended.
The Kardne pump comes with a screw-on pump head which has a tendency to leak if you move around even slightly. Luckily it can be easily replaced with a SKS Presta adapter (also sold by Amazon) which is push-on. With the SKS adapter, this pump is pretty awesome.

Kardne pump with original screw-on pump head

Kardne pump and hose with SKS push-on head
I pumped up a 700x25 and a 26x2.1 tire as a test and it sure worked. It takes a lot of strokes but for something I only use twice a year it's perfectly fine. It's also the smallest pump out there. I returned the Giyo and kept this one.
Oh yeah- the flexible hoses on these pumps seem convenient, but they add restriction to the airflow and lead to higher pumping effort. Luckily the Kardne pump lets you leave out the hose and connect the pump head directly to the pump itself.
Last edited by icemilkcoffee; 05-11-26 at 10:48 AM.
#19
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,164
Likes: 5,291
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
I hope someone starts making the Zephal HP/HPX again or a very similar pump/ Patents had to have expired long ago so I cannot see any reason not to copy them exactly. Those pumps worked. Really, really well. I lent mine to a skinny 40 yo engineer at a time trial 50 years ago and he had no trouble inflating both tires to 120 psi.
100 not so hard strokes to get to full riding pressure. I raced on air from my HP for nearly all my races; inflating near flat latex tubed sewups. THe HPX was a little quicker pumping, same effort. (The handle twisted to bypass the spring to secure the pump when it was mounted on the bike; making the stroke easier. Zephal then made the barrel a touch larger. But that did made for one more part that could fail. So I basically consider it a draw as to which model was better.
No hose. But wrapping your hand around the head, the rim and tire and perhaps a spoke or two was easy and meant all pumping force was opposed by your hand. And made on-off very fast.
100 not so hard strokes to get to full riding pressure. I raced on air from my HP for nearly all my races; inflating near flat latex tubed sewups. THe HPX was a little quicker pumping, same effort. (The handle twisted to bypass the spring to secure the pump when it was mounted on the bike; making the stroke easier. Zephal then made the barrel a touch larger. But that did made for one more part that could fail. So I basically consider it a draw as to which model was better.
No hose. But wrapping your hand around the head, the rim and tire and perhaps a spoke or two was easy and meant all pumping force was opposed by your hand. And made on-off very fast.










