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Frame Pump

Old 04-23-15 | 05:08 PM
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Frame Pump

On the way to work today, I had a flat. No big deal, it happens. Everything went well until I pumped up the tire. The frame pump (Blackburn) would only pump up to about 75 PSI. The tire is rated at 110 PSI. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get any more air into the tube. Yes, I'm no Girly Man, Hans. LOL Does anyone know who makes a good reliable frame pump that will get to the 110 PSI I need for these tires?
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Old 04-23-15 | 05:26 PM
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First,any small pump is going to suck when it comes to high pressure or large volume,it's just nature of the beast. As for a good pump,Topeak's Morph series aren't frame pumps,but can be mounted to the bike,and work pretty well. The T handle and hose make them easier to use than stick pumps that have to be held on the valve. They will do 100+,but it helps with comfort to wear a glove when pumping.
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Old 04-23-15 | 05:30 PM
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Been using Topeak Morph series pumps for several years.
100 easy pump strokes gets you 100 PSI. Best pump I've had in over 300,000 miles of cycling.
Pedal on!
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Old 04-23-15 | 06:10 PM
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I like Lezyne pumps.
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Old 04-23-15 | 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Colorado Kid
On the way to work today, I had a flat. No big deal, it happens. Everything went well until I pumped up the tire. The frame pump (Blackburn) would only pump up to about 75 PSI. The tire is rated at 110 PSI. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get any more air into the tube. Yes, I'm no Girly Man, Hans. LOL Does anyone know who makes a good reliable frame pump that will get to the 110 PSI I need for these tires?
Just because the tire can hold 110 psi, doesn't mean it needs it.
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Old 04-23-15 | 11:16 PM
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The Topeak Road Morph, like people said. Or there's some other similar pumps as well.

75psi should be more than enough to finish your ride though. I can usually get about 60psi out of the smaller pumps, and it works fine for finishing the ride and adding air afterwards at home.
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Old 04-23-15 | 11:32 PM
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Frame pumps come in high pressure and low pressure models. Which model of Blackburn do you have? Perhaps you have the MTB model.
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Old 04-24-15 | 09:31 AM
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I keep a floor pump at work and home.
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Old 04-24-15 | 09:47 AM
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I have a Topeak Road Morph G that gets the job done quite well.

My only beef is the mount for it doesn't let the pump mount underneath and beside a bottle cage. Instead, it replaces a bottle cage, which is annoying when I want to go on long rides and carry two water bottles.
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Old 04-24-15 | 10:05 AM
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I've got a cheapy Target pump that gets me to around 90psi before my arm gives out. It looks very similar to the Topeak Mini Morph. With tires rated at max 110, you should be fine riding at a lower pressure until you get home.
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Old 04-24-15 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Squeeze
I have a Topeak Road Morph G that gets the job done quite well.

My only beef is the mount for it doesn't let the pump mount underneath and beside a bottle cage. Instead, it replaces a bottle cage, which is annoying when I want to go on long rides and carry two water bottles.
It's bizarre and frustrating. It actually works fine with a beside-the-cage mount - but one isn't included. I called Topeak and payed to order one and they sent it to me. I've read of other people ordering them elsewhere (though as soon as there's a source it seems like they discontinue it).

It can be done though. That's how it's set up on my mountain bike - a beside-the-cage mount like any other pump.

P.S. I have the road morph, not the mountain morph, not sure if it makes a difference. I think they're the same length but the mountain morph is a little thicker.
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Old 04-25-15 | 01:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Colorado Kid
On the way to work today, I had a flat. No big deal, it happens. Everything went well until I pumped up the tire. The frame pump (Blackburn) would only pump up to about 75 PSI. The tire is rated at 110 PSI. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get any more air into the tube. Yes, I'm no Girly Man, Hans. LOL Does anyone know who makes a good reliable frame pump that will get to the 110 PSI I need for these tires?
From the experience you had, It seems to me, you purchased a pump aimed primarily for fat/low pressure tires - aka Mountain Bike - they move a relatively large amount of air PER STROKE using a LARGER DIAMETER cylinder and piston (fewer strokes to achieve a given pressure in their practical working range, which for most males is 70-80 psi) SACRIFICING HIGH end pressures.
Road series pumps, designed for narrow/high pressure tires - aka Road Bike - in comparison don't move as much air PER STROKE, due to a SLIMMER Cylinder and Piston, In comparing to low pressure pumps. Needing more strokes to achieve the same pressure, while being able to reach 120-130 psi Fairly Easily.

Last edited by HvPnyrs; 04-25-15 at 07:13 AM. Reason: Aaarrrrrgh - Damn, overly "helpful" auto-spell
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Old 04-27-15 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulRivers
75psi should be more than enough to finish your ride though. I can usually get about 60psi out of the smaller pumps, and it works fine for finishing the ride and adding air afterwards at home.
This.

The frame pump is really just to get you going again; 75 psi should do the job...
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Old 04-27-15 | 04:17 PM
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The zefal hpx is a heck of a good pump. Bike Nashbar carries them.
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Old 04-27-15 | 04:19 PM
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I used to use a roadmorph. I came to prefer the park tools frame pump. It can definitely get to any pressure you want (well, going by feel, there is no pressure gauge)
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Old 04-28-15 | 02:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Squeeze
I have a Topeak Road Morph G...

My only beef is the mount for it doesn't let the pump mount underneath and beside a bottle cage. Instead,...
Mount it under top-tube?
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Old 04-28-15 | 06:01 AM
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Originally Posted by bikemig
The zefal hpx is a heck of a good pump. Bike Nashbar carries them.
Seconded for Zefal.

I ride my tires somewhat soft so I don't even need a floor pump at home with this.
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Old 04-28-15 | 06:10 AM
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Another vote for Morph pump. I got rid of my CO2 bottles after I got the pump.
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Old 04-28-15 | 09:14 AM
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I keep a floor pump at work just in case (also let all the other commuters use it if they need to top up). Just a junky wal mart pump but it gets the job done. I'm a fan of full frame pumps
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Old 04-28-15 | 09:44 AM
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I have a vintage silca impero with a campy head, which I carry mostly for show. And I have had trouble getting high pressures from it as well, although fortunately my schwalbe marathon supreme 700x50 don't need much (I can get by on as low as 30 in the rear, but the silca will get me up to 50-60 before it gets obnoxiously difficult).

One thing that can help just a little bit is to get the wheel horizontal, and the pump straight up in the air. Get the back of the wheel either against the ground, or on your lap, so you can use both hands to work the pump, rather than one hand to hold the wheel, and one hand for the pump. You can also get a little bodyweight into it that way, especially if the wheel is on the ground.

Of course, there's also always CO2, let a machine apply the pressure for you, you just let it out when you need it.
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Old 04-28-15 | 10:26 AM
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I have a mini-morph mounted to the frame of my bike. Love the thing.
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Old 04-28-15 | 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Just because the tire can hold 110 psi, doesn't mean it needs it.
Just so. Unless your tires are very skinny and you are pretty heavy, you probably don't need that kind of pressure. Frank Berto's tire pressure chart is a useful tool for estimating the tire pressure you need. Not everyone agrees with the specifics, but the general principle seems pretty robust to me:

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Old 04-28-15 | 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Squeeze
I have a Topeak Road Morph G that gets the job done quite well.

My only beef is the mount for it doesn't let the pump mount underneath and beside a bottle cage. Instead, it replaces a bottle cage, which is annoying when I want to go on long rides and carry two water bottles.
Topeak does have a bottle mount, that mounts to the side of a bottle holder. Works great.
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Old 04-28-15 | 01:12 PM
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I'm just glad to have enough air in my tire to ride after getting a flat, I don't really care whether the pressure is lower than normal. There is a bike shop near work, and a couple half way to work, so at most I'll ride a few miles before topping off.
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Old 04-28-15 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by rhm
Just so. Unless your tires are very skinny and you are pretty heavy, you probably don't need that kind of pressure. Frank Berto's tire pressure chart is a useful tool for estimating the tire pressure you need. Not everyone agrees with the specifics, but the general principle seems pretty robust to me:
And if that gold-standard chart doesn't reach the tire widths you are interested in, you might give a try to my attempt to capture the essence of the chart in a formula, to apply to any values of load/width.
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