Topeak Road Morph pump - how to use it?
 

I was using the pump (TOPEAK Road Morph G Pump With Gauge) today, for the first time. There are almost no instructions how to use it.

After setting the pump head for Shrader valve, I assumed that I have to lift the lever before attaching the pump head to the lever and then to press it down to lock it to the valve (so the lever and the valve will be at 90 degree angle). It didn't work, I couldn't lock the pump head to the valve.

So I pushed the lever back, attached the pump head to the valve and lifted the lever up. This time it seemed to me that the pump head locked to the valve.

At this point of time the pump's pressure gauge was pointing to zero. As I started pumping, the gauge jumped up and pointed apparently to the current pressure of the tube. I continued pumping and it got harder and harder and barelly could get to 75 PSI. (I've verified the pressure with my old floor pump with pressure gauge.)

Now, I'm reading reviews of the pump on Amazon. I'm not sure if he's right, but this is what he writes (the second review, "Some extra documentation for newbies, December 26, 2007"):

"loosen the cap on the pump head part-way, let it sit on the tire's metal valve. Press down a little bit so that the valve goes into the tube a little bit. Then, counter-intuitively, screw the cap back up into the head assembly.

Now push the black lever at the back of the pump head so that it snaps into place at a 90 degree angle to the plane of valve.

This procedure gets you a tight join/seal between the tire valve and pump head. You are ready to pump!

To disengage, I found it easier to first unscrew the cap on the pump head till it came off the pump head and dropped onto the valve. This way there was less leakage when I unlocked the lever, and pulled off the rubber piece from the tire valve."


First, is that the right procedure?

Second, do I lock the pump head to the valve by pushing the lever down (so it it's at 90 degree angle to the valve plane), as he describes it?

Thanks in advance!

seems weird, I didn't have to do anything like that, and I'm pushing 110-120, but I have yet to use it on a shrader valve, ill try it on my old tires when I get home and report back.

you lift the lever to tighten the valve o-ring.

lifting the lever squeezes the rubber o-ring, essentially constricting the valve so it holds.

there's also a foot peg so you can step on it and get proper leverage, i.e. your body.

you should be able to inflate any tube to a psi equal to your weight.

So I had the EXACT same problem...when you first disassemble to head, you should have three pieces: the metal screw-top, the black rubber ring (large & small openings), and a small hard nozzle that's round on one side and with a nib on the other. The pieces should be in with the nib facing out, the large opening facing out, and then the metal screw-top. Then, push the lever down ("closed" or 90 deg to the valve). Now you're ready to put this on your Schrader. Once its on, pull the lever up ("open" or in line with the valve) to form your seal and pump away - if your tire is already full, its hard to tell if this works so deflate a little and see if the pressure get when you do this is accurate and then you can pump away!

All of this is trial and error on my part btw...I just did this successfully the first time just now :)

Oh and no need to unscrew the top anymore once the pieces are in place. Ever. He must be inflating something to wild pressures or not getting the nozzle on properly. Who knows.

The first Morph pump I got years ago had very concise directions and I haven't looked at the current ones. I'm guessing that whoever wrote the bit for Amazon had the head assembled wrong or works for a different pump company. The other posters have pretty much covered the proper procedures. I don't think I've ever gone over 100 psi with a schraeder but I routienly go 150-160 with prestas, almost as easily as my floor pump. Topeak used to have some really good mounting systems for the morphs, I'm not too thrilled with the current offering so I'm using a Two Fish pump block to carry below the top tube.

You can see the Road Morph in use in the video on this page. Lift the lock up. You need to invert both the rubber washer and plastic thingy underneath to convert to Shraeder. No need to unthread anything after that -- during use.

you should be able to inflate any tube to a psi equal to your weight
HUH??? The pressure you put in a tire is in PSI, pounds per square inch? And your weight is only in pounds! Given the right diameter pump you should be able to pump like 3000psi with one hand!

Done that. The setup for Shrader/Presta valve is the only thing that is explained about using the Road Morph (on the packaging) -- so I made sure I have the pump head assembled correctly (for Shrader).

The only other description related to the pump is inside the box and it only explains how to mount the pump on a bike.

Still, it was easier to inflate the tires with my HANDS, when using my old foot pump that looks like the one on the following picture.

Is it possible that the pump for some reason works better for Presta valves than for Shrader ones??

http://www.web2works.co.uk/joyrides/...gle_barrel.jpg

keep one foot on the pedal, use both hands on the pump handle with arms in isosceles triangle shape. no need to lock elbows. bend your knees and let your weight push the pump down.

if you are still having a hard time, lock your elbows, although this is bad for your elbows in the long run.

Maybe, I couldn't find any Shrader valves to test on, but it was pretty easy (albeit required a little force) to pump my tires to 110-120 with presta valves. I would take it back, get an exchange. It shouldn't be that hard.