Mini Pumps
 

The good, bad and ugly? Looking to replace an ancient Topeak that decided to retire itself on a ride a while back. Road only, training rides in the 2 to 4 hour range so small/light is good. I always liked having a backup to CO2. Gage isn't a necessity. Any recommendations?

I use this minipump/co2 inflator all-in-one. https://www.bicyclehero.com/us/genuine-innovations-secondwind-road-mini-pump-plus-co2.html?fee=4&fep=38968&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=USA&gclid=CjwKCAiAnsnjBRB6Eiw ATkM1Xqht3ib4JzaQeGVZrlygF0Oe_NRUSzSjW5-sMMCtcDJAGMvghHkUORoCk8sQAvD_BwE

I usually use it to get a flat started to make sure everything is seated correctly and then use the co2. I can pump it up to ~70ish psi if needed. Takes a 100+ strokes, though.

I've been carrying a Lezyne sport drive hp as my only source of air for a few years. It is 75g and compact enough to fit in a jersey pocket. It has a detachable hose that stores in the body, presta and Schrader valve and 120 psi capacity and around $20. I've used it on the side of the road a few times and I can fill the tire in a couple of minutes with much less effort then other mini pumps I've used.

Backup to Co2? Topeak Micro Rocket-comes in AL or carbon flavors. Super small and light about the size of a marker. I carry it with the bottle cage mount on one bike, or pocket it when riding the other. It's a big effort to get much over 90psi - but again if it's backup to Co2 that's still plenty to get home.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0227832368.jpg

I have a Lezyne Road Mini on my road bike. This is after ten years of using a Topeak Morph Mini. The Topeak was a little heavier, and at this point has been moved over to my hybrid bike.

They actually both are pretty good pumps. The Lezyne looks more at home on a road bike, and is lighter. The Topeak is a better design for ergonomics since you can press it against the ground. It even has a little fold-out foot rest, which is actually useless if you're wearing bike cleats. But even so, the design is great if you get a lot of flats. But the Topeak is kind of big, would never do in a pocket, and is a little too utilitarian looking for a svelte road bike.

Topeak RaceRocket HP. Best buy at only around $25, best ergonomics by far. Get the longer HPX version for more oomph per stroke.

Pros:

• It can pump to full riding pressure. Takes more than 200 strokes and some arm strength.
• Useful short hose
• Presta or Schrader with a quick adjustment
• Great ergonomics
• Soft, grippy rubber cover
• Rounded plastic end caps
• Smooth stroke
• Reliable -- I've used it many times for my hybrids with Schrader vales and road bike with Presta
• Lightweight and short enough to stash in a jersey pocket, or jeans back pocket
• Outstanding value

Cons:

• Valve tool is useless, soft plastic

I've tried the Lezyne and others and also own the Blackburn Core Slim. The Core Slim has a longer stroke but the sharp metal end caps make it painful to pump to full riding pressure -- same problem with any mini-pump with sharp metal end caps. I have to cushion the end caps with my gloves or a bandana.

No such problem with the Topeak RaceRocket. It's almost a pleasure to use, if a mini-pump can be considered "pleasurable" for anything bike related. :innocent:

Blackburn Core Slim pros:

• It *can* pump to full riding pressure. But it'll hurt.
• Same rubber hose as Topeak
• Useful valve tool, built into the metal end cap
• Longer stroke, a little more efficient
• Well made, good looking, feels like better quality than the Topeak (but there's no practical difference in quality)

Cons:

• Presta only
• Sharp metal end caps make it painful to pump to full pressure. Use gloves or bandana to cushion sharp end caps.
• Heavier

I paid only $15 for the Core Slim at the LBS. They decided not to stock it and were blowing out the few demos and samples they had. At that price it's an outstanding value.

But the Topeak RaceRocket HP is by far the better value.

BTW, here's the trick to using a mini-pump efficiently. I had to adapt my technique after I was hit by a car last year, breaking and dislocating my right shoulder. I'm right handed so that was a significant impediment.

Don't *push* with a mini-pump. Your triceps and shoulder muscles are relatively weaker.

Instead, pull using your biceps, pecs and lats. Keep the upper arm close to the side of the chest.

I braced my busted right arm against my side, with the butt of the mini-pump against my torso.

With the left arm I'd pull the pump stroke toward me. I let the wheel flop back and forth slightly with each stroke. With a lightweight road bike wheel that was no problem. It would be a little more awkward with a hybrid or mountain bike wheel/tire set. I hooked the forefinger of my left hand around a spoke to control the wheel. With a little practice it was smooth and less tiring than trying to *push* against the pump.

It's been about a year since my last flats, but if I'm recalling correctly it take about 200 strokes with the Blackburn Core Slim to get a 700x23 tire to 90-100 psi; about 250 strokes with the Topeak RaceRocket HP. But the Topeak was easier to use due to superior ergonomics. With both the first 100 or so strokes are easy. It gets much more difficult toward full pressure.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7a61fea890.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dc6f8bfe2b.jpg

Easily adjustable for Presta or Schrader

On the bike that I use for short training rides like you describe, I have a Topeak NINJA P as the backup to my CO2. I assume it sucks as a pump, but since it's a backup to my CO2, I've never actually had to use it, and I never forget to bring it since it's inside the bike.

I researched pumps after a failed roadside flat repair with CO2. CO2 is fine until you run out of cartridges for whatever reason. I suppose you could carry a bunch of cartridges, but even then when you are unfortunate enough to have that really bad day when you encounter more than one flat, you pretty much run out of luck. Besides the weight and bulk of multiple cartridges is not really worth the bother.

Now I pack a Lezyne Road Drive. Don’t need CO2 anymore. I settled on this pump because of small size, low weight (actually lighter than two CO2 cartridges and head), connection via small hose that stores inside, dust caps that stay in place, and I can pump up to my regular tire pressures. Also, the price was right. It does take 200 strokes or so, but it never runs out of air.

Of the many mini pumps that I've tried & use, this is the most capable for it's weight & size.

Not that much work to get 90 psi.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...47c356813d.jpg


I carry a Blackburn micro on my road set up- character building to get over 60 psi,

but it's 6" long, fits in the saddlebag, I rarely flat, & sometimes will be in a group with a better pump available.

interesting pump. tried to find it on the net using 'raceday carbon bicycle pump', but no hits. does this pump go by a different name? thanks

I have the Topeak Race Rocket and have used it 3 times after a flat on the road. For the small size and weight, I think it works pretty well. Takes about 130 strokes to fill a 25 tire to pressure. No gauge. It comes with a mount to go under a cage but I just carry it in a jersey pocket.

https://www.sks-germany.com/en/products/raceday/

It's on Amazon, but pricey, & don't see the carbon version.

Part of why it's good is that the ends are rounded so they don't dig into your hands.

I got it at a modest price through normal sources some years ago. It's good, but not 2x better than something else that costs 1/2 as much.

Lezyne

That's what I have and it has served it's purpose perfectly as I've never had to use it. :)

-Matt

This ancient guy will only ride with real full-size good frame pumps - Zephal. And any bike I own has to be able to carry one. The bummer for those pumps is not only do they have to pump my tires up but also the tires of others with more modern inflation devices that have either run out or worn their operator's arms out. (An older HPX of mine died through mis-handling on a gravel ride with a dozen others when there were many flats and my pump was one of the last ones still operating. It still pumped. I had to jury rig it to stay on the bike.)

Ben

Ditto, Ben. One reason the Topeak RaceRocket lives on my hybrid is because of the dual Presta/Schrader built in adapter. I mostly use the hybrid for casual rides, solo and group. Most casual riders still use Schrader, and my hybrid morphed from Schrader to Presta only last year after replacing the wheels. The Topeak is handy for helping under-prepared folks on group rides.

I used a Zefal full length pump years ago with my 1976 Motobecane. And my Centurion Ironman has the mounting peg. But I can't recall the Zefal being easier to use than a good mini-pump. If anything a longer pump stroke would have been more difficult last year when my shoulder was borked. The short strokes of the mini pump were relatively easy to manage, it just took more of them. And I wouldn't go back to an portable pump that didn't have at least a short hose rather than direct connection. The hose makes it much easier.

Has very little air volume, so you have a Lot of strokes to push..

Outdoor Gear Lab did a pretty good review of quite a few pumps.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topic...e-pump/ratings

I find their reviews to be unbiased and very accurate.

You gotta love a website which writes, "It doesn't cost much, but it doesn't pump that well either." :lol:


-Tim-

I've used mini pumps for years and maintained that they were fine. The Lezyne Road Drive is a particular favorite. Last year, I flatted on a ride with some friends, and one of them handed me his full-size frame pump. Whaddya know, it was WAY faster and easier to get the tire back up to full pressure than any mini pump I've ever used. I bought myself a Zefal HP (just about the only one you can get anymore) and it goes with me on all my training rides. A mini pump will do the job, but a frame pump does it with less effort per stroke and quite a lot fewer strokes.

I have the Mini Morph and always make use of the foot stand. It only has to hold the shaft of the pump to the ground on the upstroke, and let your bodyweight do the work on the downstroke. It's the least work of any mini-pump I've owned.

Is the minimorph the only mini pump out there with a side-exiting hose? ie. so that like you mention, you can use body weight/gravity to pump?
How is that all of the other brands that have hoses, haven't figured this out and have the exit out the end of the pump? Or, all of the other pumps with side-exiting air, don't have hoses (so can't reach a valve from the ground), and just the rigid clamp-on?

I vote Lezyne too.

I have a Lezyne Tech Drive HP, and it has been great! Worked well for me on countless flat tires by the side of the road. I have even rescued a random rider by the side of the road with it once that had gone through all his CO2 cartridges unsuccessfully.

Stick it in your jersey pocket or it attaches near the botle cage as well. The only downside is the rubber on the flex hose can get a bit worn out due to repeated use, so I had to replace the hose (but admittedly I was using this as my primary pump for a while, not intended for that).

The design with integrated hose is good, old school, more foolproof and easier to use than the type that clamps to the valve in my opinion.

https://www.lezyne.com/product-hpump...echdrivehp.php

A few data points...

Lezyne Carbon Road Drive @ 73g. Frame mount adds 10g

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3dadb86bb9.jpg

For the gravel minded, the HV Drive is 96g in size small.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...73f3cf092d.jpg


-Tim-