Longevity of Topeak Morph Pumps.
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,237
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From: Fallbrook,Calif./Palau del Vidre, France
Bikes: Klein QP, Fuji touring, Surly Cross Check, BCH City bike
Longevity of Topeak Morph Pumps.
Today's ride, I had a flat. Got out my Morph pump, which I have always loved. The gauge, the floor pump aspect of it's design. The design itself.
Last time I had a flat couple months ago, used that pump- thought it pumped sort of slow and ineffective. So I took it apart. Cleaned it out, checked o rings. Added very slight amount of silicone lube spray. wiped.
Used it afterwards, seemed it pumped halfway normal. Today's flat. It was useless. Delivery was a puny amount of air per stroke. Walked to a bike shop. Asked could replace o ring or something. Bike shop owner said no. Can't repair it, after explained to him, I liked it's design.
So I bought another style pump. Had a Morph once before after two - three years, same problem. Are Topeak pumps only supposed to last a couple years.? If so, Disappointing.
Last time I had a flat couple months ago, used that pump- thought it pumped sort of slow and ineffective. So I took it apart. Cleaned it out, checked o rings. Added very slight amount of silicone lube spray. wiped.
Used it afterwards, seemed it pumped halfway normal. Today's flat. It was useless. Delivery was a puny amount of air per stroke. Walked to a bike shop. Asked could replace o ring or something. Bike shop owner said no. Can't repair it, after explained to him, I liked it's design.
So I bought another style pump. Had a Morph once before after two - three years, same problem. Are Topeak pumps only supposed to last a couple years.? If so, Disappointing.
#2
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
My oldest road morph is going on 3 years...no problems so far.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Depending on where they are mounted and what kind of weather you ride in, what kills frame and mini-pumps is water. Rain and tire spray gets into the interior and corrodes the barrel and/or rusts the ball checks.
I've had a couple of pumps refuse to work until I replaced the rusty check ball with a new one. These are usually a 3/16" bearing ball so any bike mechanic should have a few around.
I've had a couple of pumps refuse to work until I replaced the rusty check ball with a new one. These are usually a 3/16" bearing ball so any bike mechanic should have a few around.
#5
MTWThFMuter

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 457
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From: SFOBayArea, CA
Bikes: schwinn, raleigh, 'dale, litespeed, bianchi, surly, novara, brompton
I've had mine for 3 years. Works just like the first time I used it. One thing though, I never mounted it on the frame, it's stored inside my backpack.
#6
Roadkill
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 858
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From: East Tennessee
Bikes: 2002 Lightspeed Classic; 2010 Pedalforce RS
I've got a similar Topeak model before they called it the morph. I think it's probably the same, mine has a gauge in the flexible hose and a little foot pad. I've had it about 5 years. Last year it got a hole at the thinnest point in the tube where they cut the threads for the end piece. A tiny dab of epoxy made it good to go (after I walked home). This was probably a unique problem, you mileage may vary.
#7
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,237
Likes: 75
From: Fallbrook,Calif./Palau del Vidre, France
Bikes: Klein QP, Fuji touring, Surly Cross Check, BCH City bike
It is probably repairable. Look at another shop for a ball bearing. Really, what is weird bet it has not been used a dozen times, do not get all that many flats.
#8
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Shameless Troll Warning!
Shameless Troll Warning!
Now see, CO2 cartridges will wait patiently for years, regardless of weather, and work perfectly.
Now see, CO2 cartridges will wait patiently for years, regardless of weather, and work perfectly.
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
Shameless Troll Warning!
Now see, CO2 cartridges will wait patiently for years, regardless of weather, and work perfectly.
Now see, CO2 cartridges will wait patiently for years, regardless of weather, and work perfectly.
#10
Mad bike riding scientist




Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,194
Likes: 6,279
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Originally Posted by cyclezealot
Today's ride, I had a flat. Got out my Morph pump, which I have always loved. The gauge, the floor pump aspect of it's design. The design itself.
Last time I had a flat couple months ago, used that pump- thought it pumped sort of slow and ineffective. So I took it apart. Cleaned it out, checked o rings. Added very slight amount of silicone lube spray. wiped.
Used it afterwards, seemed it pumped halfway normal. Today's flat. It was useless. Delivery was a puny amount of air per stroke. Walked to a bike shop. Asked could replace o ring or something. Bike shop owner said no. Can't repair it, after explained to him, I liked it's design.
So I bought another style pump. Had a Morph once before after two - three years, same problem. Are Topeak pumps only supposed to last a couple years.? If so, Disappointing.
Last time I had a flat couple months ago, used that pump- thought it pumped sort of slow and ineffective. So I took it apart. Cleaned it out, checked o rings. Added very slight amount of silicone lube spray. wiped.
Used it afterwards, seemed it pumped halfway normal. Today's flat. It was useless. Delivery was a puny amount of air per stroke. Walked to a bike shop. Asked could replace o ring or something. Bike shop owner said no. Can't repair it, after explained to him, I liked it's design.
So I bought another style pump. Had a Morph once before after two - three years, same problem. Are Topeak pumps only supposed to last a couple years.? If so, Disappointing.
). I suspect that you may have swollen the o-rings with the silicone spray...grease works best. However the o-rings are standard size and should be easy to replace. You just need to match the size. I'm lucky in that we have a place here in Denver called Rocket Seals that sells any kind of o-ring in any size made of any material and I can run down there. You may have to look around some. Find a good hardware store or contact Topeak.
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Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#11
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 81
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From: Boston
Bikes: Too numerous to note
Mine works fine. I mount it under the down tube, right in the path of front wheel spray (despite a fender and mudflap) so I bought some clear heat shrinkwrap film on EBay in 4 inch size (there is a seller who sells it in ten foot lengths), sealed the pump inside the shrinkwrap, and essentially waterproofed it. If I use it, I just peel off the shrinkwrap and then replace it after the ride.
#12
My suggestion......thoroughly cover the pump valve head with electrical tape and leave it there until you need it. It keeps the head clean, and water and moisture out. Since the tape is black it doesn't look junky.
When you need it, just tear the tape off and use the pump on the road. Replace the tape the next time you are home and tuning up the bike. I have several Morphs on my bikes. I use a floor pump around the house for pumping up before rides, but keep a morph on each bike.
When you need it, just tear the tape off and use the pump on the road. Replace the tape the next time you are home and tuning up the bike. I have several Morphs on my bikes. I use a floor pump around the house for pumping up before rides, but keep a morph on each bike.
#13
Mad bike riding scientist




Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,194
Likes: 6,279
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Originally Posted by Vieja Cabra
My suggestion......thoroughly cover the pump valve head with electrical tape and leave it there until you need it. It keeps the head clean, and water and moisture out. Since the tape is black it doesn't look junky.
When you need it, just tear the tape off and use the pump on the road. Replace the tape the next time you are home and tuning up the bike. I have several Morphs on my bikes. I use a floor pump around the house for pumping up before rides, but keep a morph on each bike.
When you need it, just tear the tape off and use the pump on the road. Replace the tape the next time you are home and tuning up the bike. I have several Morphs on my bikes. I use a floor pump around the house for pumping up before rides, but keep a morph on each bike.
Sealing the head probably won't do much. You need to seal the body if the pump is in the gunk (I mount mine under the top tube to avoid the whole problem
). To seal the body, cut a piece of old tube, slide it over the handle and the upper part of the tube. Sealed enough to keep the big chunks out.
__________________
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!





