Frame-pump, mini-pump, CO2, or ???
 

I've been out of touch.

Just getting back into cycling and have been revamping my gear and bikes.

I went out for my first ride in over 5 years :eek: this past Sunday. Man ohh man, where have I been?

Anyway, I always bring a patch kit and a pump, but me being possibly old school, what's the preferred method nowadays for emergency air supply for flats?

IOW, what do you bring along?

I have a from the early '90s neon yellow Mt. Zefal frame fit pump - anybody else remember these things? I remember buying it on the way out from a local LBS over a decade ago as an afterthought. If it was any cheaper, they would've handed them out for door pizes. Anyway, having worked hard enough the last 15 years I'm gonna treat myself to a new air source, especially sincethe frame fit pump prevents me from using the second set of cage mounts. So what do you bring along on your road rides?

TIA.

I always have 2 tubes and a frame pump with me. IMO, CO2 is reckless.


btw, welcome back.

Just picked this on up today:

http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/...roadmorphg.php

I haven't used it yet, but on last Sunday's ride two people got flats. One guy had a Zefal frame pump and the other one had a mini pump (I didn't see the brand). In both cases, they borrowed the ride leader's Road Morph pump. It took about 30 seconds to pump the tires to 110 psi. It's nice having the guage.

what does one of those cost?

I paid $40 (less my bike club 10% discount). I think I saw it in the Nashbar catalog for $30. It was worth it to me to get it ASAP.

I have the Road Morph pump from Topeak. It is really awesome, it takes me more than 30seconds (I am a little guy though) but it is quite fast and not too hard to get up over 100psi. I can easily pump up my tire to 120psi on the side of the road. It has come in handy a few times, plus it has a built in gage that makes it easy to know how much you've pumped.
It also fits nice on the bike (streamlined) and looks fairly cool. It cost me $69.99 (canadian $$$)

JL

I carry a spare tube, two CO2 carts and the CO2 inflator has a little pressure gauge. It is sooo convenient, fast, and lasts more than long enough to get home and reflate with air. I really prefer the CO2 now, because carrying that big air pump just isn't necessary anymore. I can easily get all that into a small seat wedge.

Besides, I look at it like this. I carry the bare necessities to fix a flat, make adjustments with an allen wrench set, and a little cash/credit card for a pit stop if desired.

For everything else..... there's a CELL PHONE.

My exact setup except for the pressure guage on the inflater. a 16oz CO2 put about 120psi into a 23mm tire so I went minimal with a small screw on inflator.

That's just asking for it.

My brother's been riding with and inflator and two 16oz ctg's for about three years. His average ride is almost 50 miles and he's never gotten stuck. My average ride is around 22 miles and I carry two ctgs and a pump. Ya, it's overkill but there have been a few rides that I've used up both CO2's and I know the day that I stop carrying the pump is the day that I'll need a third.

I guess I'm really asking for whatever IT is.
I carry 1 CO2 cartage with inflator and 2 tubes, you really dont need a gage.

If you use the right tire/tube and pay attention you arent going to be getting flats anyways. Ive goten 2 flats in the past year and one was on my sidewalk.

^ Wait, what's the point of carrying 2 tubes if you only carry 1 CO2 cartridge???

I carry a mini pump. At first I was concerned that it would take forever to get to adequate pressure, but it's not so bad. It takes a couple of minutes, but I can get at least 100 psi to get me home.

For a friend of course.

Also in a pinch I can get 2 uses out of one CO2.

you must live in Kansas.

We urban riders can avoid the random flat only by using mass transit. To suggest that it is operator error that causes flats is unfair and inaccurate. (Plus, if I paid that much attention to the road, there'd be pieces of Hambone stuck in the grills of a dozen cabs by now.)

For my 26 mile commute I carry at leat one tube, a patch kit and a frame mounted minipump. (Truth be told, I like that Topeak... My blackburn is slow.)

I have never carried a pump in 2.5 years riding average 4k per year. I bring 2 CO2's, tube, valve (no guage) and a small patch kit. Also carry a few bucks in case I need a boot and a cell phone. I have never been stuck and so far never needed the phone. I am a flat magnet too, I have had at least 15 flats in that time, never had one problem using CO2. Almost everyone I know uses CO2 where I ride.

I truly fail to see how this is asking for it. I have one brand new spare tube, and TWO CO2 cartridges, with an inflator. It is exactly what one needs to fix a flat. I even got rid of the little patch repair kit, because the possibility of your patch not holding is far greater than a brand new properly installed tube having a leak.
Besides, if I'm on a ride (which is usually 50mi or less), and I get more than one flat, then luck is not on my side for that day, and I can just call my wife to come pick me up. A stop at the local Starbucks on the way home for a Mocha allows me to reflect on the day, and plan for tomorrow. It makes me feel better too. :D


Oh, and for those wondering why I insist on a pressure gauge on my inflator. It is simple. I have found that even if I need to fix a flat, I want to finish my ride with 110psi in the tire just as I started, so I can continue my ride with the same intensity and not have to worry about pinch flats from 85-90psi only provided by a 12g cartridge.
When I use a 16g cartridge, I can easily get 120psi, which is unfortunately a little over the max pressure of my tires (116psi). So, the tiny little gauge helps me stop at just the right pressure, and I have a tiny bit of leftover CO2, but it is good to have if I need a little extra later on in the ride.

In reality, the gauge is not entirely unecessary, but I am a bit compulsive, and always want the pressure where I like it, even in an emergency after fixing a flat.

Op-
all of the above will work, but probably the best thing to start with (and over the long haul) is a good mini pump. the best out right now is the topeak morphs, they are a big step up from any of the others. the mini morph doesn't have a gauge like the other models but it will fit in a jersey pocket.
eventually youll probably want to try co2 which also works well, but practice with it before a ride, and always carry an extra cartridge or two.
get a cheap floor pump for at home psi maintenance.

I use CO2 myself. After you practice with the CO2 a few times it's way quicker than using a frame pump. I think I'm going to purchase that CO2 pump that also has a little hand pump so you can pump up the tube a little bit to test it before you waste a cartridge on a patch that won't hold or whatnot. I always pump the tube up a little bit before I seat the tire at home anyways.

Don't forget choice of tires and tubes for flat prevention. On a friend's recommendation, I've been using Conti Ultra Gatorskins. One flat in 2 1/2 seasons, and it was after I reused an old tube in a new tire. Since my "racing" is seeing how far I can ride before being dropped by the local club "B" weeknight ride, :) I don't need race-weight tires and tubes. I figure whatever time I lose with heavier/"slower" tires I more than make up from time saved by fewer flats. There are other good tires if you don't like the Contis.

I carry a C02 inflator, 2 cartridges, glueless patch kit, minitool, and a road-morph. I love the road morph. If you are going to rely on CO2, practice using it before you need it. I didn't. :( The first time I needed it for real (on my fixie/commuter), I didn't get the inflator on right and the bang! when I dumped the CO2 sounded like a shot! Remember to refill with air at home (CO2 leaks out).

You'll want a good set of tire levers. I prefer the Crank Brothers Speed Lever - fast, easy to use, even with stiff-sidewall tires like the gatorskins.

Cell phone helps, but not every cycling route has coverage and your spouse/SO/friend/buddy/whatever may not be able to come get you when you need help.

One more thing - especially if you are riding solo, wear a RoadID or carry similar info on a waterproofed card in a jersey pocket. I've had enough near-misses to want a way for the EMTs to figure out who I am and how to contact my family.

I also love the road morph, but I carry CO2 now - it is just easier to carry everything in the bag. Mini Pumps are worthless IMO, but CO2 is just fast... and if you know what you are doing reliable. I carry 3 cyclinders which actually weight as much as the road morph but is much more compact... and cleaner...

On a group ride I will sometimes ask if I get a flat for someones road morph if they have it... CO2 is expensive! Practice first!

As for road ID - great IDEA... I am not sure how my family would have known where to go when I was intentionally hit without one.

1 spare tire, 1 spare tube, puncture kit, and a Zefal frame fit pump under the top tube.

-a.

10 years ago I tried carrying CO2. It took me 10 tries to learn how to get the air to actually go into the tire, and months after that to hold it on well enough to get more than 90 psi. I also had a ride where I got 3 flats (2 at a time pinsh flats, then one had a slow leak later from the patch) and ended up walking the final 2 miles home. After that point, I carried a mini pump to top off after the CO2 and as a backup in the event of many flats again. When my CO2 inflator broke (started puncturing cartridges on the bottom before the top would go), I just figured I'd save weight by only using the mini pump. Besides, I need SOME upper body workout :D

Barbieri Minipump - http://www.excelsports.com/image200/...One%20Pump.jpg

Light and never have to remember to buy more CO2.

Excel sports has them, but mine is all black (I can't remember where I got it), which is slimming.