Hello,

I am new to cycling; about 2 months in.
My LBS discourages buying a mini pump and suggested a CO2 head/canisters which I purchased; but I really don't feel comfortable relying solely on CO2 since I ride alone 80% of the time. Can anybody recommend a decent mini pump that I can use as a backup? I am willing to spend $40 cdn; and if you could suggest an online vendor that ships to Canada.
I have read every thread about mini pumps and CO2 and I know that most say mini pumps suck, but I am hoping for people with decent experiences with their pumps.

Thanks in advance

Mini pumps don't suck, they are a tool. In the right circumstances they are life savers. If you want to use one to top your tires up to 140psi before each ride, well pick another tool.

There are quite a few 2 in 1 mini pump and CO2 inflators around now. I've got a Genuine Innovations one, its good. CO2 works, pump gets me to about 70-80psi which is fine to limp home in a pinch. Lezyne do one, Topeak etc

Any LBS that tells you to rely solely on CO2 .... run far far away from, it's just junk advice. Having to call your wife, 80k from home begging her to drive a couple of hours to pick you up cause you're on your second or third flat of the day and have no more CO2 refills left. Well you can do your own math, of course your Mrs may be far more understanding than mine.

I have relied only on CO2 until this last metric century. I had three flats and ran out of co2 cartridges. a mini pump and I would have been ok. lesson learned. (plus i was riding on last season's gatorskins, so the tires were worn out too)

Lezyne mini pump

I only carry a CO2 and 3 cartridges. I haven't had 3 flats in a year. If i was concerned with flats I would carry. More cartridges. If I wanted a mini pump I would buy a Lezyne road drive.

I used to carry only CO2. I had 4 flats in 1 ride when I only carried 3 cartridges, and another ride the inflator failed to puncture the cartridge. I switched to carrying only a mini pump, then one day the O-ring seal blew out. Now I carry CO2 with 2 cartridges and a mini pump.

Don't get the "90psi" Lezyne. I can get a tire to about 60psi with one of those. They make the best quality pumps, but that one is for lower pressure tires, not road bike tires. I got the "road drive" pump, which I can get to a reasonable pressure.

I bought it after a ride where I had 5 flats, and there were three more in our small group.

^ I have learned to never expect more than about 80-90 psi out of a floor pump, but that's enough to get you home. The only exception I know of is the Road Morph, which works like a floor pump. That being said, people with enough arm strength to bench press more than 100lb might have different experiences.

do you guys ride through scrap yards? 3 and 4 flats a ride?

or are you guys riding on junk?

Is this the pump people have been recommending?
https://www.probikekit.com/ca/lezyne-...le-pump-2.html

Topeak Road Morph G. Like a mini floor pump. Foot peg, hose, gauge. It works.

I have been riding (on and off) for almost 20 years. The 4 flats in one ride happened ONCE. I later determined that it was because the rear tire was worn too thin. I started replacing my rear tire more often and have since had about 3-4 flats per year.

I use a Carbon One mini pump which will inflate my tires to 110 psi with no problems. 15 years ago I tried the Co2 inflaters' and had many of the bad experiences described above. When they did work, they were fine, but then I am left with empties to recycle and new ones to buy. WHY DO THIS?

Because it's fast and I don't have the arm strength to get a mini pump past about 90 psi... and then I have to deal with the extra arm muscle I'm carrying around.

Carry both, use the minipump for when the CO2 fails you.

Thank you all for the replies.
As I mentioned, I am new to cycling and I don't feel 100% comfortable with the CO2 alone, so I plan to carry both.
Does the Lezyne Road Drive Medium fit well inside a jersey pocket?

Buy a couple extra cartidges and practice at home.

I carry CO2, and one of these tiny beauties, in case of emergency:



Sure, it takes 10 minutes, but this pump can give you enough air to get you home when the CO2 runs out, and it's the size of a cigar.

IMHO, C02 cartridge and a micro pump is the best of both worlds: quick fix for 99% of flats, and enough to get you home on the rare occassion you have multiple flats.

@ AndyK – which model is that?
@ merlinextraligh – which micro pump do you suggest?

It's the Topeak Micro Rocket carbon. They make an aluminum version for half the price too.

Blackburn Airstick SL. All you need to know. Fits in the smallest seatbags at 160mm (cigar size), Lifetime guarantee, rebuildable, inflates to 160psi and weighs only 58grams. About $30 at Canadian Sportcheck stores

Blackburn Airstik SL - Blackburn Airstik SL is one of the smallest and lightest pumps you can find on the market. A unique two chamber design makes for 37% more air per stroke when compared to other pumps at the same size. There is an aluminum barrel and shaft. The whole pump is rebuildable if needed. This is a presta specific head only. This pump weighs only 58 grams. There is a cage mount included. The max pressure is 160 psi. Comes with Blackburn’s lifetime warranty.
(Picture borrowed from Trisports)

I use this pump, which can fully inflate tires to 100+ ... looks like it may weigh a bit more but haven't checked and don't care.
https://www.amazon.com/XLC-High-Press...pr_product_top


Been looking to replace it though.. that cigar sized one looks tempting.

I have this mini pump from MEC. Good pump as a back-up.
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...34374302693749