anyone using a real frame pump?
#26
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 32
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+ 3 or + 4 whatever it is now. I have one too and while it is an excellent pump, I ended up not using it on my commuter bike because of the possibility of theft and just one more thing to schlep in and out wherever I go because of that. I try to have as quick system as I can on and off the bike. On days that I use my Timbuk 2 Messenger Pannier I suppose I could stick it in there, but I already have a couple of CO2's etc. in a small seat bag. And with good puncture resistant tires, that has worked just fine with the "rare" flat.
#27
Senior Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,123
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From: Near Portland, OR
Bikes: Three road bikes. Two track bikes.
I've never understood the need for carry one. I mean why carry something all the time that's used maybe every 10,000 miles when a 16g CO2 and air chuck SL head will do the trick fine (keep in mind this isn't the touring or commuting forum).
Now of course, if you live somewhere that has tree thorns all over the roads and frequent flats, then sure. But otherwise flats are so incredibly rare why bother to lug it around. Funny enough though, my frame was designed for and raced by a pro team yet still has a pump peg. A little old school addition by Greg.
Now of course, if you live somewhere that has tree thorns all over the roads and frequent flats, then sure. But otherwise flats are so incredibly rare why bother to lug it around. Funny enough though, my frame was designed for and raced by a pro team yet still has a pump peg. A little old school addition by Greg.
1) I can't stand the thought of having n+1 flats when n = the number of cartridges I carry. That makes CO2 really only useful on group rides where the aggregate number of CO2 cartridges and statistics means nobody goes without means of inflating a tire.
2) I have some ethical issues with discarding a fairly large chunk of metal every time I have a flat.
3) The only advantage of CO2 over a pump is how it can speed up flat changing. Thus, I only use it on group rides where nobody wants to wait 10 minutes for someone to change a tube.
Finally, flats might be relatively rare, but they are fatal to a ride if you don't have means to repair. A failed repair, or a tube blown off the rim by the CO2 (happens often enough) means another CO2 cartridge wasted. I have certainly had multiple flats on a ride before. And lastly, perhaps you go 10k miles without a flat, but I certainly can't. At heart, I am still a Boy Scout, which is to say "Be Prepared" is something I've taken to heart. Don't play the odds unless you have to.
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Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#28
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,313
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From: NYC - where bicycles go to die
I just started carrying a Blackburn CF frame pump on my "nice" bike. It does not look out of place (I can't even see it when I'm riding since it is under the top tube!), doesn't weight much, and I know that I'll always have air. Sure beats having 3 CO2 carts clanking around in my jersey pockets (I went through a period of getting flats with alarming frequency earlier this year). I've only done a practice pump with it and it did a fine job. I think that once I get used to it the frame pump will perform better than a Road Morph, which I also own and have no complaints about. We'll see how many valves I snap off until then.
Last edited by lukasz; 10-15-10 at 01:10 PM.
#29
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,410
Likes: 188
From: Tariffville, CT
Bikes: Tsunami road bikes, Dolan DF4 track
#30
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47
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I have a Zefal frame pump I've had since I started riding in the late 80's. I just recently retired it because it didn't fit the frame on my new Trek very well. I still leave it on my old backup bike. It's always gotten me home.
#32
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,987
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From: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
I've never timed it, but it seems that most of the time is taken up by tube replacement. The actual inflation, even with a pump, is pretty quick. I've never used a mini pump, so maybe those take forever.
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Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
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#35
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 475
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From: CA SF Bay Area
Bikes: 2014 CDale EVO, 2007 System Six, 2004 Litespeed Solano, 2002 Burley Duet
I have used a Blackburn frame pump for the last ten years on both my road bikes, held in place with a Velcro strap. I have eaten more than one free meal, when a rider has suffered an "N+1" flat with CO2 cartridges also.
#37
Senior Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,123
Likes: 4
From: Near Portland, OR
Bikes: Three road bikes. Two track bikes.
My experience is, with a pump, time spent with the tube is about equal to the time spent inflating. With CO2, time spend inflating is about 20 seconds and the rest is messing with the tube. With CO2, you can easily change a flat in under 5 minutes and well less if you are in a hurry.
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#38
Live to ride ride to live
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Texas
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
I have repaired probably a half dozen flats with CO2 and have never had a problem with it or wasted a cartridge, maybe it depends to the inflator that you are using. I have an Air Chuck and it has worked pefectly everytime. I carry it, three cartridges and two tubes and that has always been enough for me.
#40
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,222
Likes: 30
From: South Bend IN
Bikes: 1976 FRESCHI, 2004 Crumpton.
I used to carry co2 but hated them went to a mini frame pump but hated that. went back to a full sized blackburn and like it. it rests under the top tube. the only thing i dislike is rattling on chip and seal roads which are frequent out here. A little duct tape works wonders.
#41
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,125
Likes: 111
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
Topeak Road morph with gauge. As a side note, I helped out a few riders with the co2, even gave my extra tube with the extra long stem to fit his carbon rims.
When you're riding alone, it really doesn't matter how fast you change a puncture. The quick change thing is way over emphasized. With group rides, its a different mentality.
When you're riding alone, it really doesn't matter how fast you change a puncture. The quick change thing is way over emphasized. With group rides, its a different mentality.
#42
Senior Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,123
Likes: 4
From: Near Portland, OR
Bikes: Three road bikes. Two track bikes.
I have repaired probably a half dozen flats with CO2 and have never had a problem with it or wasted a cartridge, maybe it depends to the inflator that you are using. I have an Air Chuck and it has worked pefectly everytime. I carry it, three cartridges and two tubes and that has always been enough for me.
And, FWIW, three cartridges and the Air Chuck has got to weigh about as much as a decent minipump. (I have both, when I am worried about weight, or on one of my carbon bikes, I carry a minipump.)
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#43
While there was nothing cooler than a Silca Impero back in the day, I now use Co2 and a mini-pump backup. The main reason is the Road Morph is too big, never really mounted out of the way very well, and the Co2/mini-pump all packages up more nicely.







