Need a new mini pump...suggestions?

lismore7 · 01-04-2014 9:47pm #1

Looking to buy a new mini pump to carry on bike.
Have twice bought a cheapy BB pump and twice when called apon, I had problems fitting and pumping the tube.

Had a puncture out last weekend and struggled to get air into the new tube, then little lever snapped off and finally the handle came off pump :mad:
Thankfully a vehicle stopped and an unknown fellow cyclist hopped out with a foot pump to save the day

To the man in the black 4x4...I'm eternally grateful

Alternative mini pump suggestions welcome...

Diggabot · 01-04-2014 9:54pm

lismore7 wrote: »

Looking to buy a new mini pump to carry on bike.
Have twice bought a cheapy BB pump and twice when called apon, I had problems fitting and pumping the tube.

Had a puncture out last weekend and struggled to get air into the new tube, then little lever snapped off and finally the handle came off pump :mad:
Thankfully a vehicle stopped and an unknown fellow cyclist hopped out with a foot pump to save the day
To the man in the black 4x4...I'm eternally grateful

Alternative mini pump suggestions welcome...

I use a small co2 pump. No messing, fully inflates the tube in seconds. I carry two canisters with me on a ride, had to use one today!

no1murray · 01-04-2014 9:57pm

Ill second co2. Forget about mini pumps they will break you heart.

Pinch Flat · 01-04-2014 10:42pm

Topeak Pocket Rocket. Works up to 160 psi. Great piece of kit.

cassette50 · 01-04-2014 10:49pm

Lezyne Pressure Drive Mini Pump - great little pump and you don't need to have arms like Popeye to inflate the tire.

lismore7 · 01-04-2014 10:49pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Topeak Pocket Rocket. Works up to 160 psi. Great piece of kit.

Have you had good use out of it? i.e. Is it fairly durable?

lismore7 · 01-04-2014 10:54pm

cassette50 wrote: »

Lezyne Pressure Drive Mini Pump - great little pump and you don't need to have arms like Popeye to inflate the tire.

I just checked that pump out on chainreactioncycles.com
It's expensive compared to others but got a high rating of 4.7 outa 5 from 55 customers...suppose you get what you pay for...

Pinch Flat · 01-04-2014 11:05pm

lismore7 wrote: »

Have you had good use out of it? i.e. Is it fairly durable?

Used it last night on the way home. Inflates the tyre so well, I don't have to use the track pump. It's well made and feels quality.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-pocket-rocket-pump/

ednwireland · 01-04-2014 11:06pm

+1 lezyne

darkvalley · 01-04-2014 11:14pm

I have this one which I got in Halfords. Great little pump which I have used several times. Pressure gauge is not the best or most accurate though but can't fault the pump
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_700343_langId_-1_categoryId_212494

lismore7 · 01-04-2014 11:23pm

Thanks guys..all good sound advice as usual... cheers

The tax man · 01-04-2014 11:27pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Topeak Pocket Rocket. Works up to 160 psi. Great piece of kit.

+1 on this pump. Had mine since 2009 and it's still working perfectly.

Invincible · 01-04-2014 11:28pm

Have a Lezyne Road Drive Mini ABS (large), max rating 160psi, cost €42, comes with bracket, but lives in jacket.

pprendeville · 02-04-2014 5:09am

+1 on the Lezyne although I didn't like the mounting bracket that came with it. I used an old bracket that came with a mini Specialized pump. The pump was rubbish but the bracket was great.

conkennedy · 02-04-2014 6:44am

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Topeak Pocket Rocket. Works up to 160 psi. Great piece of kit.

+1

Wishbone Ash · 02-04-2014 7:35am

+1 on Lezyne

Niall_1 · 02-04-2014 11:21am

I've got a lezyne road drive and would recommend it highly (not sure what the difference is to the lezyne pressure drive?).
Personally I prefer a pump that has a hose as it places less strain on the valve.

Enduro · 02-04-2014 2:23pm

Cheap and brilliant, very comfortable to use, and pumps up high pressures easily. I find I have far less need of a track pump when I have this as my mobile pump. IMHO it is better constructed than the topeak equivalents (lasted about 4 times longer).

ford2600 · 02-04-2014 2:33pm

Enduro wrote: »

Cheap and brilliant, very comfortable to use, and pumps up high pressures easily. I find I have far less need of a track pump when I have this as my mobile pump. IMHO it is better constructed than the topeak equivalents (lasted about 4 times longer).

I have older version of this, at least 5 years. Had to use in dark at top of Comeraghs about 4 weeks ago, excellent

Unknown Soldier · 02-04-2014 8:42pm

Enduro wrote: »

Cheap and brilliant, very comfortable to use, and pumps up high pressures easily. I find I have far less need of a track pump when I have this as my mobile pump. IMHO it is better constructed than the topeak equivalents (lasted about 4 times longer).

That looks the biz. It has a foot stirrup, like a mini track pump!

Ordered one from CRC earlier when I was, eh... working.

G1032 · 02-04-2014 9:00pm

+1 on Lezyne Pressure Drive Mini Pump

Muckers · 02-04-2014 9:46pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Topeak Pocket Rocket. Works up to 160 psi. Great piece of kit.

+1 to that.

Pinch Flat · 02-04-2014 10:44pm

There's only way to sort this out - one team of topeak pocket rockets, one team lezyne minis, armed with nothing other than their respective pumps - Fight to the death

lismore7 · 02-04-2014 11:27pm

Decision made....I've gone for the Lezyny from CRC.

Interestingly, the vast majority of comments were either the Topeak or Lezyny ...despite the large variety of mini pumps out there...

Anythings better than my dodgy, none functioning, broken handled and low pressure plastic BB mini pump....

Pinch Flat · 02-04-2014 11:36pm

lismore7 wrote: »

Anythings better than my dodgy, none functioning, broken handled and low pressure plastic BB mini pump....

That's the key. I've been stuck in the middle of nowhere with a crappy pump. Having the confidence to be able to get you going with the right pressure is key.

lismore7 · 02-04-2014 11:41pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

That's the key. I've been stuck in the middle of nowhere with a crappy pump. Having the confidence to be able to get you going with the right pressure is key.

Sure is....
No point in bringing along 2 spare tubes & tyre levers etc, only to find your pump won't work :mad: and in the middle of nowhere..... never popular to ring wife in those situations....:mad:

smacl · 03-04-2014 10:45am

I went for the lifeline carbon mini pump which I've found excellent. I find it is much less work using the T shape handle on a mini pump than an in-line handle.

.ak · 03-04-2014 11:06am

Sorry to hijack the thread, but how do you know if you pumped your tire enough/too much? Is it worth buying a pressure gauge?

smacl · 03-04-2014 11:38am

.ak wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread, but how do you know if you pumped your tire enough/too much? Is it worth buying a pressure gauge?

I've a track pump with gauge back at the house, but IMO you don't need one with a mini pump on the road. Just pump it hard enough that you can't depress the side walls with your fingers (as the bishop said to the actress).

Ryath · 03-04-2014 12:40pm

.ak wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread, but how do you know if you pumped your tire enough/too much? Is it worth buying a pressure gauge?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/topeak-joe-blow-max-ii-track-pump/rp-prod4949

Get one of these or similar

Keeping tires at appropriate pressure for you weight is the best thing for preventing punctures and helps with comfert if you don't run them at too high a pressure. You should check at least once a week with butly tubes I run latex tubes though and check nearly every ride.

lismore7 · 03-04-2014 10:59pm

.ak wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread, but how do you know if you pumped your tire enough/too much? Is it worth buying a pressure gauge?

After a while you get to know the feel of your trye when fully inflated and as your only using the mini pump to get you home (after a puncture) being a few psi out, isn't going to do much harm. Then check the pressues when back at base camp on the big pump with the gauge...

Need a new mini pump...suggestions?

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