Need a decent pump for my bag

The_B_Man

Hi,

I cycle to college every day and seem to get a puncture every few weeks. I've come to the conclusion that its because my pump isnt good enough and I'm pinching the tube. This obviously means that my current pump is useless, and can't reach the recommended psi for what I need.

So, I was looking around for a proper pump that I can stick in my bag and use as needed. I found this one, which looks OK, but since I don't know anything about pumps (made obvious by my previous pump choice) I was wondering if anyone knows of a good pump I can get at a cheap price. I suppose I don't need a gauge on it, but its preferable.

I found this online: Topeak Mini DX Master Blaster Pump with Gauge. Is this any good? Is Wiggle any good?

I'm sick of changing my back tube so any advice appreciated!

kenmc

get a track pump first

eoglyn

+1 on the floor pump, you need one as it almost impossible to get the required psi from a hand pump, they are really just for the side of the road to get you about for the rest of the day. so the one you have is probably fine for that job.

Wiggle is good yes, but with everything it pays to shop around. I was lucky and got this floor floor pump from wiggle just after christmas for €14
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-high-pressure-floor-pump/
There might be better options at the current price of €28 - that model is absolutely fine and i would recommend it at the price i got it at but it doesn't quite grip the tube valve quite as well as other pumps i have tried.

The_B_Man

eoglyn wrote: »

+1 on the floor pump, you need one as it almost impossible to get the required psi from a hand pump, they are really just for the side of the road to get you about for the rest of the day. so the one you have is probably fine for that job.

Wiggle is good yes, but with everything it pays to shop around. I was lucky and got this floor floor pump from wiggle just after christmas for €14
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-high-pressure-floor-pump/
There might be better options at the current price of €28 - that model is absolutely fine and i would recommend it at the price i got it at but it doesn't quite grip the tube valve quite as well as other pumps i have tried.

RE the bolded part: The pump I linked to has a gauge. Would this not suffice in getting the required PSI? Actually, what is the required PSI?

I had a look at the link you posted. The reviews rate that pump highly. I just can't imagine where i'd store something like that in my room! Its looks ugly! If it came with a lava lamp down the centre, then I could probably do something with it in my room!!

not even wrong

The_B_Man wrote: »

RE the bolded part: The pump I linked to has a gauge. Would this not suffice in getting the required PSI?

I have that exact same model of pump as you posted and take my word for it, it's not possible to get a proper tire pressure with it (or any other mini-pump).

Actually, what is the required PSI

Check the sidewall of your tires, it should say so there.

I cycle to college every day and seem to get a puncture every few weeks. I've come to the conclusion that its because my pump isnt good enough and I'm pinching the tube.

The other thing that could be happening is that your tires are worn out. Are you getting the "snakebite" double-puncture pattern that you would see if you have underinflated tires?

Wishbone Ash

The_B_Man wrote: »

I'm sick of changing my back tube so any advice appreciated!

If your tyres are of different quality/condition and you can't afford to change them put the worst tyre on the front to make changes easier.

As others have said, get a track pump and check the pressure daily. Most tyres will lose 5-10% of pressure each day so you really need to be topping up. (Lidl will have them for €8 on Thursday but I'm not sure what the quality will be like - see other thread here).

I average 270kms per week and rarely get a puncture as I check the pressure each day making sure its around 120psi.

tomasrojo

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

If your tyres are of different quality/condition and you can't afford to change them put the worst tyre on the front to make changes easier.

Sheldon Brown maintained that you should put the best tyre at the front. If you get a blow-out -- which is more likely with a worn tyre -- you really don't want that to happen at the front, as you could lose control of the bike.

Wishbone Ash

tomasrojo wrote: »

Sheldon Brown maintained that you should put the best tyre at the front. If you get a blow-out -- which is more likely with a worn tyre -- you really don't want that to happen at the front, as you could lose control of the bike.

Point taken but an urban commute to college would be totally different to racing down a steep decent in the Wicklow mountains.

colm_gti

Where are you in college? I think some bike shops have a track pump they let passers by use (the one in UCD does anyway), you could use one of them every few days to make sure you have the correct pressure, but you'll benefit hugely from buying one.

cdaly_

I have this track pump which does the job nicely. There is a cheaper airwave pump which gets 4* reviews.

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

tomasrojo wrote: »

Sheldon Brown maintained that you should put the best tyre at the front. If you get a blow-out -- which is more likely with a worn tyre -- you really don't want that to happen at the front, as you could lose control of the bike.

Point taken but an urban commute to college would be totally different to racing down a steep decent in the Wicklow mountains.

My one catastrophic front wheel blow-out happened on a urban commute. Doing around 30kph, the tyre blew (due to a cut to the sidewall the previous day that I never noticed). I weaved all over the road (in the traffic), hit the opposite kerb and swan-dived over the handlebars leaving about 10 square cm of arm skin on the road...

Seaswimmer

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

As others have said, get a track pump and check the pressure daily. Most tyres will lose 5-10% of pressure each day so you really need to be topping up..

Dont agree with this. if you are losing that kind of pressure then you must have very poor tubes or tyres. Checking once a week should be plenty. I pump to 110psi and when i check the following week it may be down to about 100psi but nothing like the losses you describe..

I do however entirely agree about the track pump...

Wishbone Ash

Seaswimmer wrote: »

I pump to 110psi and when i check the following week it may be down to about 100psi but nothing like the losses you describe.

It can depends on the distances travelled. What are you averaging in a week?

The loss is always greater at higher pressure. A tyre at 120psi will lose more (pro rata) that a tyre at 100psi.

Seaswimmer

About 200km a week. However I do change tyres and tubes every 6 months so they are always nearly new...

hardCopy

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

If your tyres are of different quality/condition and you can't afford to change them put the worst tyre on the front to make changes easier.

As others have said, get a track pump and check the pressure daily. Most tyres will lose 5-10% of pressure each day so you really need to be topping up. (Lidl will have them for €8 on Thursday but I'm not sure what the quality will be like - see other thread here).

I average 270kms per week and rarely get a puncture as I check the pressure each day making sure its around 120psi.

I bought a lidl one a few years ago. It was rubbish and bent the valves on my tubes. I buy a lot of stuff there but would avoid the pump.

I quickly replaced it with this, which is great. The only problem now is that my mates keep calling around to inflate their tyres and rely on me to bring it to races.

tomasrojo

cdaly_ wrote: »

My one catastrophic front wheel blow-out happened on a urban commute. Doing around 30kph, the tyre blew (due to a cut to the sidewall the previous day that I never noticed). I weaved all over the road (in the traffic), hit the opposite kerb and swan-dived over the handlebars leaving about 10 square cm of arm skin on the road...

Jesus. I'm glad you're ok after that.

I had to wheel my bike a short distance through town to meet some friends a few weeks back, as I discovered I had a flat front tyre when I went to unlock the bike. It was quite difficult to wheel the bike. I imagine it going suddenly flat while in motion really is no fun at all.

The_B_Man

cdaly_ wrote: »

I have this track pump which does the job nicely. There is a cheaper airwave pump which gets 4* reviews.


My one catastrophic front wheel blow-out happened on a urban commute. Doing around 30kph, the tyre blew (due to a cut to the sidewall the previous day that I never noticed). I weaved all over the road (in the traffic), hit the opposite kerb and swan-dived over the handlebars leaving about 10 square cm of arm skin on the road...

Cheers for that. I went with the Airwave one. Thanks for the advice!

The_B_Man

Got this today.

Stupid question but, how the hell do I use it?? I can't lock the pump onto the valve! There's something to do with the top of it where I've to twist it while I loosen another part! They should probably bundle in some instructions for use newbies!