I am setting up an early '90's Trek 7000 MTB to commute a couple or more days a week. The basic bike is an all aluminum frame and forks with 26" wheels, on which I've installed 1.5" Gatorskin tires with street tread. The rest is all original Shimano components, well maintained, probably upper mid level in it's day. No suspension. I am the original owner.
I know enough to carry tubes, patches, etc., but what about a pump or pump system? I carry a short hand pump on my road bike, but dread trying to pump up a 26" x 1.5" tire to an acceptable level with something similar. I've tried CO2 and frankly got pretty frustrated and never used it again. I'm thinking a full frame pump for volume and maybe a CO2 back up if someone can recommend a quality product.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

I am on road bike, and I carry spare tube, and a small hand pump. The hand pump will get me up to where I can ride. Not full pressure, but I am riding. I am not with the CO2 either. However, Starting this week, I am putting a full size pump at work. If I get caught out, and have to change, when I get to work, I can pump up to full pressure.

The full size frame pump is not pleasing to my eye!! So, they are out the question for me..The hand pump is in my back pack too. It is going to come down what is good for you..

CO 2 for larger tires

Beats pumping in hot humid weather.


https://www.pricepoint.com/Brand/Genu...FW5o7Aodb38Azg

Full Size Pump:Topeak Pump

I carry C02 and a pump. I only use the C02 if I'm in a hurry or it is bad weather.

Although I haven't had a flat since I switched over to Gatorskins. *knocks on wood*

Check out the Topeak Road Morph pump with gauge. It will pump up a large tire pretty quickly and the gauge is very helpful. Can be mounted to the frame, bottle holders or carried inside a rack bag or panniers.

I keep a full size pump at the office and at home and carry small inexpensive pumps on the bikes. All but the cheapest of the cheap have worked well. They eventually wear out through breakage or seals going bad. I have found my 26x1.75 65psi tires easier to pump than my 100psi road tires. My next inexpensive frame pump will have a retractable hose and small foot pegs. My current inexpensive pumps have psi gauges. I mainly use the pumps to charge my AirZound 115dB bike airhorn.

+1 This^

I don't see it as a really big issue unless you get flats frequently. I use the mini frame pumps, Lezine and Topeak, either is adequate to get enough pressure to get a few miles to work or home. I also have CO2 but when I've had flats I didn't use it, so I don't carry them for commutes any more.

I ride a road bike and carry a Topeak pump that's bigger than a mini but smaller than a full-sized frame pump. This is because my frame is a GT and a full-size frame pump is not compatible. Thankfully I don't get a lot of flats, but when I do the mid-size Topeak pump works well.

You can see the pump mounted on the seat tube in this photo. Topeak calls it a "Speed Master Blaster" but it's not all that fast!
Rick / OCRR

I have two eighties Trek 7000zx that I use for touring and commuting. Conti Travel Contacts on one and Vittoria Randonneurs on the other. Great bikes. I'll occasionally carry a mini pump in a pannier, like the Topeak mentioned above, but only on really long rides. Knock on wood, just don't get flats with those tires. When I had Schwabe Marathon Supremes on one bike I got flats all the time, and then that little pump got quite a work out. I'd pump to 40 psi and ride to a place when I could use a full size pump or gas station (adaptor). Otherwise, I might a carry some CO2, again just enough to self rescue and woory about full pressure later.

are there any concerns with keeping your tire filled with Co2? meaning after getting home - is it best to deflate and re-inflate with ambient air?

Get the pump. You might screw up your repair and use up all the CO2 cartridges but you won't use up all the air. It's ok to make it a little one. You aren't going to use it often, so it doesn't matter how long it takes. The time you spend pumping is a rounding error compared to the time taken to swap the tube. Unless you think you need a full size one for the other traditional use of frame pumps, which is fending off pursuing canines.

I've had some trouble lately with 10yo pumps that are seldom used, snapping at the lever hinge because the plastic got brittle. I'd get one with a metal head if I could find it, or if it's plastic, carry it in a bag.